Anyone else feeling kind of discouraged?
Hola a todos,
I was just wondering if anyone else is feeling a bit discouraged about your learning progress. I know I am. But I just wanted to know if I'm not the only one, I guess.
Gracias.
10 Answers
Its okay to get discouraged now and then. We all have periods when we think we are not learning anything or are not making progress. But progress, for me at least, comes in fits and bursts not a steady stream.
Try picking a problem area and concentrate all your effort on that issue for a few days until it starts to click.
If you feel at all comfortable speaking and have access to Skype then seek out a buddy to start talking with. I think that speaking is far more important than writing as most communication is verbal. Once you get started talking it gets easier. You will stop worrying about every little grammar error. I make lots of matching errors: wrong gender of articles or adjective endings, matching of plural endings, etc. In conversation it is not so important due to the rapid pace of verbal conversations. Many minor errors get overlooked as the message is still clear. Get comfortable speaking and then work on the writing.
Most importantly remember this: It takes time. Lots of time.
This past week I have felt some discouragement as well. I feel as though I am not progressing quickly enough. :(
I have to remind myself it is only temporary. We will all get through this together.
Hola KatRJ,
It's a very discouraging time for many people on the planet these days. Think of the Greeks, the Syrians, the Palestinians and the Israelis, the Japanese (Fukushima), the Iraqis, the Afghanis, the Somalis, the Sudanese, the Iranians .... not to mention the impending economic and environmental disaster of the infinite growth paradigm.
On the bright side, there are so many hopeful signs that people are waking up. Learning a new language is challenging, sure, but it is also an act of hope and even defiance. You are saying, "I want to connect with people who speak a different language than I do." Why? It's probably because you recognize our shared humanity as well as the interesting differences created by culture. You are refusing to sit in a cubicle or on a couch and spend the rest of your life doing and seeing nothing more than what is presented to you.
So, please don't be discouraged. It's hard, but worth it. You will find your groove if you keep studying, chatting, and traveling.
Chao, Robert
El enlace de arriba es para los padres y sus hijos, pero creo que las razones por las que nos desanimemos y la manera de rebotar están muy fundados.
Especialmente me creo que nosotros mismos somos nuestro peor crítico. Aquellos que se "pegando" son los que quieren aprender. Y al hacer que nos olvidemos de los pequeños pasos que hemos logrado.
Por favor, corrija mi español.
The above link is for parents and their children but I think the reasons why we get discouraged and how to bounce back are right on target.
I especially believe we ourselves are our worst critic. Those who are "sticking" are the ones that want to learn. And in doing that we forget the little steps we have accomplished.
Maybe a smaller rock is needed!
And of course, humor helps, too!
And you have us, your Spanishdict.com friends!!
I am learning Spanish and I get discouraged too and down in the dumps about it. The best way I have found to defeat those negative feelings is to try something different in the way of language learning than I have done, or haven't done for awhile. You could go to a big bookstore, find the Spanish section, and get a little kid's Spanish book. Take a notepad along with you. And learn what little Spanish-speaking children first learn when it comes to reading and writing. It's a totally different learning experience and bound to pique your interest in Spanish! That's just one of the zillions of ways that are different and provide a fresh approach. I also like listening to Spanish music and learning to sing the songs. Alma Velasco sang two songs on a cd by the group called "Fase" that I truly, truly love. The songs are "Acapulco 1978" and "Tania". You can find them both on You Tube. Once you have listened to these songs and told yourself, "I would have never found this great music if I wasn't studying Spanish", that should cheer you up. The translation for one of these songs can be found at lyricstranslate.com - a totally free site. Good luck to you and keep at it. I have the translation for "Tania" if you want it. I dunno if you can email me or not on here.
Hi Kat, I know that I get down about the learning proess too, words that I know, fail me at times. I cannot speak Spanish, except in very small lines, not even sentences. I haven't seen my boyfriend who speaks spanish since Jan. 1st, and I am not that comfortable speaking to him in spanish on the telephone, and so on.... But don't get discouraged, I am sure it will get better.
Perhaps I feel discouraged too much... jeje.
One of the main reasons is because my speaking skills are not where I would like them to be. I have been trying to push myself because if I stay in my comfort zone, I will not learn as much. I still become nervous having simple conversations.
I just recently joined, but I am feeling very good about my progress. What are you feeling discouraged about? Is there anything I can do to help?
I know what you mean kat. Maybe its like weight lifting or loosing weight, where you hit a plateau and it feels like nothings changing but it is. While I was in Mexico for February, I only spoke spanish and it was going better. I know that to get where I want to be I'll have to be around spanish speakers. Sooo.... I'm ready to go back!
It is a process, and takes time. The older you are (I'm 64) the longer it takes......your brain is way removed from "learned mode" : ) Take Spanish in pieces, and use it in your every day conversation, with a willing partner. Let go of the "I don't feel comfortable speaking part" just do it.
