Alright, let’s get to the nitty-gritty—who likes studying grammar rules first? Or diving headfirst into vocabulary drills when you’d rather be chatting away in full sentences? Yes, I hear you. But what if I told you that deliberately choosing to study in ways you don’t like could actually skyrocket your learning? Yes, you heard that right. Let’s dig into this, shall we?

Instead of saying “I hate this method of studying. It’s so difficult, boring or whatever negative word that comes to mind”, say instead and normalize the inner dialogue within you to gradually be “I am open to a different study technique once in a while.” 


111 Tips for Learning a Language 

Tip 39 – Shake It Up: The Surprising Power of Learning What You Hate!

Sophie knows what it’s like to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety in learning. When she was younger, she often found herself overwhelmed when studying, fearing that her efforts wouldn’t pay off. Research shows that fear often stems from a lack of self-confidence, where we question our own abilities. Sophie’s self-doubt was compounded by her parents’ high expectations, which made her feel like she could never measure up. Instead of motivating her, these pressures caused her to avoid studying, fearing that no matter how hard she tried, she would never be “good enough.”

In adulthood, Sophie realized that her fear was more than just insecurity—it was often accompanied by a sense of learning guilt. This guilt made her feel undeserving of success. When she did well, she sometimes self-sabotaged by downplaying her accomplishments or giving up at the next hurdle. According to research, self-sabotage often results from feelings of inadequacy or low self-worth, where people create barriers to avoid possible failure. Sophie’s “learning guilt” made her believe she wasn’t truly capable or deserving of progress, reinforcing her tendency to give up rather than push forward.

How did Sophie move forward? 

Tip 52 - How To Learn A Language When You Feel Fear

Firstly We Have To Dive Into Why People Study When They Do Not Have Any Real Purpose Or Need. 

Many people continue studying a language without a pressing need. Often, it’s because they recognize it’s good for personal development or career prospects, or sometimes they simply have extra time on their hands. In other words, they have nothing better to do. It is alright not to have a clear goal on learning a language. It is a known fact some people go about their lives questioning the very meaning of life itself too. The focus of this episode is to add enjoyment to your language learning because when one does not have a real purpose, staying motivated enough to keep on track then becomes a big challenge. When people pursue activities "because it’s good for them," they may struggle with engagement.  (Deci & Ryan, 2000). 


Tip 51 – How To Study A Language Without A Goal Or A Real Purpose

😴 Struggling to Stay Awake While Studying? We’ve Got You Covered! 😴

In Episode 50 of "111 Tips for Learning a Language," I'm sharing practical and quirky tips to keep you alert and focused—even when you’re this close to nodding off! From simple physical moves to stealthy tricks you can use in public, I'm here to help you keep your study sessions effective and energized. 🧘‍♂️

Don’t let drowsiness derail your learning! Tune in to find out how to stay awake, stay productive, and make every moment count. 
Listen now and take your study stamina to the next level!

Tip 50 - How not to fall asleep at the work or study table

Practical Steps for Language Learning Through Social Media
Here are a few ways to make your scrolling habit more productive:
•	Notice Trends: Pay attention to popular phrases, abbreviations, and hashtags. Jot down new words and look them up if you’re unsure.
•	Evaluate Tone: Is the language used playful, serious, persuasive, or informative? Recognizing tone helps you decide when to use similar language styles.
•	Contextual Learning: When you come across unfamiliar slang or buzzwords, try using them in a sentence yourself or research examples. Understanding how a word fits into context is essential for true fluency.
•	Assess the Quality of Writing: Is the post well-thought-out or thrown together? The choice of words can reveal the writer’s intent and mindset, helping you decide what language to adopt or avoid.


Tip 49 - Using Social Media to Pick Up Buzzwords and Real-World Language

Instead of skipping your study session, try to do something manageable, even if it’s just for 5 or 10 minutes. This small effort prevents the disruption of your learning habit and keeps you from falling into the “rest zone” for too long. Remember, a little bit of progress each day compounds over time, and that’s how big results are achieved.

Once you take a break from studying for too long, it becomes increasingly tempting to stay in that “rest mode.” We’ve all experienced this—one day off turns into two, and suddenly a week has gone by. The longer you rest, the harder it becomes to start again. This is not just a language learning issue; it’s a cognitive phenomenon called the inertia effect, where the longer we avoid an activity, the more mental resistance we build up toward starting it again.
