Tech and Parameters of Time and Space
Language learning tip of the week:
Acquire technical skills for your target language that you can use.
Here are 2 areas where this can be applied:
1) Learn to type well in your target language if you haven't yet, especially if your target language's alphabet is different from that of your native language. NOT with a phonetic keyboard layout. The keyboard layout that native speakers use will always be available, unlike phonetic layouts. I originally started typing on the phonetic keyboard for Russian, hilariously not knowing that it was different from the actual Russian keyboard. Once I learned they were different, I bit the bullet and relearned to type on the Russian keyboard—I'm glad I did this, because there have been countless occasions where I have had to share a computer with a native speaker who only used the traditional keyboard or was in a situation in which there wasn't a phonetic layout readily available.
2) Pick a subject that you're passionate about and learn as much of its technical lexicon in the target language as you can get your hands on. This could be weightlifting, computers, health, animal science, photography…anything. Again, something that not everyone knows a lot about, but that YOU personally like.
If you're not sure where to start when acquiring your new vocabulary, try using Wikipedia pages. Type in a subject (get as specific as you'd like) and then switch the page to the language you're learning by selecting it from the drop-down menu in the top-right. If you don't see your target language, try a page that is less specific or obscure. To also confirm that you have the correct words for objects in the target language, what can often be more helpful than using a dictionary or translator is Googling images of each object in the target language, looking at the images and potential captions.
I've found parameters of time and space to be quite helpful when studying or practicing something like a foreign language.
Let's start with time.
Having a daily or weekly time investment minimum is good, but equally important is establishing the "ideal time target." An example of specific time parameters could like this:
Daily Minimum: 20 minutes of practice (a bare minimum you can commit to)
Ideal Target for a day: 90 minutes (an amount that feels like a lot, but still possible with your current schedule, and it's an amount you know would help immensely)
These can also be more detailed of course, with different exercises or activities indicated for specific timeframes. A starting framework like this may seem unprofound, but the point here is to identify a higher number to strive for in your day that you can be proud of when you're able to reach it. These parameters depend almost entirely on your current life situation, and you should allow yourself to be realistic when establishing them. The examples above aren't my current personal numbers exactly, but they aren't far off. With what I have going on in my current schedule, I know from experience that this amount of focused time is enough to maintain skills and even improve language proficiency. Ten years ago, however, when I was single with no kids and was attending an immersion program, I would have viewed these numbers as laughable (even on the weekend when there were no classes). If you can do more, do more. But the minimum should always be very low, to a point where there's never really an excuse to miss it. (If you miss a day, just try to not miss two days in a row).
This larger amount of time is also there so you know when you can stop and shift your focus to other responsibilities. There may be days when you feel like you're not doing enough, but this "ideal target" is there to assure you that you are doing enough at the present time, given your current circumstances, and you should be excited about where that amount of focused time in the language can take you.
One quick story about time commitments to a language:
I'll never forget the moment in an immersion program when a professor was going over some homework with me toward the end of the course, and I asked about how much time I should be putting toward the language at home after the program. Going back and forth, she could tell I wasn't satisfied with her answer of one hour per day. I thought to myself: "would that really be enough?" She eventually said, "Thomas, one hour a day will definitely be better than worrying about it for three." Pick a timeframe, schedule it, and get going. Adjust as needed but don't waste time. If 10 minutes per day is all you can do, do it. 10 minutes may not be enough for reaching certain proficiency levels, but even that is better than 0 minutes per day.
Now onto spaces.
The work and living spaces we frequent the most should be maintained to our liking. Some brilliant people don't have clean rooms, and that's fine—if they wouldn't be happier with a cleaner room. The way time and space are expressed can even differ from one language to another, but time and space are always related to everything. How we move through time and space dictates levels of success but also our moods along the way. A poorly organized space can negatively impact punctuality and frame of mind, but a well-maintained space can do wonders. With a great physical space, I've noticed I'm more efficient and can avoid moments of senseless frustration. I can be quicker and also feel more inspired.
If you're learning French, a beautiful photograph of the Eiffel Tower on your wall can be a motivating reminder of your goals and the promises you've made to yourself. I have personal items like this example, and I'm also in the process of making things more practical and welcoming.
Last week I bought two new bookshelves for my home office. This was my second attempt with the shelves, and it was disappointing to decide that the first set I bought wouldn't be a good fit. However, I'm excited now that the room will soon be much closer to how I want it. It's a luxury to be able to switch things around, so I want to be grateful for that luxury by making my frequented spaces work for me.
When you master your time, surrounding spaces, and things, you can more easily master the information in your head and the actions you take. At this point, all languages are basically everywhere, and getting one of them in your head just depends on controlling how you spend your time and interact with your surroundings.
Thank you for reading.
Until next week, my friends!
—Thomas