The Frustrating Reality of Learning Languages – Tips for Retaining Language Knowledge
I’ve spent a long time learning a language, but for some reason, I can’t recall a certain word. It’s quite ironic how long it can take to learn a language, yet we can forget it so quickly. This is one of the most frustrating aspects of learning languages, so let’s look at some ways to prevent this from happening.
Tip number one:
In order to learn a language, you must be exposed to it as often as possible. Our brains are designed to forget information which is deemed irrelevant. However, the more you repeat something, the more likely your brain is to remember it. For instance, when somebody asks you your name, you are likely to recall it without any difficulty. Your name is so familiar to you that your brain easily remembers it without having to think about it. We want to achieve a similar kind of long-term memory with our foreign language, but the problem is that we don’t get the kind of natural exposure that is needed for this.
If you do not live in a country where Arabic is spoken, let’s say you live in US for example, and you wish to learn Arabic, you may be wondering how often you would need to know the Arabic language in order to survive in a situation in the US. The answer is not often, as it is unlikely that you would ever find yourself in a situation where knowledge of Arabic is required. So, if you are not getting exposed to the language naturally, it is necessary to create that exposure yourself.
Creating this exposure actually requires a clear system and willpower but to be honest that’s everything when it comes to life, not only about learning languages. clear system + willpower + frequency = success, that’s all we need.
Having a well-defined plan and the determination to stick to it is the key to achievement, not just for language learning but for life in general. Simply put, clear system, willpower, along with frequency will lead to success.
Creating a routine that exposes you to the language without making it a chore is a great way to get into the habit. To do this, I suggest listening to audiobooks, podcasts, or YouTube videos with closed captions turned on.
When commuting to work, the average American devotes 55 minutes daily. This is an ideal opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with your desired language. Making it as a habit will make it easier to achieve the desired results.
Gaining knowledge is primarily about absorbing data and then relaying it. Therefore, after every session, try to summarize what you heard in a few sentences. As you are aware that you need to summarize it later, you will be more likely to pay attention to the content of the audiobook, podcast, YouTube video, etc. You should not waste your commute time; make the most of it and use it to learn something useful like a new language easily.
Tip number two:
How do you usually pass the time before getting to sleep? Please be honest. You likely pick up your phone and, similarly to what I do, you may be viewing some shorts on the widely used social apps. The internet offers plenty of stimulation for the brain and don’t you think we require a little break from it? You have likely heard this multiple times in your life, but reading is a great habit for avoiding overstimulation that social media can cause.
With the overwhelming amount of information we take in every second, it’s important to give our brains a break and relax. Additionally, try reading aloud to reinforce your reading skills while also maintaining your speaking abilities.
Tip number three:
If you want to thoroughly brush up on all aspects of language, such as vocabulary, grammar, listening and speaking, daily journaling in your chosen language is a great choice. You can use Notes app on your iPad, or try Notion or a traditional pen and paper for journaling. It has many advantages, you’ll soon notice the mental clarity it brings.
I am confident that you will begin to appreciate journaling in a foreign language. Since you are writing down your opinions, you will become better at expressing your emotions and concepts in the language you are learning. It serves as both a means of communication and connection between people. Being able to converse about the weather or something more formal with perfect grammar and fluency can be advantageous in certain scenarios.
In order to form meaningful connections with people through a language, you must be able to convey your feelings and ideas. Knowing isn’t enough, one must also be able to express themselves and journaling is an ideal way to practice. Taking lessons with native speakers on a weekly basis is likely the a great approach as well, but sometimes it’s not accessible to everyone.
Journaling can be done without any requirements, since it only needs pen and paper and can be done anywhere and anytime. It can aid in mental health and help you progress toward your goals. Hopefully these tips have been useful and I hope you have a successful language learning experience.