The hardest part is often starting. So let's get to the point.
The obvious reason why people start or stop learning(or actually do anything) is motivation. Look at your life- how easy it is when you find something interesting, enjoyable-how you can't stop and there is a great source of energy. Even as child-there is always something to do, explore and ask. You wake up at morning full of excitement to take over the world. Later at school, when you are told what to do and how to sit calm and quiet- you lose energy, interest. Can you remember falling asleep on lessons? I do- especially how my head hits desk-painfully. To cut it short-We are motivated and full of energy, when we enjoy things we do. It applies to everything.
Exercise: sit down and try to be quiet , not moving- how long you last before you are bored and your mind wanders?
How to stay motivated learning English?
1)Well, the logical thing is to have fun.
Do not think it is a duty. Do not get bored.
Yes, I know it is studying and that is not fun. I agree.
If it is a traditional way where you sit, listen, write, memorize and have few test or grammar exercises- that's actually killing you. I am not sure why a school is still pushing this way of education(possibly because it is easier for teacher), but there is much cooler things to do. Do you like music or football? Celebrities or technology? Whatever you like in your free time(scrolling Facebook doesn't really count) can't keep you motivated. Plus, don't do the same thing every day- even eating the tastiest food(thank God for chocolate) every day gets boring
2) Set a reason why are you learning
Do you want to get better grades? Watch movies or read books in the original language? Is there anybody special you want to be able to communicate? Do you want to travel?
Exercise: Write your reason....your very special personal reason-why actually you want to spend time and energy for language learning.
Please, if it is because ‘my mum wants me to’-Don't bother-Do it for yourself.
3) Set your goal
The main general reason for learning English is to communicate or exchange of information. It depends on your reason what you need( want) to achieve. It can be small or big. Do you want to study in America? Do you need it for your career?
It is usually better to cut your goal into smaller parts, which you can achieve. That's less scary approach. Imagine I want to learn 3000 English words- compare I want to learn 10 words a day. The best thing is to measure it somehow-give yourself a timeline or write a journal regarding your progress
4) Yes-famous progress
Why do you think there are so many fake beginners? If a student cannot see where he or she is getting, they give up. The biggest cause of failure is quitting. That's why it is beneficial to keep a record of what you have accomplished- not only shows you how you are getting on , but helps you reviewing and repeating-if you forget something.
How many chapters of that book you were able to read this month? Have you understood everything said in the movie?
There are so many apps nowadays doing it even for you...
5)Imagine you already speak English
This is a little bit from positive thinking. There is definitely something about being positive. Just put a smile on your face and imagine how you already speak a language. How you actually can go to the shop and buy that bread(chocolate!!!)or how you've passed your exam, given a presentation to your colleagues. It makes you feel better and more confident. Just believe you can do it and you will....soon
6)Do not compare
It is simple to fell for this one. We compare ourselves all the time. What clothes we are wearing, what phone you have etc. Although you can do it during your learning process- I recommend do not. Doesn't matter if it is with native speakers or other learners.
A native speaker had all life -being immersed in an English environment, speaking the language.
Learners-well, some people are learning faster or have more time, better motivation...
It is just not fair. Focus on yourself and compare how much more you know today from 2 weeks ago
7)Being lazy
Ok, I get it- we all have days not feeling our best. Our lives can get crazy and you can put learning on hold. If you always come back- that's not a problem. There is another option. Do baby steps- what do I mean by that?
Instead of one hour of doing your enjoyable English related task, when you feel under weather or just blah-take 5 minutes. Check the video on YouTube. Read one page. Sing your favorite song or just try to name things around you. I know there are news feeds on Facebook you need to check too- how about adding some learning groups to your profile? Often you find a great source of little lessons. Just a few minutes a day. And do you know sometimes happens? You actually get hooked and you can spend more time on it
8)Be active
Try to move when learning. Walk or run-headphones are your friends. Use gestures and your body to express what you are doing. Try to cook with English video recipe. Exercise to English training video. Follow some tutorial...
9)No interest issue
Many learners get discouraged during the process. It can be because of the teacher or the materials. Basically, we can feel the passion of our teachers and it can be contagious. Not everyone likes their job and this is not a place to talk about it. If you followed previous steps-you know why you are doing it and how to stay on track. If others are discouraging you-ignore them-do it for yourself. There is hundreds of resources and option to achieve your goal
10)3...2...1
Just start( maybe start again) somewhere, somehow-do what you like and makes you happy-results will come.
