‚I don’t know that word.‘\

‚I can not express myself in English.‘

‚Can I say that real fast in German?‘

‚I understand almost everything but I can’t speak.‘


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I have heard these sentences every week for the last 25 years. I really understand what it feels like for my clients because I felt exactly the same way when I started learning German when I travelled to Germany on my European adventure. I arrived in Germany hardly speaking any German but I had packed two things with me in my suitcase when I left the US. Motivation and interest. My language-learning journey was made a lot easier because I had the German language all around me here. I had people speaking to me, packaging to read, TV, books, newspapers and many every-day activities to master. When you are surrounded by a language, it IS easier. You take more in. German lessons were waiting for me on every street corner. There is, however, a big, huge ‚BUT‘ in this true story. If you are not motivated and are uninterested, you don’t take advantage of these many language-learning opportunities. You remain in your language-bubble separate from the world and people around you.

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We all know of people who have lived in a country for years without learning the country’s language. I could have continued to live here in Germany without having learned German, its citizens and its culture. For me, however, I came with a big portion of motivation and a million interested questions.

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Anyone and everyone can learn a foreign language and you can learn English if you are motivated and interested. Of course you can pack your bags and fly off to Australia to learn English but even that will not work without motivation and interest. One small motivated step at a time will move you towards your goal. Find ways to increase your motivation, your curiosity. And one step you could take right now is to click on the button ‚English‘ on the top right and read this text in English…..maybe you will learn a new word or two. (and those who want to learn some German, can do the same with German!) The next Learning Journal post will be more about how motivation works and what you can do to energize yours. See you soon!