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Viewing Language Learning - A Motivated Mind is a Disciplined MindLanguage Learning - A Motivated Mind is a Disciplined Mind
By David Bailey If you have ever had a hard time becoming or staying disciplined when trying to learn another language, you may have been struggling with a lack of motivation. Motivation and discipline usually go hand-in-hand in language learning because without motivation, it is nearly impossible to become disciplined. Ironically, once you become disciplined you rarely need to be motivated to learn a foreign language smoothly. Discipline is a willingness and commitment to do what needs to be done in foreign language courses. Without discipline, our lives would be in disarray. Think about the things you do on a daily or weekly basis that are required in order to maintain your life properly. Housework, laundry, grocery shopping, fueling and maintaining your vehicle, working, bathing, paying bills, balancing the checkbook, sleeping, and more are all required activities. Without them, what would your life look like? Why would it be any different learning another language? If you already have a strong sense of discipline, you likely do these things without much thought, especially if in a foreign language course. You know they must be done, so you just do them. On the other hand, if you lack discipline, you may find yourself procrastinating and putting aside the exercises and homework assigned by your teachers ... which can create a colossal mess if done too frequently. Discipline is required when you are trying to learn another language. If you do not complete the steps that will create the outcome you desire in language learning, you will not meet your objectives. When you first set goals, you may have strong motivation, which can help you gain some valuable momentum in learning a foreign language. However, ingrained habits and an undisciplined mind may eventually prevent you from establishing continuity in language learning. Without some kind of inner or outer motivation to study and practice, language students are unlikely to develop the discipline they need. In order to escape this stagnant language learning cycle and develop a strong sense of self-discipline, you need to get and stay motivated to learn another language! How can you do this? There are several ways, but here are a few to begin with. • Focus on the advantages of studying a foreign language. With every exercise you do, spend a few moments emphasizing the benefit you will receive from doing it. In order to get and stay motivated, it is crucial to have some sort of payoff in mind. Even if your payoff will come at a future time, remind yourself why your second language teachers are giving you this exercise. • See the big picture in language learning. Remember that this task is only one part of a larger puzzle. As a silly example, it is hard to get inspired about scrubbing a toilet, until you envision your entire home clean and shining. By looking at the big picture, each little task will retain a measure of importance in your own mind. • In order to develop strong discipline, you will need to keep strengthening your "discipline muscle" bit by bit. The only way to do this is to push yourself to do the things you have to do in your foreign language course! • As you complete each task related to your language-learning goal, keep affirming that you are developing stronger and stronger discipline with each passing day. Eventually you will find yourself easily doing what needs to be done and it will not be a struggle anymore ... because you will already be disciplined! About the Author: David A. Bailey, Jr. shares his best, top-secret, and little-known tips and tricks to learn a new language fast (based on 10+ years of experience) at http://exlsite.com. Article Source: A Language Guide - http://www.a-language-guide.com More free articles: 1st Rate Articles - 1stRateArticles.com |
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