Language learning is rewarding and gives you a sense of self-achievement that is difficult to surpass. Of course, there is the practical aspect of learning a new language as well: being able to communicate with more people.
There is no doubt that learning a new language has many benefits, but we also cannot discount the fact that it may be a challenging endeavor for some people. Just like with any other kind of learning activity, there are things that can prove to be a hindrance to language learning.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common barriers to language and what you can do to overcome them.
Fear
Fear is something we all face on a regular basis. It’s just the context and the degree that changes depending on the situation. When it comes to learning a new language, fear does come into play, although some students may not readily admit that.
Perhaps the most significant kind of fear in this case is the fear of making mistakes. What follows closely is the fear of being ridiculed. Or maybe the fear of being thought of as stupid.
Now, it is perfectly normal to feel an aversion for these things. Normally, however, one can simply shrug off the anxiety and plod on to reach his goal. For some students, the fear can become paralyzing to the point that learning does not happen. That’s when something needs to be done.
One thing you can do is to keep your mind on your ultimate goal: to be able to speak a new language. Making mistakes is normal, and while it can be embarrassing, it will not kill you.
Overconfidence
At the other end of the spectrum is overconfidence. Some people overcompensate when it comes to facing their fears. It is a coping mechanism, no doubt, but it may be the cause of not really benefiting fully from the learning experience.
If you think that you may be feeling overconfident, try to sit back and evaluate yourself. Maybe you can try to be more open to feedback and correction. At the very least, you will only improve and gain more confidence – the real kind.
Lack of motivation
This one might be the hardest to address, especially if the motivation behind language learning is an external force. Some people have to learn a new language because they need it to get promoted, even though they may not agree with it. Some people have to learn a new language because their parents are “forcing” them to.
In these cases, it can really be difficult to muster enthusiasm for the task at hand. However, I just look at it as a situation where I might not have a real choice, so if I might as well make the best of it.
One thing you can do is to find the motivation in small places. Let’s say you don’t want to learn a language, but you have to for one reason or another. If you like movies, why not check out movies in that language? That can help you enjoy learning the language more.
Learning a new language may prove to be a challenge, but you do not have to make it any more difficult than it already is!