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By Mike (@mike_languages on Twitter)
Ask Yourself: Where Did My Passion for Languages Come From?
Thinking back to the moment that started it all is a great strategy for when you’re feeling down, lost or uneasy. Perhaps it was because of your family or friends, or you just wanted to learn a specific language because you liked its sound and the culture surrounding it. Any reason is valid enough!
For me, there is one moment that always comes to mind when I think back to my first language experience.
I was 13 years old with my family on holiday and we were eating at a restaurant. I vividly remember trying to read a menu in Italian. Our puzzled faces must have been obvious as a stack of English menus arrived soon, but they didn’t take the original menus back. Being the budding linguist I was, I decided to put the two menus side by side and compare the vocabulary.
Excited about my findings, I rushed to share them with the table: “Everyone! Did you know that the Italian word for pasta is… ‘salsa’?” (‘salsa’ of course means ‘sauce’)
I continued until my cousin Angus smacked me over the back of the head and explained, “The words don’t just line up the same in every language!.”
Three Years Later: An Unexpected Choice
“You’ve got to choose.” I could tell the school counselor was at the end of her tether. I was sitting in her office looking over college applications since my graduation was nearing.
“Well, applications are due in two days, and you don’t even have a cover letter!”
Silence. I think I was meant to say something here, but I was completely stunned. She continued, “Michael…do you even know what you want to do with the rest of your life?” Now. I don’t know about you, but that is a BIG question to be asking on a Monday morning. Especially to a 16-year-old boy who had narrowly avoided missing the bus to school that morning. Nevertheless, I responded with honesty. “Not really sure Miss, but I don’t think it’s this.” I thanked her for her time, walked calmly out of her office, and suddenly a smile appeared on my face. I didn’t know what it would be, but I was now sure that I wanted to take a different path: learning languages and helping others.
While it might seem like a crushing experience, that meeting actually gave me clarity on what was important to me in my life.
Something I was actually excited about was the upcoming trip to Frankfurt with the German class. I was born in Viersen, Germany but we moved back to the UK when I was only two years old, so I was excited to learn more German on the class trip because I didn’t pick up anything in my childhood.
So even when things don’t seem to go your way, there’s still something to be learned.
The Importance of Remembering Where You Started
I regularly think back to that moment in Italy when life was simple and I thought words just lined up. Despite knowing now that languages aren’t that simple, the memory of that original curiosity helps me on days when I’m struggling with complex structures or essay writing.
That moment also reminds me to not over-complicate the process and to enjoy the adventure of languages.
Think back to times you were curious as a kid, hold onto those inquisitive feelings, and embrace making mistakes along the way. By doing this, you become invincible, completely immune to self-doubt and impenetrable to criticism.
We all learned our first language as kids so embrace that invincible childish outlook and keep hold of your innocent curiosity. It will hold you in good stead during the relentless onslaught that language learning can be.
Ideas for when you feel like you’re losing motivation:
Write your reasons on a post-it and place it somewhere you would see it daily
Make a journal entry explaining why you’re learning the language(s)
Talk to someone, either a study buddy or a friend, and tell them about your learning journey
Take a moment to look back and see how far you’ve come
If things are really tough, reflect on what could be improved and see what sparked your passion in the first place – maybe you can pick up something from there.
In the end, it’s always worth it. Remind yourself that, along with the reasons you started in the first place.
Personally, I love that light-up response when natives think they’re going to have to struggle through with their English, only to be surprised (and relieved) when I can meet them halfway with my little Portuguese.
I love that feeling of being able to be polite whenever I go travelling, when others expect me to be an ‘ignorant British tourist’ instead.
I love meeting friends from all over the world and experiencing their culture, their country and their humour.
I love the work opportunities that languages have given me.
Why do you learn languages? Tell us on Twitter or on Discord using #MyLanguageWhy!
Thanks for reading, and I hope you find and remind yourself of your purpose, of your “why” for learning languages.
- Mike (@mike_languages on Twitter)
About Mike
I’m a Marmite eating, downhill skiing, football-loving Campaigner (ENFP-A) personality type from the UK. I love working with other people and languages allow me to do that across the globe. I took my passion for languages into the military to get out and experience the world. After 7 years of serving, I now want to get out and teach others how they can broaden their horizons with languages.