Comments on: Hitting a brick wall in your language progress http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/ Unconventional language hacking tips from Benny the Irish polyglot; travelling the world to learn languages to fluency and beyond! Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:53:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: MarieAnne http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-2762 MarieAnne Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:12:08 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-2762 Dear Benny, I think you've made a great job! I admire your persistence and will to win. I think your experience will be a good example and a source of inspiration 4 everyone. Keep trying! And if you decide to take up Russian, I'll be happy to help you :) Dear Benny,
I think you’ve made a great job! I admire your persistence and will to win. I think your experience will be a good example and a source of inspiration 4 everyone. Keep trying!
And if you decide to take up Russian, I’ll be happy to help you :)

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1220 benny Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:04:22 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1220 The niceness of those on the net will never cease to amaze me :) I was a little disappointed in not reaching the end target, but all of these comments completely cheered me up! I'm feeling very motivated now as I embark on my next mission :D The niceness of those on the net will never cease to amaze me :) I was a little disappointed in not reaching the end target, but all of these comments completely cheered me up! I’m feeling very motivated now as I embark on my next mission :D

]]> By: PriscillaOchoa http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1131 PriscillaOchoa Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:28:39 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1131 Dzień Dobry, Benny! Dziękuję za wszystko... cya w Rio! pa pa! Dzień Dobry, Benny!
Dziękuję za wszystko…
cya w Rio!

pa pa!

]]> By: Matt http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1114 Matt Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:50:04 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1114 Wow, your blog has totally inspired me to jump back into learning my two favorite languages, Portuguese and Afrikaans. I would also like to tell you that I greatly admire your dedication and your drive to be successful and that you are a great language learner and a true role model for the rest of us. I think that you should try to study a Celtic language or perhaps a Baltic or North Germanic language sometime on one of your future endeavors. Thanks! Wow, your blog has totally inspired me to jump back into learning my two favorite languages, Portuguese and Afrikaans. I would also like to tell you that I greatly admire your dedication and your drive to be successful and that you are a great language learner and a true role model for the rest of us. I think that you should try to study a Celtic language or perhaps a Baltic or North Germanic language sometime on one of your future endeavors. Thanks!

]]> By: Linda http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1101 Linda Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:35:32 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1101 Thanks for the honesty. I totally see your point. When I told my sister and friends I badly wanted to learn Italian they all all thought I was crazy. They suggested that I try Spanish instead because I'd have a better chance to use it. First of all I live in India so its rare that I will use either language but It was my dream to learn another the language so I figured, I should explore their advice. I love South America amd have serveral frens who speak spanish, so I began buying books and cd's etc. It was a few days into listening to the disks that I relized, I dont want to learn spanish, its a beautiful language and it sounds wonderful and I want to travel to SA again soon but nope, not interested in actually learning it. For me I loved Italy, the people the sounds the smells and the language I love the language. So even though its more practical to learn spanish, I know Italian has 10x better chace of becoming my second language then spanish ever will. And who knows maybe after Italian, Spanish maybe has a chance. P.S Good luck in Brazil (just my guess!!!) Thanks for the honesty. I totally see your point. When I told my sister and friends I badly wanted to learn Italian they all all thought I was crazy. They suggested that I try Spanish instead because I’d have a better chance to use it. First of all I live in India so its rare that I will use either language but It was my dream to learn another the language so I figured, I should explore their advice. I love South America amd have serveral frens who speak spanish, so I began buying books and cd’s etc. It was a few days into listening to the disks that I relized, I dont want to learn spanish, its a beautiful language and it sounds wonderful and I want to travel to SA again soon but nope, not interested in actually learning it. For me I loved Italy, the people the sounds the smells and the language I love the language. So even though its more practical to learn spanish, I know Italian has 10x better chace of becoming my second language then spanish ever will. And who knows maybe after Italian, Spanish maybe has a chance. P.S Good luck in Brazil (just my guess!!!)

]]> By: Bergino http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1046 Bergino Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:19:15 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1046 Via trimonata eksperimento konvinkis min ke MI povus lerni iun lingvon en unu jaro. Mi antaŭe neniam pensis tiel. Ĉu mia unujara eksperimento komenciĝas ĉi tiun jaron aŭ la venontan, mi ankoraŭ ne decidis. Via trimonata eksperimento konvinkis min ke MI povus lerni iun lingvon en unu jaro. Mi antaŭe neniam pensis tiel. Ĉu mia unujara eksperimento komenciĝas ĉi tiun jaron aŭ la venontan, mi ankoraŭ ne decidis.

]]> By: dzurisova http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1044 dzurisova Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:20:57 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1044 Well, I thought I would be bummed if you didn't make it. But you are just so darn likable, logical, and honest that I can't help but feel proud of you. In just 2 ½ short months, you’ve learned “pretty good Czech”, gathered a following of people, inspired us to throw away excuses, and taught us all some very useful tips in learning a language. Your humility allowed you to share your experiences – good and bad – with the world and your confidence keeps you going onto the next project. As far as I’m concerned you didn’t prove it could be done nor did you prove it couldn’t; but you sure accomplished a lot. Perhaps some other shmuck will come along and try the same objective and prove it for us – doubt it, but ya never know. Anyway, thanks for your willingness to put yourself out on the line before the internet world. After all, you could have tried it without saying a word to anyone. But you shared it with us and for that we are all grateful. :) Well, I thought I would be bummed if you didn’t make it. But you are just so darn likable, logical, and honest that I can’t help but feel proud of you. In just 2 ½ short months, you’ve learned “pretty good Czech”, gathered a following of people, inspired us to throw away excuses, and taught us all some very useful tips in learning a language. Your humility allowed you to share your experiences – good and bad – with the world and your confidence keeps you going onto the next project. As far as I’m concerned you didn’t prove it could be done nor did you prove it couldn’t; but you sure accomplished a lot. Perhaps some other shmuck will come along and try the same objective and prove it for us – doubt it, but ya never know. Anyway, thanks for your willingness to put yourself out on the line before the internet world. After all, you could have tried it without saying a word to anyone. But you shared it with us and for that we are all grateful. :)

]]> By: Matt http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1040 Matt Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:09:19 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1040 That's reassuring, thanks. Enjoy your well-earned 47 hour break! That’s reassuring, thanks.

Enjoy your well-earned 47 hour break!

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1039 benny Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:00:59 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1039 Sorry Keith, but those languages don't scare me! A language is only "difficult" if you keep telling yourself it is ;) I'll dive into a language whenever I feel like it and not wait until I'm "ready". Please don't hold yourself back with such unhelpful thoughts!! My next project won't be about a difficult language, but a difficult objective... Sorry Keith, but those languages don’t scare me! A language is only “difficult” if you keep telling yourself it is ;) I’ll dive into a language whenever I feel like it and not wait until I’m “ready”. Please don’t hold yourself back with such unhelpful thoughts!!
My next project won’t be about a difficult language, but a difficult objective…

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1038 benny Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:58:48 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1038 mi parolis la plejparton de mia ĉeĥa dum la 2 semajnoj post IJK. Mi tro timis paroli kun vi kaj la aliaj ĉeĥoj dum IJK :P Kaj mi bedaŭras jam paroli malpli bone pro devi labori kaj ne ekzerci :( Kiel mi diris en alia komento, estas tro da laboro konservi bonan nivelon; mi jam devas fari ĝin por 7 lingvoj... mi bedaŭrinde ne povos paroli kun vi en la ĉeĥa dum la venontaj E-aranĝoj (JES, ktp)! Malgraŭ tio, mi pasigis ege bonan someron en via lando kaj mi adoras la homojn ĉi tie kaj la kulturon kaj la lingvon :) Mi multe vojaĝos sed mi esperas reveni ĉi tien iam! Mi malkaŝos la sekvan provon post 2 semajnoj ;) ;) mi parolis la plejparton de mia ĉeĥa dum la 2 semajnoj post IJK. Mi tro timis paroli kun vi kaj la aliaj ĉeĥoj dum IJK :P
Kaj mi bedaŭras jam paroli malpli bone pro devi labori kaj ne ekzerci :(
Kiel mi diris en alia komento, estas tro da laboro konservi bonan nivelon; mi jam devas fari ĝin por 7 lingvoj… mi bedaŭrinde ne povos paroli kun vi en la ĉeĥa dum la venontaj E-aranĝoj (JES, ktp)!
Malgraŭ tio, mi pasigis ege bonan someron en via lando kaj mi adoras la homojn ĉi tie kaj la kulturon kaj la lingvon :) Mi multe vojaĝos sed mi esperas reveni ĉi tien iam!
Mi malkaŝos la sekvan provon post 2 semajnoj ;) ;)

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1037 benny Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:51:24 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1037 Díky!!!!! :D Díky!!!!! :D

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1036 benny Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:50:33 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1036 Thanks Jon!! I'm glad to see that I've created a little anticipation to see what the next mission will be :P Hopefully it will be worth the wait :) Thanks Jon!! I’m glad to see that I’ve created a little anticipation to see what the next mission will be :P Hopefully it will be worth the wait :)

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1035 benny Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:49:36 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1035 Dankon russ!!! :) Mi ne faros la saman eraron en mia venonta eksperimento :) Dankon russ!!! :) Mi ne faros la saman eraron en mia venonta eksperimento :)

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1034 benny Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:47:58 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1034 Thanks for your positive upbeat comment cestina :) I'm glad everyone here is understanding my scientific approach to learning languages :) You're right; an experiment can never really fail :) Thanks for your positive upbeat comment cestina :)
I’m glad everyone here is understanding my scientific approach to learning languages :) You’re right; an experiment can never really fail :)

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1033 benny Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:46:28 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1033 Not yet ;) Sadly you'll have to wait about two weeks until I reveal exactly what my next project will be! Not yet ;) Sadly you’ll have to wait about two weeks until I reveal exactly what my next project will be!

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1032 benny Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:45:15 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1032 lol!! Interesting theory :P But surely I would have just said I made it to fluency if I was faking being a foreigner? :D I've corrected that mistake thanks for pointing it out!! lol!! Interesting theory :P But surely I would have just said I made it to fluency if I was faking being a foreigner? :D
I’ve corrected that mistake thanks for pointing it out!!

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1031 benny Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:43:07 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1031 Thanks as always for the positive reinforcement Balint :) I've thought long and hard and unfortunately (due to the lack of passion as I've mentioned in this post) I will not be adding Czech to my list of languages that I intend to maintain. I don't think of "giving up" on it lightly; Working on each language is a LOT of work and is very time consuming. I devote so much time to making sure that my level in French, Portuguese etc. does not slip away. It will be too much effort to add another language to that mix that I do not fully appreciate. I will however be adding more languages to my permanent list :) I just have to find the right ones ;) I will continue to speak Czech while in Prague, but I am sure that my level will diminish very quickly once I leave. I used to speak German but lack of practise has meant that I have lost that and I have already accepted that this will definitely happen to my Czech. I am an optimist, as I show on this blog, but I am also a realist and experience tells me that I need to accept the inevitable ;) Thanks as always for the positive reinforcement Balint :)
I’ve thought long and hard and unfortunately (due to the lack of passion as I’ve mentioned in this post) I will not be adding Czech to my list of languages that I intend to maintain. I don’t think of “giving up” on it lightly; Working on each language is a LOT of work and is very time consuming. I devote so much time to making sure that my level in French, Portuguese etc. does not slip away. It will be too much effort to add another language to that mix that I do not fully appreciate.
I will however be adding more languages to my permanent list :) I just have to find the right ones ;)
I will continue to speak Czech while in Prague, but I am sure that my level will diminish very quickly once I leave. I used to speak German but lack of practise has meant that I have lost that and I have already accepted that this will definitely happen to my Czech. I am an optimist, as I show on this blog, but I am also a realist and experience tells me that I need to accept the inevitable ;)

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1030 benny Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:37:50 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1030 Thanks for your comment Alex! It makes me so happy to hear that my story has inspired others, and I hope my later ones will too!! This blog and the other one are separate projects for me. I will only be making about 5 videos a year because of the huge amount of work involved in recording, editing and translating them, but I will be updating the site! Whenever it's a language related video I'll show it here too, but there are plenty of other videos I make so feel free to stay subscribed even if I won't update for a while! Thanks for your comment Alex! It makes me so happy to hear that my story has inspired others, and I hope my later ones will too!!
This blog and the other one are separate projects for me. I will only be making about 5 videos a year because of the huge amount of work involved in recording, editing and translating them, but I will be updating the site! Whenever it’s a language related video I’ll show it here too, but there are plenty of other videos I make so feel free to stay subscribed even if I won’t update for a while!

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1029 benny Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:35:29 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1029 Thanks so much for the mocktail!! This Friday I get a well deserved 47 hour (yes, exactly that) break from work and I will be having a crazy night out on you!! :D I can guarantee that I will be sharing that drink with someone... Cheers! Definitely apply these tips and let us know how YOUR experiment goes! Your question is valid and I have to say immediately that I did NOT find Czechs rude. Everyone I met was very nice to me and super helpful. In the very touristy centre people are impatient with all foreigners (and as you've shown, with Czechs too), but this is the same in many major cities, especially under the pressure of tourist packed August. I highly recommend Prague to live in. I just didn't have a special connection with this city like I have had in other places; this is my own fault and because of my own particular tastes. Thanks so much for the mocktail!! This Friday I get a well deserved 47 hour (yes, exactly that) break from work and I will be having a crazy night out on you!! :D I can guarantee that I will be sharing that drink with someone… Cheers!
Definitely apply these tips and let us know how YOUR experiment goes!
Your question is valid and I have to say immediately that I did NOT find Czechs rude. Everyone I met was very nice to me and super helpful. In the very touristy centre people are impatient with all foreigners (and as you’ve shown, with Czechs too), but this is the same in many major cities, especially under the pressure of tourist packed August. I highly recommend Prague to live in. I just didn’t have a special connection with this city like I have had in other places; this is my own fault and because of my own particular tastes.

]]> By: Matt http://www.fluentin3months.com/hitting-a-brick-wall-in-your-language-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1028 Matt Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:07:27 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=495#comment-1028 PS - I was interested in your comment that you didn't fall in love with the language or its people. As a soon to be expat in Prague I'm interested to hear what your experience was of Czech people. The shop assistants are famous for their rudeness - my girlfriend is Czech and I'm often shocked by the things shop workers have said to her - it all goes over my head at this poing of course. Her mother has an interesting strategy with that - if someone is rude to her in a shop she says "you can also slap me if you like", to which they respond "eh?" and she says "well it's seems you'd like to slap me so I thought I'd offer". What about other Czechs you've encountered? Are they friendly / welcoming to foreigners? I'd be interested in other readers views on this also. Thanks, Matt PS – I was interested in your comment that you didn’t fall in love with the language or its people. As a soon to be expat in Prague I’m interested to hear what your experience was of Czech people.

The shop assistants are famous for their rudeness – my girlfriend is Czech and I’m often shocked by the things shop workers have said to her – it all goes over my head at this poing of course. Her mother has an interesting strategy with that – if someone is rude to her in a shop she says “you can also slap me if you like”, to which they respond “eh?” and she says “well it’s seems you’d like to slap me so I thought I’d offer”. What about other Czechs you’ve encountered? Are they friendly / welcoming to foreigners? I’d be interested in other readers views on this also.

Thanks,
Matt

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