Chapter 1: Overcoming Language Learning Barriers

Learning a new language can be quite challenging. I have always seen myself as someone who struggles with languages, a belief that has unfortunately manifested in my experiences. During high school, I received an F in French, and I vividly recall expressing my frustration to my teacher, questioning the relevance of learning French. Ironically, years later, I moved to France in my late 30s, and I often regret not putting in more effort back then.

Having lived in France for six years now, I feel embarrassed about my limited French skills. I have plenty of justifications—residing in a tourist-heavy area with a large English-speaking population means that even when I attempt to speak French, locals often respond in English, assuming I’m a tourist. My work is also conducted online with English-speaking colleagues.

The reality is that I haven't truly immersed myself in French-speaking environments. Surrounded mostly by English-speaking friends, including those who are French but converse with me in English, I recognize that had I been placed in a rural French community, my language skills would likely be much stronger today.

Moreover, my children, aged 12 and 8, are fluent in French and often act as my personal translators. Kids absorb languages quickly; they were speaking French within six months of our arrival.

This year, I have grown increasingly frustrated with my own excuses. Living in France is already a challenge, and my limited French makes it even harder.

My Commitment to Change

I decided this year to make learning French a priority and commit to daily practice. My chosen method is the Duolingo app, which is an excellent free resource for language learners. While there are ads, paying for the premium version could further enhance my learning experience, something I plan to consider next year as I see progress.

Duolingo has effectively gamified language learning, which is what keeps me engaged. I began to enjoy the process and shifted my mindset, believing that I could actually improve rather than resigning myself to being bad at languages forever. Each day, I earn points and maintain a learning streak, which motivates me to continue.

I would have achieved a longer streak than my current 195 days if not for a few days of illness earlier this year, but I’m determined to reach a full year of consistent practice.

Am I Fluent Yet?

The answer is a resounding no! While I can see slow progress—my vocabulary is expanding and I understand spoken French better—I still struggle with constructing proper sentences. What sounds correct in my mind doesn’t always translate to real French.

Despite notable improvements, I recognize that I still have a long journey ahead before I can consider myself competent, let alone fluent.

What’s Been Missing

Although Duolingo offers spoken practice, what I really need is to engage in real-life conversations. I have not pushed myself out of my comfort zone or embraced the fear of making mistakes, which is essential for language learning. While I have tried conversing with my kids in French, they often use slang, which isn’t always helpful.

Seeing some progress, I have decided to elevate my learning by enrolling with an online French tutor for weekly sessions. My goal is to focus on real-life conversations during these lessons and practice what I learn throughout the week, as well as engage more with French speakers.

Action Steps for Improvement

• Continue daily practice on the Duolingo app
• Listen to the Duolingo podcast to enhance listening skills while learning about French culture
• Attend weekly lessons with a tutor
• Practice speaking French with my children
• Embrace mistakes and converse with native French speakers

Have you ever attempted to learn a new language? What strategies have worked best for you? I would love to hear your insights.

Chapter 2: Language Learning Resources

The first video, "How to Actually Learn a Language in a Month," provides effective strategies for accelerated language acquisition and practical tips to enhance your learning process.

The second video, "How I Learn Any Language in 24 Hours," shares personal experiences and techniques that can be beneficial for anyone looking to learn a new language quickly.