A New Way to Track Language Learning
FREE Language Logbook
Welcome, aspiring polyglot! I have been quiet this week, but only because I was working to develop a free tool for people to use. If you want to grab yours before I even explain it, you can get it here:
For those who would like to know more, the idea behind the language logbook is similar to that of a gym logbook. It is much easier to see where you’re going if you can remember where you’ve been. That is where the language logbook comes in, especially for busy working adults.
Pick up where you left off
One of the most difficult things for working adults when it comes to learning anything is getting in and out of study sessions. Having a written record of what was previously looked at, how it fit together, and any struggles that were consistently arising allows for a targeted, intentional approach to language learning sessions.
Creating a system that allows for maximum progress per session is vital for working adults or, really, anyone who has a lot going on at a given time. The more things there are to juggle the more important time management becomes and that is precisely the goal of the language learning logbook I developed. While there are currently some more in depth, language specific, logbooks in development, I didn’t want to wait for those to be ready to get this out to people.
Not only is it a way to supercharge each language learning session, it’s a way to keep track of progress over days, weeks, and months. As the first iteration of this is digital, it is possible to add infinite pages to it. When the physical version is ready, it will likely be over 100 pages in order to accommodate all that goes into learning a new language.
A Written Record
I’m not sure I will ever stop talking about the importance of having a written record. However, I do understand the difficulties associated with creating a system to facilitate the development of a written record. In fact, there are undoubtedly things I missed and should go back to add, and if you see or think of anything that is missing please do let me know! If your suggestion makes it into the final version you may just receive a copy of your own for free!
For those curious about what I’m talking about, read it here:
How to Know You're Winning: A Written Record
In short, having a written record will allow you to dive directly in where you left off time after time. It will also give you something to look at and through during times of stagnation. Plateaus are completely normal and they come for everyone. The best way to go about dealing with plateaus is by giving yourself as many ways to develop and maintain momentum as possible. This written record is key for the maintenance aspect. That said here’s what I included in my first iteration of the logbook and why.
The Logbook
The basic version is rather simple, but it is something that is easy to maintain and, truthfully, simple beats complex most of the time. Here’s what it looks like:
Lots of writing space
Writing is vital to successful language acquisition. I’ve provided ample space for writing (or typing in this case)
Conjugation Matrices
Space to map out present tense conjugations for 100 words or multiple conjugation tenses of fewer words
Space to fill in descriptive words
Knowing adjectives and adverbs is vital. Focus on the way you already use in your native language
Dedicated pages for synonyms and antonyms
Learning these is a phenomenal way to break out of the prison that is only being able to use certain words
Pages to write sentences
While I provide plenty of space to write at the end, there are also several pages for just writing sentences and correcting the sentences from the previous week
If that sounds like something you would find useful, you can get it for FREE!!
For those of you would would rather wait for the language specific versions or the physical versions, I completely understand. In fact, if you prefer to make your own I get it. However, developing a good logbook is a goal of mine, so if you do pick this one up and notice something is missing, please let me know so I can add it in and take it from good to great.
Full content articles will resume next week! Thank you all for sticking with me through these tumultuous times.
Conclusion
There are many examples out there of ways to stay motivated when learning a new language, but having a proper progress recording system in place takes the guess work out of things. Whether the focus is on becoming fluent, being able to explain complex legal documents, or learning the key pieces of the alphabet before fulling diving in to some other goals, be sure to record the effort being put forth.
Whether it's just building up a foundation of vocabulary words or working on organizing phrases into poetry, having the written history of progress is always worthwhile.
It will be difficult, but you can do difficult things and become great. So keep doing difficult things and working to become great. I will be working to do the same by your side.
For more content you can find me on Twitter or Instagram. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the website Second Language Strategies and all of the resources and tools being compiled there. I look forward to seeing everyone’s progress in the months and years to come.