languages

Language Learning – Update 2

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In the last post, I mentioned that I’ve been struggling with a lot. So I’ve had to realize that I cannot keep up with the pace of language learning that I’d like.

The Coursera class didn’t work out as I’d hoped and learning Hangeul is on the back burner at this point. My focus is on French.

I’m still using Duolingo every day and have other forms of French immersion that help. French Teacher Carlito‘s newsletter is great! Plus, I’ve loaded up my YouTube and Instagram feeds with wonderful bite-sized French lessons from several people.

With all that I have on my plate, that’s about all that I can handle. After reading a recent blog post where I encountered an English word that was new to me, equiponderate, I decided that I need to cut myself some slack.

There is no deadline for becoming fluent in French. I have a goal and I’m doing the best I can. It takes a lot of time and practice to become fluent in another language. Life is throwing a lot my way right now, so I can’t progress the way I could if things were different.

I’m fluent in English and have a fairly decent vocabulary. It’s taken decades to reach this point and I’m still learning new English words. New English words keep being invented. Language learning is a lifelong journey, so I have to keep reminding myself to be patient.

Maybe you’re going through something similar. Remember to be patient with yourself and keep going. There is no race and live life one day at a time.

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Image: Wordnik

Language Learning – Update 1

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language learning with Coursera

Back in early October, I decided to study Korean and French. I studied French in high school and freshman year of college. For Korean, I’m studying from the ground up. Since I’d like to track my language learning progress, I’ll update here on the blog, like a series. Because there are so many aspects to learning languages, it’s a lot to cover.

So how is it going? Ça va bien!

Obviously, I have a head start with French. So that is where I’m devoting most of my time. I’m using the Duolingo app and love it! It’s very convenient using it on my phone and I usually end up “studying” for longer than planned, because it doesn’t feel like studying. It’s set up like a game. But I can tell that I’m learning. It allows me to listen to French, speak it, read it and write it. Which is quite an amazing tool. The first week when I tried speaking, I was fumbling over my words and felt my mouth contorting. I forgot how physical speaking is when the sounds are unfamiliar. I hadn’t spoken any French in so long!

A friend, who is using Duolingo to study Portuguese, was the one who recommended it. I don’t think of myself as a particularly competitive person, but I find that I am motivated by seeing how well that I’m doing and what’s needed to perform better.

The first month or so most of the words were familiar, but I definitely still needed and need a lot of help with grammar. Now I’m learning many new words. Some just because I never learned them before. Other words didn’t exist back when I was studying. Technology changed everything!

Oh and I’m using the free version if you’re wondering. There are options to buy, but I haven’t used them and don’t plan to. My goal for using this right now is to brush up my skills. Early to mid next year, I may possibly take an online course in advanced French and/or hire a tutor.

language learning with Duolingo

For Korean, I am taking baby steps and my progress is so very slow. I’m using Coursera to learn Hangeul.

When I started the course, I thought that it was free. But when I went to submit a quiz today, it wouldn’t let me without upgrading to paid. And I couldn’t move forward with the lessons either. I was able to do all that before in this course, so I’m not sure what changed. I would not be surprised if in around five years or so, I receive a notification that I’m eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit of people who felt they were pressured and/or misled into paying for a “free course.”

It’s not that much, so I paid. Also, since I took a rather in depth marketing course several years ago for free.

That’s the first update for now. Stay tuned for more on my language learning journey!

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Images: Screenshots of Coursera and Duolingo

Can I Be a Polyglot?

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YouTube‘s algorithm is strong. I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of videos. But it made me realize that I want to be a polyglot.

In high school, I studied French. I continued during my freshman year of college, but stopped after that. I regret not going further in my formal French studies. But it was not helping my already fragile GPA and I decided to cut my losses. I reached an intermediate level and really could have done much more with it.

Anyway, life happened and it wasn’t a priority. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed the season of my life changing and want to expand my language skills again. But my language focus has been Korean. The spring before last, I found a free online course with Coursera called First Step Korean.

The first week or so of the class seemed doable. But then it seemed like I was supposed to have already learned Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, within three weeks! Ha! No.

The timing was also not in my favor. I was in the process of organizing and clearing out my mom’s house to put it on the market. I didn’t have time for the class and decided to focus on selling the house and getting my mom moved. That process took most of my time and energy last year.

This year had its ups and downs, but things have settled down a bit. I decided to try a Korean class again, but realized that I needed a more solid foundation with Hangeul. So I found a class called The Korean Alphabet: An Introduction to Hangeul. I may need to take this class twice, but it’s a start. It’s not like I have a deadline or need to worry about my GPA.

I’ve also wanted to improve my French skills and truly become fluent. It could help with increased work opportunities and I would just like to be fluent for myself. But is it possible to study two languages at once? Especially such different languages. Is that a thing?

From watching dozens of YouTube videos, I’ve discovered that being a polyglot is a huge thing and yes, I can do it! There is a huge polyglot culture with people learning multiple languages at once and becoming fluent in all of them within just a few years.

So I’ve decided to jump in! Years fly by so quickly. It took almost a decade between when I first toyed with the idea of law school to quitting my job and doing it. I may take a long time deciding on something. But once I do, I persevere.

For French, I’ve started using Duolingo to help refresh my basic skills and get in the habit of practicing. There are three months left in the year, so by January I should feel more solid with my French. I may take an advanced online French class and/or possibly hire a tutor as well. I’m excited to see where this language journey brings me!

I’ve also decided to try again with a plant that I could never keep alive and eventually gave up on — African violets. I was over a friend’s house and she had two gorgeous ones. They are so lovely and I do so well with most plants. Surely I can grow these now! It’s been about 20 years, so maybe it’s a new season.