Chapter 1: The Challenge of Language Acquisition

Growing up in Southeast Asia, I faced a fair amount of teasing for being Chinese and not speaking the language. The persistent jokes from friends, family, and even customers during my part-time job as a waitress eventually pushed me to take action. I persuaded my parents to allow me to enroll in language classes.

I established a clear vision: I would learn the language and engage in conversations daily. Fast forward almost five years, and while I've grasped the basics, I still struggle with comfortable conversation, often reverting to English.

What went wrong? Initially, I thought my lack of motivation was to blame, which was partly accurate. I repeatedly reminded myself of the importance of mastering the language. However, motivation came in unpredictable bursts, leaving me feeling discouraged and exhausted.

I would immerse myself in the language with podcasts, vlogs, and even children’s shows (shout out to Chinese Peppa Pig on Netflix), but soon found myself gravitating back to English content, neglecting Chinese media entirely. This cycle would repeat, driven by guilt and the stress of my perceived failure.

Section 1.1: Rethinking My Approach

I realized that my methodology was flawed. I have shared my views on the concept of "bed-rotting" before, which you can read more about here:

Bed-Rotting: Self-Care or Avoiding Responsibility? Know When to Draw the Line

Despite my critiques, the plethora of self-help and productivity videos I consumed during my low points led me to a crucial insight: prioritize cultivating habits rather than fixating on goals.

The reasoning is straightforward. Goals represent the end of a long journey. To learn a new language, simply expressing the desire to master it isn’t enough. Achieving certain goals necessitates a complete transformation of our internal systems and routines. Language learning, for instance, involves embracing a new culture, adapting to unfamiliar rules, adjusting our speech, and even retraining our minds to absorb new vocabulary.

Our bodies must adjust to this learning process, which can be jarring. Humans naturally resist change, so how can we introduce something new without overwhelming ourselves?

Subsection 1.1.1: The Power of Habit

Instead of treating language acquisition as a daunting task, focus on creating a habit. Dedicate some time each day to engage with the language, even if it doesn’t feel particularly enjoyable. Over time, this practice will become so ingrained in your routine that it won’t feel like a chore; rather, it will seamlessly integrate into your daily life, becoming your new norm.

Congratulations! You’ve established a habit that nudges you closer to your goals.

Thank you for taking the time to read! If you found this helpful, you might also appreciate these articles:

• You Are What You Think You Are
• How Much Passive Income Can You Really Earn from Medium?
• Bed-Rotting: Self-Care or Avoiding Responsibility? Know When to Draw the Line