Want to know the secret to making your attempt at learning a new language more successful? Want to find out what will keep you motivated and learn much faster? Well, that secret is…confidence.
“Confidence comes from not always being right, but from not fearing to be wrong.”
-Peter T. Mcintyre
Yes, that secret might not seem like much, and may come across as more of a disappointment, but if there is one thing you can do to fast-track your language learning it is being confident. Your success depends on your level of confidence. It may sound obvious, but it isn’t actually. Confidence is the biggest hurdle anyone who is trying to learn a new language has in the beginning. Languages are about talking to people, putting yourself in situations where you might not feel very comfortable. If you lack the confidence , you will never truly be able to speak the language you are learning properly.
It doesn’t matter whether you make mistakes or that not everyone you talk to reacts positively. All that matters is that you are out there trying your best with what you know – and ultimately learning from your mistakes.
“Belief in oneself and one’s powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance”
– Webster’s New Universal.
Once you start believing in your abilities and start saying you “speak” a language rather than that you are “learning” a language, your learning will speed up. As a result, you will focus less on what you are getting wrong and start focussing more on what you are getting right. Just keep at it – the more you speak, the less you will worry. Remember that any progress is good and means you are getting better at the language. Perfection isn’t nearly as important as believing in yourself.
Once you are confident, you will start thinking about correcting your mistakes. Yes, some native speakers will correct you, but that’s how you learn! No need to be embarrassed.
Learning a language by yourself is taxing – and usually unsuccessful. Most people quit once they hit a speedbump in their learning. But taking a Language Course in Cape Town with the Language Teaching Centre (LTC), you are not alone! At LTC you are encouraged to work hard and strive to learn the language you have chosen. With the help of our highly qualified teachers, you will be taught in a nurturing and positive environment where you will be encouraged to try your best. You don’t have to struggle by yourself – let the Language Teaching Centre help you.
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