the art of juggling different languages. am i losing my French?

Summary

The speaker shares their journey of learning French for nearly four years before shifting focus to Hungarian. Despite fears of losing French, they highlight the importance of confidence, trusting in their language foundation, and not stressing over perfection. They discuss maintaining minimal exposure to French while fully dedicating themselves to Hungarian, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the learning process. The speaker concludes that juggling multiple languages is an art that requires balance, letting go of control, and appreciating the journey, rather than obsessing over potential language loss.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has been learning French for almost 4 years but has decided to focus solely on learning Hungarian.
• 😀 After taking a 5-month break from actively studying French, the speaker feels they haven't lost much of their proficiency.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of confidence in one's language abilities, even when taking a break from studying.
• 😀 There is a fear of losing language skills after stopping active study, but the speaker believes that a good level of proficiency is hard to lose.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the need to let go of perfectionism when learning languages and to embrace the learning process without unnecessary stress.
• 😀 It is essential to trust that language skills will not easily fade if the learner has reached a certain level, such as B2 or C1.
• 😀 The speaker suggests that language learners should allow themselves to enjoy their language without worrying about perfection.
• 😀 A minimal connection with the language being paused is recommended, like listening to it occasionally without structured study.
• 😀 The speaker recognizes that learning languages should be a lifestyle choice, and this realization helps them stay motivated and engaged.
• 😀 The speaker concludes that it's important to enjoy the journey of learning multiple languages and not focus solely on the fear of losing proficiency.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to stop actively learning French?

The speaker decided to stop actively learning French because they wanted to focus on learning Hungarian, a language they were more passionate about at the moment. They felt that their connection to languages with personal relevance was crucial for their learning process.

How does the speaker feel about the possibility of losing their French skills?

The speaker feels somewhat anxious about losing their French skills, especially because they have invested a lot of time and effort into learning it. However, they also express confidence that their previous level of proficiency will help them maintain it even without active study.

What is the speaker's approach to language learning?

The speaker values having a personal connection to the languages they learn. They prefer to study languages that resonate with them, as this makes the learning process more enjoyable and sustainable.

How does the speaker describe their current routine with Hungarian?

The speaker has replaced their French learning routine with a new routine focused on Hungarian. They enjoy the process of learning Hungarian but acknowledge that the transition has been intimidating.

What is the role of 'trust' in language learning for the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting in one's ability to regain proficiency in a language, even after a break. They believe that once a good level is achieved, it is easier to return to a language later without starting from scratch.

What does the speaker mean by 'letting go of control' in language learning?

By 'letting go of control,' the speaker means accepting that language learning is not a strict, perfectionistic process. They suggest that focusing on enjoying the learning process, rather than worrying about what might be lost, is more beneficial.

Why does the speaker believe it is important to maintain minimal contact with a language one is not actively learning?

The speaker believes that maintaining some minimal contact with a language, even while focusing on another, can help preserve it in a low-maintenance mode. This ensures that the language doesn't completely fade from memory, without disrupting the focus on the current language.

How does the speaker balance their learning of different languages?

The speaker balances their language learning by prioritizing one language, while maintaining occasional, casual exposure to others. They stress that it's important not to be too rigid or perfectionistic in this approach, allowing for flexibility.

What advice does the speaker give to themselves regarding language learning?

The speaker advises themselves to be less perfectionistic and to allow themselves to enjoy learning in different languages without overthinking. They emphasize the importance of not feeling guilty for indulging in learning another language occasionally.

What conclusion does the speaker reach about their language skills in French?

The speaker concludes that they haven't lost much of their French skills, though they acknowledge some slight decline in writing proficiency. They feel confident that with their previous level of knowledge, they could easily return to the language if needed.