The Highs and Lows of Language Learning.

Language learning is never a solitary pursuit, to consolidate your learning you have to practice and that means talking to other people. I visualise language as a big jigsaw and there are so many pieces to put together - so many at times, it can feel quite overwhelming!

One of the most important pieces though is your teacher, and this is great because we can choose the one that fits us and our learning style best!


I was a bit hesitant at first about language learning online, at the time I was living in Italy learning Italian just by being there and through sheer curiosity... but the truth is in real life no one will correct your errors. Living life in your target language is immensely helpful and frustrating in equal measure. However, it isn't enough because people are generally too kind to correct you or don't know how. Leaving your brave sentences of self-expression littered with errors. BUT - and this is important, at least you can make yourself understood and although it's easier said than done: we need not be hard on ourselves.

Language production (speaking) is a really hard mental barrier to get over... when I first starting living in Italy, my basic level of A2 affected my desire to go out and socialise. I didn't have the motivation to sit mute playing eyeball tennis across a dinner table all evening, trying to follow the conversation, quite often in Italian, Trentino dialect.

I wanted to tell the Italians with whom I spoke (and mostly listened to), that I wasn't stupid, and I found myself in many situations saying, sorry I speak like a five year old.
To which they would say TRANQUILLA! (Be calm, don't worry). But when I did understand jokes and things, I honestly did get this little firework go off inside me like YES, I am doing it!

Living outside of your comfort zone in a constant state of learning is stimulating but also very tiring, no wonder babies need their sleep - all that new information!


Since deciding to learn Italian grammar more formally with the consistent help of a kind and open teacher I am finding out that who you choose to learn with has a huge effect. You have get on with them, be able to laugh at your mistakes with them and have a fun along the way. It's teaching me what I like as a student, which informs my own teaching.




I like interactive speaking exercises that will engage me with the grammar rather than doing endless textbook exercises. There has to be a balance of correction and encouragement, and if you're having an off-day or something is new and, or difficult it can really make you want to just give up. And we've all been there right!

Someone once likened language learning to mountaineering, I don't disagree... it's a long, hard slog, easier to start than to finish, the weather changes constantly and you need the right tools for the job.

Someone once likened language learning to mountaineering, I don't disagree... it's a hard long slog, easier to start than to finish, the weather can change constantly and you need the right tools for the job.
Speaking of tools for the job. I am coming to realise although we live our lives online and it's very tempting to try and construct our learning that way we do need paper. Today my teacher sent me a PDF exercise that required rotating horizontally. The PDF programme wouldn't let me do it without an upgrade so I printed it out. My teacher and I laughed that in this way I could turn it whichever way I wanted. I could also write on it and it's been scientifically proven that you are more likely to remember something if you physically write it out rather than type it. Now I just need a folder to organise all the papers currently strewn across my desk.

Header Photograph - Rifugio Lavaredo, Italy, Credit Matteo Di Iorio






April 28, 2020
Profile Picture
$36
USD/h

Jennie D

security_checked
4.9
$36
USD/h
Flag
English
globe
United Kingdom
time
20
Speaks:
English
Native
,
Italian
B2
What can Jennie offer you? British English + B2 level Italian Native pronunciation + New Vocabulary Exam Preparation IELTS Interview | Meeting + Presentation Preparation LIVE error correction ( A great way to learn) We can chat about a wide variety of interesting topics like sport, travel - have you ever been to Kyrgyzstan? psychology, business and marketing. My personal interests include language learning, new cultures, cycling, cooking, hiking, nature, and photography. PRACTICE WON'T MAKE YOU PERFECT - BUT IT WILL MAKE YOU BETTER! *** English & Italian Bio below *** ________________________________________________________ I obtained my CELTA qualification in 2016 and have been teaching English for several years: mostly one-to-one lessons with adults and teens. I am a native speaker of British English and specialise in GENERAL ENGLISH, BUSINESS ENGLISH & EXAM PREPARATION. As a language learner myself I understand that the learning process is ...
Flag
English
globe
United Kingdom
time
20
Speaks:
English
Native
,
Italian
B2
What can Jennie offer you? British English + B2 level Italian Native pronunciation + New Vocabulary Exam Preparation IELTS Interview | Meeting + Presentation Preparation LIVE error correction ( A great way to learn) We can chat about a wide variety of interesting topics like sport, travel - have you ever been to Kyrgyzstan? psychology, business and marketing. My personal interests include language learning, new cultures, cycling, cooking, hiking, nature, and photography. PRACTICE WON'T MAKE YOU PERFECT - BUT IT WILL MAKE YOU BETTER! *** English & Italian Bio below *** ________________________________________________________ I obtained my CELTA qualification in 2016 and have been teaching English for several years: mostly one-to-one lessons with adults and teens. I am a native speaker of British English and specialise in GENERAL ENGLISH, BUSINESS ENGLISH & EXAM PREPARATION. As a language learner myself I understand that the learning process is ...
Mi vida antes del Covid- 19 (IMPERFECTO) A-2
Profile Picture
Alejandra Santiago
August 7, 2020
팔랑귀
Profile Picture
Abby H
August 7, 2020
The Origins of popular English Idioms
Profile Picture
Jen Mc Monagle
August 7, 2020