My Language Learning Journey

Hey everyone! I’m Sophie and I’m a writer here at Language Learners International! Currently I self-study three languages (although one of them I was taught in school) and it brings me so much happiness and a sense of pride every day. I love seeing how impressed people look when they find out I'm studying German, Italian and Chinese-and all without a teacher! I want to take you on a journey with me today, all about where I started with languages, how I found my love for them and where I’m at today.

I began learning languages when I was around 13 and I started learning German in secondary school (or what you may know as high school). To begin with I didn’t have too much interest in it, it was just another school subject I was made to take for the next 5 years. However, the more I learnt and the better I got, I actually started to really enjoy the feeling I got of being able to speak a foreign language. It gave me a real thrill. Two years later my school set us up with German pen-pals and I would write to my pen-pal in German and they would write back in English. It was a fun experience to hear about someone's life in another country, as well as feel the relief that they were able to understand what I was saying!

A few years later I attended a school trip to Berlin, and this really impacted how I felt about language learning. Being in a country where people spoke the language that I was aiming to learn and being surrounded by such historically rich culture really sparked my interest. I had never been to a city that made me feel the way Berlin did, I was in awe.

Unfortunately, once I left school (and after getting a B in my GCSE for German). I decided to not attend college at all and go straight into a full-time job. This is where my language learning definitely took a toll. I completely neglected any use of the language; I didn’t study it or even pick up a German book for two years! I was so wrapped up being free and earning money that I forgot to continue the thing that provided me with so much joy before.

Two years later and where am I at? Well, since COVID-19 hit the UK and we went into a lockdown for around 3 months, I had a lot of free time on my hands. At first, the thought of learning languages didn’t even cross my mind, I spent most of my days reading or watching TV (but didn’t we all? Haha!). Around a month into the lockdown, after watching some Youtubers who spoke foreign languages, my interest in language learning was sparked once again, and suddenly it’s all I wanted to do. I was adamant that I would start it again and that’s exactly what I did! I began taking in as much German content as I could, watching Youtubers who spoke German or challenges of people only speaking German for 24 hours. I was enthusiastic to start up my language learning journey again. I then decided to tackle Italian, as I was planning a trip to Italy and also began watching a Youtuber who was learning Italian. I now study German, Italian and Chinese all from the comfort of my own home and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made! Studying Chinese is really important to me as I have Chinese family and I would love to be able to converse with them in their native language! Beginning my studies again not only keeps me occupied during my free time but it also brings me so much happiness and has even helped me with my time management skills as I study all of these 3 languages as well as having a full-time job!

To finish up, I just want to tell you all that it is not easy, there will be bumps in the road and things that are tricky, but stick with it! Language learning is not only a great hobby to have but it can also provide us with great friendships, job prospects and great opportunities! I wish you all the best on your journeys throughout the world and languages! I can’t wait to see the language learning community continue to grow!

Work hard!

-Sophs