In our previous blog post, we outlined 3 tips on setting language new year’s resolutions for 2023. Here, we will state more tips!

#4 – Narrow down the Input

“Sometimes less is more” – William Shakespeare.

There are four main language skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Listening and reading are considered input, while speaking and writing are considered output. Language is vast and evolving as people and technology evolve. 

Being able to choose “input” you find interesting and aligned to your language goals is one of the main reasons why it is so much more fun and effective than a traditional language learning group course.  In traditional classes, you follow whatever program or topics the teacher or school selected in a specific order. 

Too many choices or all kinds of input can sometimes be just as limiting as too little. In today’s world of nearly endless options, it is too easy to get overwhelmed, get lost in choosing, and instead do nothing. So yes, pick content that you like, but make sure it supports your courageous language journey from point A to point B. Learning too many things at the same time, it’s the same as building half bridges and getting nowhere. 

Take the different content available and narrow down the reading or listening materials related to your SMART language goal. In this way, you can get re-exposed to the same words and patterns in meaningful and interesting contexts without having to read or listen to the exact same materials or passages again and again. Don’t spend too much time looking or deciding. Avoid getting caught up in “paralysis by analysis.” Just pick 1 to 3 resources and start. 

Examples:

SMART Goal: “Converse with my parents-in-law in Spanish on New Year’s Eve.”                        

Narrow Topics: Family, Celebrations

Action Items:

Take your SMART goal and brainstorm 1 to 3 major topics that would help you achieve that goal. Choose a narrow topic that you are interested in. 

Search for listening sources and reading sources. Make a list of 1 to 5 for each skill. Pick 1 to 3 sources per skill.

My Narrow Topics:  Listening & Reading

My SMART Language GOAL

Remember:

Whatever format you choose, focus on selecting resources and topics that fit your unique interests, goals, learning style, and needs. Be honest with yourself and choose what will truly help you achieve your language goal.

#5 – Step 5 Expand your Output

“The only normal way to begin speaking in a new language is to begin speaking badly” – Greg Thomson.

A key concept to understand is that you need a balance of both input and output to reach fluency in a new language.  You need to listen and read plenty, but you also need to speak and write plenty, too. Output is more intimidating since it happens in real-time. You can’t pause a conversation to look up a word you don’t know, and it entails the risk of making mistakes, not understanding, or being misunderstood.

Many language learners stick to the practice of input and forget or even avoid the practice of output, as they fear making mistakes or are concerned about just freezing. While this is certainly more comfortable, these learners will indeed improve their language skills, but just listening and reading, and they will still feel frustrated by never being able to hold an actual conversation with a native speaker or find the words to answer the question someone asked them even after fully understanding the question.

The fear of making mistakes is very real, and it’s something that every language learner experiences. In fact, it’s probably one of the biggest obstacles you will have to overcome in your courageous language journey. Speaking might be scary at the beginning, but the more you practice, the more it will become familiar. The more opportunities you give to work on the output, like speaking and writing, the more the percentages will move.  Please consider our blog about the difference between spoken production and spoken interaction and learn more about how to practice your speaking skill.

So, it’s time to get your output on, but it shouldn’t be so hard that you want to give up right away and not too easy that you’re not challenged. 

Action items:

Take your SMART goal and brainstorm 1 to 3 major activities that would help you practice your writing and speaking skills.

Don’t forget:

Join a Verbal Bridges Meet-up: Learn day or night and get immersed anytime. Schedule one or several meetups that fit your busy schedule and practice meaningful conversations as much as you want.  Each meetup and learning path you choose is designed to contain all you need to interact with a specific topic.

Additionally, you’ll see your progress as your total speaking time is displayed at the end of each session. So, with each meetup you join and speak, you’ll be moving closer to speaking the language. 

You might want to join a meetup every day, and maybe you’d prefer one every other day, or perhaps even join just once a week if you’re short on time. Whatever timescale you choose to work on, the important thing is that you practice your speaking skills.

My Expansion Activities: Speaking & Writing

My SMART LANGUAGE GOAL

Speaking & Writing

In our next blog post, we will write more tips! Stay tuned! 

SPEAK BUILD CONTRIBUTE