Language depends on 3 factors
I have taught thousands of students around the world in all shapes and sizes.
Whether it was children in a countryside in South Korea or adults in a business district in China. I have come to the conclusion that language is overwhelmingly dependent on three factors:
1.The attitude of the learner:
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There is no substitution for self-motivation. Nobody can help a person who doesn't want to help themself, even a great teacher. The motivation has to come from within, the individual must have the desire to learn.
People have all types of reasons for learning a language , what really matters is that the learner is interested in the language. It can be as simple as the desire to enjoy watching movies in the target language. As long as the student is emotionally invested in the language, any challenges and pitfalls ahead can be endured.
2.The time the learner spends with the language.
One of the most asked questions on Google is “How can I learn a language quickly” This gives you insight into human nature, the propensity for us to always look for the fastest and easiest solution to a problem.
This is why the internet is rampant with books and courses such as; “How to learn a language in your sleep” They are playing on our deep human nature of taking shortcuts in life. Unfortunately learning a language is a long and challenging path, but once you accept this, you can buckle-up and begin one of the most enriching and satisfying journeys of your life.
Language takes a long time, but the amount of time is also dependent on the amount of effort you put in. Newton's 3rd law of motion encapsulates this: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” In simple English this basically means; what you put in, is what you get out. The more effort and time you put into the language the faster your results will be.
3.The learner’s attentiveness to the language.
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I have always been a proponent of deliberate practice, but I’m also realistic enough to know that most people will not reach the 10 000 hour Mastery requirements. However, the beauty of learning a language is that you don’t even need a fraction of that.
Anyone has the ability to reach Intermediate level quite comfortably with a good attitude and a suitable method.
Focus is one of the key ingredients in learning a new language. Paying attention to grammatical structures, observing the tiny nuances within a language, or even noticing the body language of native speakers.
These are all codes embedded in the target language. Paying attention will lift the veil on these hidden secrets, and ensure progress in reaching proficiency.
In Conclusion
I think these 3 simple factors can give you an idea of how to learn a language effectively.
Attitude is clearly the biggest factor, and this transfers to all areas of life. Your attitude towards something influences how much effort you put into it. If you can fix this important component, the rest will fall into place.
