I’m starting a new language project. I’m learning Japanese. This post sets out how I’ve gone about two of the important first steps that you should be taking to set yourself up for success when you begin any new language. You need to work out your “why” and your ultimate destination. Then you need to plan the first concrete, initial short-to-medium term goals that … [Read more...]
“Dr Popkins Method?” Keeping going at language learning
If your methods are good, or even just ok, keeping going at language learning may be the most important ingredient of all when you want to get fluent. ln a recent post, I looked at the things that fill me with enthusiasm about learning a language. But what about when enthusiasm starts to wane? It's time to move from language learning carrots to things that may work more like … [Read more...]
Goodbye 2018, hello 2019!
How has your language learning gone this year? As one year makes way for another, in this post let's take a step back and look over how things went....and look ahead to share hopes and plans for 2019 (also in vlog form, down at the bottom). But first, my annual year-end review and preview wouldn't be complete without a picture of a Christmas tree. Here's my 2018 "bark n … [Read more...]
Learning Basque as life gets in the way
How do you sustain language learning when the demands of "life" start to get seriously in the way? It's work and travel that have taken their toll on my Basque for the last couple of months. You may be (and probably are) learning a completely different language. I bet you'll still experience the same struggle to keep going when you're very busy or on the road. Here's how it's … [Read more...]
“Dr Popkins Method?” Excited by fluency
In this post, I’m sharing some of the sources of inspiration and excitement that have helped me over the years to get fluent in new languages. Some are thrilling, others quite low-key satisfactions. They are the some of the bright flares and softer streetlights that could light up your path and see you excited by fluency itself (to say nothing of all the great things you … [Read more...]