Language learning is a long process, so of course it can get dull. When we get to the point in our language learning where we are not excited and just feel the activities have gotten mundane, this is the language rut.
The language rut is the feeling of your regular routine getting stale. The routine may be effective, and you might be progressing a lot, but it might not be engaging anymore. Our brains want new things all the time, and we ought to work out language learning around this boredom.
What are some ways we can mitigate the dying motivation due to boredom with our routine?
Find a new, fresh project or activity
The heart of the issue with the language rut is us doing the same activity ad nauseum. One way to combat that directly is to do something unique. (I know, such a unique idea). In particular, I would recommend doing something totally new for you and something that gets you nervous or panicking. For me, this was an italki lesson.
I do have a link that can get you $10 back if you add $20 to your student wallet if you need it. This article is not sponsored by italki; it just fit with my anecdote.
My Turkish has been hovering at a beginner level for years. I haven’t worked on it much, but scheduling one italki lesson jolted me into action. Now that I had a date, time, and money on the table, I felt obliged to study and improve my Turkish. Suddenly, I felt motivated to watch Turkish content. I actually wanted to continue my progress in my grammar book. Before I ever spoke to this tutor, I reignited my love for Turkish that pushed me to start the long journey years ago.
I can’t say it should be an italki lesson for you. In fact, you might be already taking regular tutoring lessons, and you still feel bored with your routine. Rather, find something totally out of your comfort zone.
If you are a book guy like me, scheduling a speaking lesson could take you out of the language pit of despair. A social person who already talks a lot ought to find a novel they really like in the target language. If you prefer privately improving your language, start a challenge to post your speaking progress daily like I did on Twitter this year and summarized on my YouTube channel.
Surprise yourself, and you will be able to pull yourself out of the language rut.
Find a new way to connect with culture
At the heart of language is society. Language would not exist if we did not have the need to communicate. As such, it follows that we ought to center people in our language learning. As an introvert, I hate saying that, but we cannot escape that reality.
Even introverts like me need to socialize sometimes, and that socialization could be the key to reigniting the fading Bunsen burner under your language learning. Incorporate more social aspects to your language learning.
Instead of gluing yourself to a book or watching dramas, how about making friends with someone in your target language? There are many options. Maybe grandma speaks Italian and English, but you two have always spoken in English together. Try speaking Italian with her!
There are plenty of options for language exchange apps. HelloTalk and Tandem are two I can recommend. On these apps, you can meet people who speak your target language natively and want to speak your native language as their target.
If you are still too introverted for this, maybe your stalker senses can help you out of the pit. Try developing a parasocial relationship! Find some livestreamer, celebrity, or influencer who posts in your target language and learn about them. It’s still social and can motivate you to learn more.
Make a new goal
A goal can pull you out of a pit of boredom because you can manufacture a reason to exist. I’ve made a YouTube video about good language learning goals that I recommend to help you manufacture an effective reason to exist.
If you have something to work towards, it can give you excitement enough to improve your language skills. Something like the TOPIK, JLPT, or DELF exams can motivate you to actually improve your Korean, Japanese, or French, respectively. Once there is a prize in sight, you can actually see a path.
I am someone who does a lot of aimless language learning. It works for me because the process is generally enjoyable for me. Other people do not work like that and need a goal. Outside of our base desire to eat and sleep, most of us don’t have desires to do much, especially if it’s related to putting yourself through the difficulty of language learning.
Try creating the light at the end of the tunnel.
Change the “when” and “where” of language learning
You changed “what” you’re doing by finding a new activity. Then, you found a “who” by finding a new language buddy. Next, you modified your “why” by making a big goal.
You, as a language learner that knows a thing or two about grammar, must have noticed that “when” and “where” are two major interrogative expressions I just skipped. That’s your next way to get out of the language rut.
Something as simple as studying at the library instead of your bedroom can make a difference. Our monkey brain has already spent lots of time in the bedroom turned classroom. Perhaps a new place could trick it into thinking something new and exciting has happened.
The same goes for the time of day. We notice if the sun is coming in through the window or on the other side of the house. Try mixing it up. That could be enough to feel fresh and make language learning exciting again.
Find harder language resources
Simplicity is boring. The source of your rut and boredom could be with the ease of your sources. If you aren’t challenging your brain, it gets bored. Like muscles that atrophy if you don’t use them, our brains get bored when we aren’t using them to their full potential to tell you it’s time to do something.
This is a great moment to push yourself. I know that beginner’s materials are comfortable, but they might be holding you back and causing your rut. Materials made for learners do not go too deep. Sure, you might enjoy mindless content, but you probably want some substantial content. When you are in a language rut, it’s your moment to consider if this might be your source.
Level up your sources. Get native-level content. Find native-level content about a topic you like. I cannot recommend what you like in particular. Odds are your interest has a podcast in your target language out there.
Do you like Swedish true crime? Listen to that. Do you like Japanese fan artists? Follow them on social media. Do you like German video essays about geopolitics? Try watching one of those. The internet is truly a miracle in the sense that you can find anything about anything, and you can find it in any language.
You can also look at the list of resources I have on my website to see if I have anything on the language you are learning or sources that you can level up to.
The language rut is not forever
Humans have fickle emotions and language learning is a long process. Naturally, there are conflicts between our brains, which want new things, and language learning, which requires dedication and an intense amount of repetition. This language rut that we experience sometimes can be a big obstacle, but we ought to accept that this happens sometimes and find ways to mitigate the negative effects.
If you want to see more articles about language learning, you can find more on my website that could be useful to you.
My YouTube channel can also be a good source of language learning tips and tricks, so I recommend you check that out.
If you’re having a hard time in a language rut, just persevere, and I know it will get better! ✊
