The Best Parts Of Learning Languages To High Levels | Motivational Stories

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
  • Staying motivated to stick with studying a language can be tough, especially when there is so much temptation to start another language instead. This video will motivate you to keep advancing your skills to those coveted highly advanced levels that many of us dream about!
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ความคิดเห็น • 69

  • @JonathanOlelo
    @JonathanOlelo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    That's the beauty of not focusing only on just learning the language, but also learning the culture, different accents and slangs, and how the language changes between different countries.
    Personally it's one of my favorite parts in language studying :)

  • @o_felipe_reis
    @o_felipe_reis 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I love when I begin to feel the language. It’s more than understanding or acquiring. It’s about the heart.

  • @heyitsme226
    @heyitsme226 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I also love it when a native speaker is not sure about how to say something in particular in their own language (like which preposition to use with a certain verb or how to conjugate a verb properly) and they double check it with you because they trust your language skills! (For the most part, if they don't know, I won't know either ahah but the feeling of them asking me to help them is definitely one of the best parts of learning a language to a high level!)

    • @Nico97fr
      @Nico97fr 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I also love when I see native speakers doing grammar and orthography mistakes while writing, online. You notice what's wrong, and it increases your self confidence a lot, like: if they are also doing mistakes, who's going to judge me as a foreigner, you know what I mean.

    • @heyitsme226
      @heyitsme226 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Nico97fr This is so true! I always feel like correcting them when that happens ahha But I always keep it to myself, which feels pretty good as well

  • @blindschach
    @blindschach 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    You know it's storytime when he takes out the "Cozy mug". For me, an important moment on my French journey was when I realized that I'm able to make puns (something very characteristic for me in my native german). I felt a lot more like "myself" than before.

  • @majaszambelanczyk-andrys8445
    @majaszambelanczyk-andrys8445 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Hey Robin. I really like learning languages, I'm an English teacher but for some time I've been struggling to find the meaning in my work. It seemed to me that languages are not as important, that no one gives a damn about them and we can survive not knowing foreign languages. It was difficult to treat my work and my passion seriously. And still is because it takes time to change the mindset.
    But while watching tour video I felt that my heart has opened and I realized that life is about people and communication. And trying to understand them. And I see that it's hard for me to open to people and to want to understand them, because I've been always afraid of people. I struggle to be really myself, as I fear being judged.
    I feel that this video has just been a little step towards accepting myself and opening to people. Thank you. Can't wait to see your next videos!

  • @roots_and_ruin
    @roots_and_ruin 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Oh wow I can relate to laughing at things in French because they seems so harsh/ blunt/ sarcastic when it's really just how French is sometimes...Often I end up wondering if whatever I am reading is intended as comedy or not :')

  • @ursula7498
    @ursula7498 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    What you said about the French being able to express things in a very sarcastic, precise, blunt and for foreigners absolutely hilarious way is exactly what I associate with the British way of talking...It is this sort of dry humour which makes you cry with laughter. At least when you are German 😬

  • @skwisgaarskwigelf331
    @skwisgaarskwigelf331 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    In Spain we usually say "qué bueno está" or "está muy rico" (but still less common than bueno). Never "es muy rico", never ever ever. That means "he/she's very rich". "ser" vs "estar" are subtlely different. So much so, that it could very well be one of the key differences between fluent speakers vs native speakers.
    Bonus tip: latin american people often use the 'pretérito perfecto simple', while we tend to use the 'pretérito perfecto compuesto'. This would only apply when you could choose either one of those tenses. Otherwise, just use them like you would in English, respectively.

    • @belens5916
      @belens5916 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Para mi depende mucho del contexto, osea oraciones como "la pizza en ese restaurante es muy rica" me suenan bien y son comunes dónde yo vivo. Supongo que también tiene que ver con que el español se habla bastante diferente en distintos lugares. De todas maneras coincido en que cuando estás hablando de una comida que estás comiendo en el momento el verbo estar se usa más

  • @DVasquez91
    @DVasquez91 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Your stories remind me of a time when my Spanish wasn't that good but this guy from Guatemala brought me to his American kids and said "this guy speaks real Spanish" "este chico habla el español puro"...and I went as red as a tomato. The kids didn't care one bit

  • @tommyhuffman7499
    @tommyhuffman7499 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    You're just so cheery and chill. That's why I keep coming back.

  • @lilariosperrin4371
    @lilariosperrin4371 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hey Robin, I totally agree with what you said in this video. I'm a half French half Argentinian 14-year-old and a couple of years ago I started learning English. It feels so good to reach such a high level in the language you are trying to learn. It's just so satisfying. Not only that, it can truly connect you with people. Anyways, I love your videos you've helped me so much staying motivated to learn Dutch. Thank you so much for that and I wish you all the best.

  • @Ewan_Smith
    @Ewan_Smith 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    With the use of idiomatic expressions - Korean has idioms based off Chinese 4-character idioms, and one of the first ones I learnt really early on was 전화위복, meaning a blessing in disguise. I never used it in a conversation until maybe 2 years after I learnt it. It was just how you described - the conversation was flowing, and the right opportunity came up to use this idiom. The conversation in question was with a group older ladies, and their reaction was amazing

  • @a.r.4707
    @a.r.4707 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I was told sometimes also that i'm one of the arabs when i had a chat with them or that i'm a serb with serbs. With some nationalities you don't even need to be like that fluent really, just some basic conversational skills are enough but if you know many local/colloquial expressions that is appreciated usually. When i was in england i was never told that you are one of us even if i spoke english fluently and used british expressions a lot etc.

  • @thomasatwood4032
    @thomasatwood4032 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Have to say. Always look forward to your videos. I am currently learning Japanese, and seeing another perspective on language learning gives me motivation knowing that someday I can be fluent. Thanks.

  • @joshhickman528
    @joshhickman528 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    wasup notification squad 😎

  • @anduril2695
    @anduril2695 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I've been studying Chinese on and off for literal years, and never get much past the low B2 level...then I get interested in another language and push Chinese aside for 6 months, 1 year. If I could just stick with it like I did with Spanish my Chinese could be sooo much better than it currently is. But it's so damned hard. And Arabic is calling...

  • @alobo_78
    @alobo_78 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Es muy cierto, cuando dices las palabras que más usamos o alguna en especial que nos identifica pues se siente... super chevere!

  • @jorgeromera3861
    @jorgeromera3861 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Adaptarse al contexto lingüístico es realmente inteligente. Crea una mayor conexión con tu interlocutor. Me parece genial, Robin.

  • @baileyfulton492
    @baileyfulton492 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Robin,
    Your perspective here illustrates what excites me about language learning so well - I got a little teary eyed, I have to admit. It's interesting because I was thinking about all the resources I am using to learn spanish right now (my first time learning a language besides my native english) and none of them touch on this emotional, interpersonal aspect so well. It's all so... cognitive and about grammar and function and it misses this human element of connection. It was also really beautiful to hear you describe that feeling of belonging because I'm often nervous I'll be seen as intrusive or a burden, and it was a good reminder - I never view an english learner as a burden or intrusive, so what am I doing to myself? Thank you as always for your work and sharing!
    - Bailey

  • @jz4901
    @jz4901 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Hola Robin, great video as always!
    Somewhat related to this, I'd love to hear your perspective and insights on how to not get overwhelmed with the number of resources, or even the new items, in the given language you're learning. You somewhat touch on it when you mention the "intuition" you have with a language. Eg, I'm at a strong intermediate level in Spanish, and so have started to get into different content -- and there is always a _ton_ of new things in every news article etc that I'm reading. It's easy to feel a need to try to learn absolutely everything in any article, but that probably isn't the best strategy in general (perhaps casting a wider net is better).
    Cheers y un abrazo desde Canada, jz

  • @samstone1977
    @samstone1977 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This was so good. We all have our reasons for learning languages. I smiled throughout this video... except for a minute when you talked about leaving your Japanese friend.
    I’m already making connections like you talked about. My tutor is my friend. We speak Spanglish to each other.
    Happy holidays and wishing you continued success.

  • @sharonoddlyenough
    @sharonoddlyenough 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just yesterday one of my favourite TH-camrs included a short bit of Swedish in the middle of his video, and it was so cool to understand it. Then in the comments, several if us were translating it for others and starting short exchanges in Swedish, and that was even better. It was like really being a part of the experience.

  • @ofgodzeus
    @ofgodzeus 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I soo relate to what you said concerning Spanish. I try to adjust my speech as well. I remember when I first leanred "que chevere" from my friend from Peru and then I used it with another friend who's also from Peru for the first time and he was like "eeesoooo" hahaha I love it!

  • @ehsaneftekhari-zadeh3145
    @ehsaneftekhari-zadeh3145 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I like watching your weekly videos in a cosy atmosphere

  • @beyondthedojo229
    @beyondthedojo229 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hi Robin MacPherson, Try learning Tamil. One of the oldest classical language in the world. Many great personalities like GU Pope, Robert Caldwell, Constanzo Beschi are students of Tamil and contributed to its new-age literature

  • @fratira7271
    @fratira7271 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    True! It's so satisfying when you can argue with someone and understand comedy, that even the argument you're having seems to be having fun.
    Thanks for the coffee break Robin!
    Francesco :)

  • @agustinreyesgarcia23
    @agustinreyesgarcia23 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I could not agree more

  • @user-qm6nz3dv3q
    @user-qm6nz3dv3q ปีที่แล้ว

    It's such a great pleasure to observe how excited you are about learning languages 🥰 thanks a lot about your experience)

  • @Nico97fr
    @Nico97fr 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Merci d'avoir partagé ces anecdotes. C'est très motivant, inspirant, et je me retrouve dans beaucoup des points que tu évoques.

  • @brendansweeney7468
    @brendansweeney7468 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is exactly what I needed to hear. I have been struggling to stay motivated on my quest to bring my Gaelic to a higher level beyond just conversational.

  • @christiant.g.994
    @christiant.g.994 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This may very well be my favourite video of yours ❤️

  • @josivaldosilva1457
    @josivaldosilva1457 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    i really love it thanks a lot from brazil

  • @igorbuzios4488
    @igorbuzios4488 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Robin, beautifully said. I thought it was amazing the way you described how idioms, slangs, can really improve your interaction with other people and cultures. Personally I've experienced that in many different occasions and it was always so satisfying and encouraging for me, that I kept going and improving the languages that I have/had. Unfortunately because of the Quarantine I lost a lot of my motivation, and I don't know how I can continue with language learning if I'm not talking to anyone. If you can give me an advice about how you keep your learning routine I'll be pleased : ) !

    • @joebender9052
      @joebender9052 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      He has a recent video about how to practice talking by yourself.

    • @jorgeromera3861
      @jorgeromera3861 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Lockdown took its toll on my motivation in the early stages. I kept reading in English (Harari's books, by the way) and listening to interesting podcasts and TH-cam videos.
      Don't give up!

  • @EFoxVN
    @EFoxVN 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Dear Robin,
    Thanks so much for your lovely anecdotes. They are really inspiring and pleasant to listen to.
    Much love from South Africa

    • @maryjem02
      @maryjem02 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      im from sa too
      Love from cpt ❤❤

  • @rosannadimasciosabbagh8890
    @rosannadimasciosabbagh8890 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    OMG!!!! Tú acabas de decir CHEVERE!!!!!! 😱😻🥰🥰 eres el mejor!!! Si soy de Venezuela viviendo en Miami/FL!!!

  • @ferihaemir1482
    @ferihaemir1482 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    you mean to say touch the emotions with words

  • @shioszk
    @shioszk 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi Robin. I have a really lovely time
    with series of amazing videos you posted.
    I have learned what a fantastic Japanese you speak though, you in this video really very surprised me!
    You are also great at 博多弁,大阪弁、and 京都弁 which I even do not know!
    Plus you have shared an episode
    of your friend, まやさん and
    I happened to catch the video
    the other day. That has helped me a lot to understand what you are saying about her.
    I feel her so much.
    That is beyond language!
    I have been British English and I tend to seek correctness to be a
    native like speaker. On the other hand, I have been irritating myself
    because I do not feel my English
    is improving.
    Probably it is almost time I should change my mindset to learning language.
    Millions of thanks to you for your
    massive dedication for us language
    learners, or I should say, polyglots to
    be!
    Robinさんは とてもていねいな
    日本語を話されますね。
    そんなRobinさんを見習って 私も
    いろいろな外国語を ていねいに
    話せるように
    勉強を続けていきます。
    I am looking forward to your next
    video coming up.
    Have a nice one.
    ( ^-^)ノ∠※。.:*:・'°☆

  • @Whimswirl
    @Whimswirl 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I wish I could be your friend, you just seem so lovely. Your mannerisms remind me of a dear friend of mine and I just adore your enthusiasm and positivity :)

  • @brunoleonardo929
    @brunoleonardo929 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for this Robin! This was really encouraging. I was losing hope with my language learning. But this definitely put some wind in my sails🙏

  • @schoolingdiana9086
    @schoolingdiana9086 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This episode has been eye opening.
    I’m thinking part of my German reacquisition issues are because my life is so substantially different than it was when I first learned German. It’s not just that Reagan isn’t president--I have a degree in Indigenous People’s Law, work in diversity circles, am VERY involved daily with Native culture (something that wasn’t an option on our very remote farm, at the time), and I knew virtually nothing about hockey--while now I have 2 boys who play and I’m learning to be a goalie. I didn’t really cook in the 80s and I definitely didn’t do a lot of housework (NEVER did the laundry or cleaned the bathroom). When I learned German in the 80s, it was very much student-oriented vocabulary, and I remember my first essay was about my sewing machine. Today, my craft focus is more knitting, Native beadwork, and quilting-I didn’t even know how to do those last 2 in the 80s, much less goal tending.
    My English vocabulary is so dramatically different from what it was in high school. Shouldn’t my German be, also? To be sure, reviewing basic greetings, the weather, directions, grammar rules, will never go out of style, but that’s such a small part of what I talk about now, even in English.
    This episode has definitely given me a lot of food for thought.

  • @icaitox
    @icaitox 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Que chévere este video vale!

  • @amelieveegaert8841
    @amelieveegaert8841 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Je suis tjrs epatee par tes connaissances de la culture francaise! J’ai etudie a Lille 🤣 Je te conseille Back to Burgundy sur netflix si tu n’as pas vu, assez bon film.

  • @luismelendez8465
    @luismelendez8465 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I from venezuela and... que chevere this video 😂👍🏻

  • @Ryosuke1208
    @Ryosuke1208 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Didn't know Spaniards don't usually say "Riquísimo" and I'm a native spanish speaker from latin america.

  • @michikotreacher
    @michikotreacher 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hi Robin, Thank you and I understand exactly what you mean, having learnt 2 languages. I noticed one thing though. お冷やは京都以外、例えば関東でも普通に使いますよ。

    • @justjoshininjapan700
      @justjoshininjapan700 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I thought it was just to differentiate between ice water and regular water. Thanks for the clarification!

    • @michikotreacher
      @michikotreacher 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@justjoshininjapan700 yes お冷や is cold water but interestingly it's used in eateries rather than at home. Also as extra information, cold Sake can be 冷や

  • @sebastienlopezmassoni8107
    @sebastienlopezmassoni8107 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The French native speakers from the notehrn part of france change the way to pronounce the diphtongues and vowel too for instance in the movie " Bienvenu chez les ch'tis" They say "chô" for the word chat --> the cat. The sound "s" is superceded by the sound "ch" ch'est bin ço? -->c'est bien ça ?

  • @davb11
    @davb11 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Excelente video 👌

  • @ritchie4295
    @ritchie4295 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really enjoyed the video and the message in it ! I do think that languages can deeply connect people 😌

  • @the_oneironaut
    @the_oneironaut 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm sure I will reach that level!

  • @fero___3005
    @fero___3005 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm comparing myself with others in TH-cam like they are learning German so fast but I can't learn that much ... it really makes me demotivated

  • @petrbelousov1441
    @petrbelousov1441 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Lovely content, man. Appreciate you do that.

  • @artiesolomon3292
    @artiesolomon3292 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Happy Thanksgiving my favorite language teacher.

  • @maxaugusto1958
    @maxaugusto1958 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hey Robin, hi !

  • @raffcummins
    @raffcummins 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hey Robin, if you love the feeling of tailoring your speech have you ever considered learning Arabic?

  • @yourfirstsecondlanguage4782
    @yourfirstsecondlanguage4782 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Lovely video as always thank you :)

  • @francisrommelligsay8218
    @francisrommelligsay8218 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Loving the vids Mr. Robin

  • @diegogarciaferre7706
    @diegogarciaferre7706 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just a la fusta!

  • @SirBoomster
    @SirBoomster 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    ビンのビデオはとても感動的あります!ロビンさん。ビデオをありがとう!他に誰が日本語を勉強していますか?

    • @spacejay4000
      @spacejay4000 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      はい!勉強しています。

    • @SirBoomster
      @SirBoomster 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@spacejay4000 頑張れ!😄

  • @Mokyton
    @Mokyton 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Русские поделитесь его книгой если кто покупал)