- Hi, I'm Mark from Coffee Break Languages.
And I'm delighted to be back with another episode
in our series, all about helping you maximise
your language learning time
with our handy Language Learning Blueprint.
Now, in the last episode
we looked at setting goals.
And we talked about session goals, weekly goals,
longer term goals,
and also the fact that goals help routine.
We also talked about the fact that
you need to write down your goals
in order to be able to tick them off as you complete them.
Now, in this session
we're going to be looking at a different topic.
And this topic may seem a little bit strange in a sense,
but I'd like to explain a little more.
We're going to be looking at treating yourself,
and how treating yourself
can actually really help your language learning.
So let's take a look at some of ideas
for this session.
To begin with,
what I'd like you to think about
is making your language learning special.
What I mean by that is finding the perfect environment
for language learning.
Now, that could be in a particular room
in your house or a particular chair,
which you find really nice and comfortable
or it perhaps would be at your favourite coffee shop
because that's where you love to be, love to spend time.
And the fact is, if you can be in a nice place
if you can be in a comfortable location
then you're going to look forward to that time
that you're spending with your language learning.
Now, your environment can also include other things.
For example, you may want to make sure
you've got a nice cup of coffee or a nice fruit tea
that's going to last you a long time.
You may also want to think about surrounding yourself,
I don't know, with plants,
or perhaps going into any area of your garden.
If you have a nice garden where you can sit
and do your language learning there.
All of these things will help you make sure
that you can look forward to your language learning
and ensure that it's the best part of your day.
So, next up is thinking about your language learning toolkit
and making sure you've got the things with you
that you need to use for language learning.
And we've talked about this a little
in previous episodes, but your toolkit.
I mean all the kind of things that you might need.
So perhaps if you're using a textbook,
you would've that with you.
Perhaps you would need a notebook,
perhaps you would a particular app on your phone.
Personally, I would say you should treat yourself
to a new notebook.
Something that looks really nice.
Something that is good to make you want to use it.
And actually you may have noticed,
I've got some of my language learning notebooks here.
I always like to colour code.
So each notebook is for a different language.
What's this one?
I think this is Icelandic.
Yeah, so this is my Icelandic notebook.
(speaks Icelandic)
So this is where I've been taking my notes
and doing exercises from the book I'm working through.
And I like this kind of notebook.
And I also have my favourite pen to use
in my language learning.
So I know that when I'm using my nice notebook, my nice pen,
I know that I'm going to enjoy the experience.
And that's what it's all about
making sure that you're going to look forward
to that language learning experience each time you do it.
The other thing that we need to mention here
is the fact that
when you are doing something that's enjoyable,
let's face it.
It's easier to achieve.
So if you can help your mind associate learning
with pleasure, then it's going to be easier
to stick to your routine,
and plan ahead and achieve
your language learning more effectively.
Now for this episode, I'm delighted
that we're joined by Francesca from Coffee Break Italian.
So, Francesca, can you tell us
how you plan your language learning
and how you treat yourself
in order to make language learning as enjoyable as possible?
- (speaks Italian)
Well, learning language is really important for me
and I always try to make it a very special experience.
So what I usually do in my language learning routine
is first of all, learning in a nice place.
It can be either a cafe,
if you're doing something like reading.
But my preference is to sit in my living room
because I have a nice view on the park.
Before starting with the actual learning,
I always make myself a nice cup of tea, not coffee.
You might be surprised, but I prefer tea
because it lasts a little bit longer.
And something else that I do to create a nice environment
is having some background music.
It's normally a classical music, some music without words.
And my preferences are Bach or Chopin,
especially if I'm reading something.
What else?
Well, I'm a big fan of stationary,
so I always make sure I have nice notebooks.
One for language that I'm working on.
At the moment,
I have this one for Spanish and this one for French
because these are the two languages
I'm mastering at the moment.
And I also have
a "wee jotter"
as the Coffee Break Italian community knows
for the words that I learn in Italian as well.
And what else?
Well, finally, what I like to do is just reward myself.
If I have achieved all my learning goals of the week
I just like to treat myself to something.
It can be a new notebook or a nice meal
or watching a series in the is language.
But it's important that you also reward yourselves.
Well, this is it.
And yes, I'll hand you over to Mark. Ciao.
- (speaks Italian )
Thank you.
Look, I love Francesca's idea about putting on some music
and I would suggest if you can put on some music,
which is perhaps culturally linked
to the language that you're learning.
For example, if I'm working on some German,
I'd love to have some Beethoven piano sonatas
on in the background
or perhaps if I'm doing some work on French,
then I might have some Debussy playing
or something like that.
Recently, I was doing some Norwegian
and I was listening to lots of Grieg
particularly Grieg's piano concerto,
which is just wonderful.
Anyway, second movement, fantastic.
Okay, so let us take a quick look
through points for today,
the key points from this episode.
First of all, I'd like you
to think about making your learning special,
thinking about that environment
whether that be at home or in a coffee shop
or out and about walking in the park or something like that.
Make it somewhere nice for you.
Think of what you are surrounding yourself with,
the nice coffee or tea, the nice music,
the plants, and so on.
Second, we consider your toolkit and perhaps treat yourself,
if you can, to a new notebook
or find a pen that you like using,
or a pencil that you like using.
Just get nice things to help you
with your language learning.
And of course, the key point is
that when something is enjoyable
then it is more easy to achieve.
And that way you'll be achieving those goals
that you've set.
Okay, that's it for this episode,
I hope you've enjoyed it.
If you have, please give it a Like,
and let us know how you
like to make your environment special
for learning a language
or tell us about your language learning notebooks
or your toolkit.
Of course, if you would like to have more tapes like this
then make sure you subscribe to our channel,
and do click the little be icon that appears.
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whenever we post a new video.
For now, I'm going to leave it there.
I hope you've enjoyed it.
Thank you very much for watching,
and as ever, happy coffee breaking.