The Power of Consistency in Language Learning
and why it is so damn hard!
Have you ever met someone who started learning a new language with great enthusiasm, only to give up a few weeks later? Or perhaps you've experienced this frustration yourself.
Learning a language is a beautiful and rewarding journey, but it requires something more than just passion and a good method.
It requires consistency.
In this article, we'll explore why consistency is the secret ingredient to language mastery. We'll delve into how our brains learn languages, the hurdles that often hinder consistency, and practical strategies to stay on track.
So, if you're ready to invite the power of consistency in your language learning journey, let's dive in.
The Best Method Won't Work If You Don't Apply It Consistently
Imagine two individuals, both with the same language learning method at their disposal.
One of them diligently practices for 20 minutes every day, while the other sometimes studies for hours on weekends but never takes the time to practice or to explose themselves to the language during the week.
Who do you think will make more progress?
The answer is clear: the person who practices consistently, and this is true regardless of the method they use.
Because although it’s key to choose methods and approaches that work for you, they wont’ have much results if you don’t apply them consistently.
Of course, being consistent in anything is not so easy, and we’ll discuss further in this article what makes it so hard as well as strategies to put in place so you can definitely improve the consistency in your French learning journey.
But first, let’s clarify why consistency is so central for our brains to retain information, and especially language.
Why is Consistency So Key?
To understand why consistency is essential, let's take a peek into our brains.
Have you ever observed the way ants look for food?
An explorer ant goes out and about until she finds something worthy for her tribe - let's say a forgotten lollipop on your floor (any other parents here?). Once she finds it, she’ll go back to headquarters, leaving a trail of hormones in order to be able to find her way back. The other ants are alerted that there’s a lollipop around, and they too start following that trail, with a bit of hesitation, whilst adding their own hormones to the mix in order to make that trail all the more powerful.
In just a few minutes, hundreds of ants have responded to the call of the lollipop, and it’s pretty clear now that every one of them knows exactly where they’re supposed to go: the hormonal train has become so strong that they can’t ignore it.
Until that lollipop is gone of course: there’s no point in remembering something that is no longer of any use.
Our brains work more or less the same way.
When we learn a new language, our brains form connections, like building a complex puzzle. Every word, phrase, and grammar rule adds a piece to that puzzle.
Repetition and regular exposure are the glue that holds these puzzle pieces together.
The more often we encounter them, the stronger the connections become. Imagine practicing a musical instrument; playing a piece repeatedly makes it easier over time. Language learning works the same way.
Numerous studies in neuroscience have shown that spaced repetition and regular practice lead to better retention. But if the space in between the repetitions is too wide, then the brain connection is partially lost : we’ve signaled to our brain that this was no longer worth remembering.
Why is it Hard to be Consistent
Despite understanding the importance of consistency, it's often easier said than done. Life gets busy, and motivation can wane.
Several challenges make it hard to maintain a regular language learning routine:
1. Time Constraints:
Many of us juggle work, family, and other commitments, leaving little time for language practice. I personally ignore my Duolingo notifications like my annoying neighbor’s phone calls : I know I should, but I’m just to busy right now. Maybe later.
The problem with time constraints is that we often believe that they will magically solve themselves, “with time”. Meaning, if you wait just a few days, a few weeks, a few months, your life will all of a sudden be quiet and you’ll have enough space to be consistent with your language practice.
Unfortunately, this kind of wishful thinking postpones your language goals into a distant future close to Neverland.
2. Motivation Issues:
Staying motivated can be challenging. Motivation depends on so many factors, that vary from day to day : your level of energy, the way you feel about yourself, the difficulties you’re currently struggling with in the language, the perception you have about the do-ability of your tasks. Truth is, these factors are rarely objective.
That’s why it’s never a good idea to count on motivation as your only fuel for language progress.
3. Distractions:
Modern life bombards us with distractions, information, entertainments that appear on your phone without you even asking, which makes it so easy to procrastinate on the things we actually want to give our attention to.
The most precious resources you have are your time and attention (Listen to the Podcast : Ce que tu as de plus précieux) , and unless you learn to protect them, it can be very challenging to use them for your own goals, rather than for the goals of entertainment companies.
How to Improve Your Consistency
Fortunately, this is not the end of the road. Consistency is a skill that can be honed and I’m going to share here are some practical strategies easy to implement to help you stay on track with your language learning.
1. Connect to your Why
When you are deeply connected to the reason why you want to achieve certain goals in French, you have a much stronger leverage than counting only on motivation.
Oftentimes, learners focus on external factors of motivation and they fail to understand the real reasons that pushed them towards learning a language. If you’re not sure what your “Why” is, I invite you to read this other article I wrote on this very topic : Why Are you Really into French?
2. Work with what you have
Time is limited for every one of us. Once you connect to your true desire of learning French, it’s more easy to make it a priority and therefore to find the time you need to be consistent in your practice. But you still need to be realistic.
Instead of feeling bad because you don’t have “enough” time, work with what you have and break down learning sessions to just a few minutes.
Of course, this is much more manageable if you walk outside the beaten path : practicing conversation with a tutor on platforms rarely takes less than 30 minutes, but you can journal in French in just 10 minutes and have your practice of the day. Following a class in a school takes approximately 90 minutes, but to listen to a podcast in French, you only need 15 minutes.
It’s time you let French enter your life without having to change your whole life around it. Instead, let your life be transformed by the language.
3. Create a Language Ritual:
The easiest smoothest way to be more consistent in your language study is to create a manageable and pleasant daily routine. One that you look forward to.
That’s why I like to call it a ritual more than a routine: it becomes your little sacred space, your moment of wellbeing with you, yourself and the language you love.
Read also: When your French Practice Becomes a Meditation.
4. Join a Community:
Connect with fellow language learners that have a similar mindset to yours.
This can really help you build a sense of belonging and accountability, which plays a big role in consistency too.
Be mindful not to rush it though: if the group you join are all hustlers and you’re the kind of soul that likes to take it slow, it’s likely to have the opposite effect on you.
The best way is probably to try it out for yourself, give yourself the time to assess and then decide if this is your crowd or not.
5. Use Language Learning Resources:
Playing it by ear isn’t always the best way to approach language learning, especially if you already struggle with consistency.
It doesn’t mean that you necessarily need to learn with a tutor or a coach, but your journey becomes much easier, more enjoyable and less stressful when you can rely on ressources that have been created for you and that are adequate for your level + your interests.
The lack of adequate language learning ressources is a very big obstacle to reaching our language goals, because you never know if a podcast, a movie, a book will be at the right level for you. Additionally, it’s pretty challenging to use these authentic ressources in a way that will really help you learn the language.
Select language learning tools and materials that are engaging for you, at the right level, about topics that you love and with an opportunity for self-expression, wether in writing or in conversation.
Also read “Should you Break Up from Traditional Language Learning Methods”
The Role of “Journal in French Club” in Consistency
At the “Journal in French in Club”, we understand the significance of consistency in language learning. Our community is built around the idea that everyone can achieve fluency through regular practice.
Also read: “How to Keep Journaling in French - Tip #1”
Here's how we support your consistency:
- Daily Prompts: Our community offers daily prompts for self-reflection, keeping your creative juices flowing.
- Flexibility: You decide how to use our prompts – journaling, recording yourself speaking, or incorporating them into language exchanges.
- Personalization: Your journey is unique, but the approach is adaptable to your personality type, whether you're introverted, extroverted, or somewhere in between.
Check out the Club here, no strings attached :)
Conclusion
Consistency is not just a language learning principle; it's a life principle.
By embracing regular, structured practice, you can unlock the full potential of your language skills.
No longer will sporadic efforts leave you frustrated and stagnant. Instead, you'll watch your language abilities flourish.
So, remember that the best language method is the one you apply consistently. Commit to your journey, employ the strategies mentioned here, and consider joining the Journal in French Club to supercharge your language learning experience.
Consistency is the key that will open doors to new cultures, friendships, and opportunities.
Make it your ally, your success in inevitable.
This is great advice! Thanks for sharing!