A girl talked to us few days ago. Let’s name her Sara Bhutto. Sara is living for many years in a German speaking country. She did A1 a long ago, but forgot grammar. She sounded nervous and said she can not speak. She was referred by one of our students who could speak German after A1.
As usual, we did a 10 minutes’ assessment test on phone call and found out that German skills of Sara were not that bad. She is a typical example of someone, suffering from self doubt. We invited her as a guest participant in our initial lessons of an ongoing A1 Course and she performed good and at the similar level of class mates.
On our feedback session after the trial class, Sara sounded happy and convinced by our teaching style. She said that others were better than her, which was a confirmation of her self-doubt. Her mindset was an example of many of learners. After my assessment Sara is naturally talented for language learning, but she has made German difficult for her due to the lack of proper guidance.
Because learning a new language is a difficult process, most of us take too much stress. We are in hurry and do not want to do the hard work. We forget that it is not a sprint, but a marathon. We sit for learning but lack useful tools and techniques. The language learning process must be fun.
DLG team requests all the German learners that they never underestimate their natural talent for language learning. They must have self-belief. German is easy and the journey can be exciting.
Firstly, congratulation on the success story of DLG in building self-confidence in Sara.
Secondly, I agree that self-doubt can indeed be detrimental to language learning. It can hinder your progress, decrease your motivation, and limit your ability to fully engage with the language-learning process. Here are a few reasons why self-doubt can be considered a poison for language learning:
– Negative mindset: Self-doubt often leads to a negative mindset, where you constantly question your abilities and underestimate your potential. This negative outlook can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, making it difficult to make progress in learning a new language.
– Fear of making mistakes: Self-doubt can make you overly concerned about making mistakes, which can inhibit your willingness to speak or write in the target language. Language learning inherently involves trial and error, and making mistakes is an integral part of the process. By fearing mistakes, you may limit your opportunities to practice and improve.
– Reduced confidence: When you doubt your language skills, your confidence takes a hit. Confidence is crucial in language learning as it allows you to take risks, communicate effectively, and engage with native speakers. Without confidence, you may hold back, miss out on opportunities to practice, and struggle to progress.
– Limited progress: Self-doubt often leads to a lack of perseverance and resilience. Language learning requires consistent effort and dedication over an extended period. If you doubt your abilities and become disheartened easily, you may give up prematurely, hindering your progress.
Finally, to combat the negative effects of self-doubt in language learning, it’s important to adopt a positive mindset and practice self-compassion. Recognize that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process and an opportunity for growth. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and focus on your progress rather than comparing yourself to others. Surround yourself with supportive language-learning communities or find a language partner who can provide encouragement and feedback. And last but not least, set realistic goals and break them down into manageable steps to maintain motivation and track your progress along the way.
Thank you Dr. Sahiba for sharing your thoughts and insights.
Your DLG Team