Learning a new language is a process full of excitement, challenges and small victories. There are many reasons to study a foreign language as an adult. You may have taken four years of German or French back in high school but and would like to expand your comprehension and conversation skills. You may use Spanish frequently at work and want to improve your business language communication. Or you may have always wanted to travel to Japan and hope to learn basic travel phrases before you book your tickets.
A common fear among adults studying a foreign language is that it’s too late and too difficult to learn after childhood. While little kids are enviable in how easily they pick up languages, it’s still never to late to learn, and speaking a new language can bring enrichment, joy and fun to your life. Language journaling – documenting the learning process, recording new words and phrases and celebrating your progress – is an excellent way to stay motivated along the way.
4 Tips for Journal Writing Your Language Learning
1. Record challenges. Navigating how to communicate in a foreign language is difficult and humbling at times. It has been many years since you were a toddler learning your first words in your native tongue, but now you may feel that you are right back where you started. Write about the tough moments, the embarrassing stories and the funny mistakes. Explore how you feel while you are learning and why you want to continue.
2. Applaud victories. Amidst all the challenges, it’s important to give yourself credit for even the smallest successes. If you call to make a hotel reservation in Rio de Janeiro and are able to make yourself understood in Portuguese, pat yourself on the back in your journal. If you are able to read a children’s picture book in Italian, recognize how far you’ve come. Focus on what you are proud of and don’t be shy about praising your accomplishments.
3. Keep a list of new vocabulary. Journal writing is fantastic way to remember new words in a foreign language. Keep a small pocket journal with you and jot down vocabulary as you see or hear it. Go back through old entries frequently or make flash cards from the words to keep them fresh in your mind.
4. Make future plans. It is much easier to stay engaged in learning a language when you have a concrete goal to use it in the near future. Make plans in your journal; if you are studying French, sign up for a conversation club or book that trip to Paris you’ve always wanted to take. Make it tangible and useful to keep learning and growing in your language skills.
Have you learned a foreign language as an adult? Did you use language journaling to help you along the way? Share your stories in the comments.
If you want to learn how journaling can help you tackle life's challenges and accomplish goals such as learning a new language, please download the free eBook, The Journaling Guide to Manage The Stress and Strains of Life.
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