Most readers will be familiar with the expression, "Flogging a dead horse" (see picture below). If you don't know this expression, it means to make an effort when no result is possible; the saying imagines someone beating a dead horse, hoping that it might get up again. A futile exercise, as you can imagine.
That may be the way you feel about your past language learning. Maybe there is a language which you learnt many years ago. And, whenever you are reminded of that language, you despair of reviving it.
Let me encourage you. As a Christian I believe in miracles (that's another story), but reviving a 'forgotten' language is no miracle; it is entirely realistic and let me give you some tips on how to do it.
Firstly, and please dwell on this point, you have not forgotten German or Russian or whichever language you have neglected for years. It's there is your head. You can remember bits and pieces - the numbers, the word for bread, My name is - and far more besides. So go up into the 'loft' (metaphorically speaking) and poke around a bit, see what you can remember. As for me, I would write some things out - maybe you would record them in your smartphone or device of choice.
Secondly, and this is just as effective, get some exposure to the language again, i.e. listen or read (this is called 'passive knowledge'). Find that band and the song you used to listen to on 104.6 FM (sorry, this is getting personal now - you know who you are) and remember the words. Once you have listened to that song, listen to another. And feel the cobwebs blowing away. I would find a short written article, for example on a topic I already know about, or a Book you used to read in your language, and enjoy being able to understand (even if it is just 20%).
You are on a roll now, so progress really just depends on how much you want to pick up your language again. My third piece of advice is to stick your head out and try using it. Language learning is best done by toddlers. They have no shame and nothing to lose. So, put your sense of pride aside for a few minutes and write a Facebook post in your forgotten foreign language or message a native speaker (whom you normally converse with in English) and say something simple. Try, "My name is G and I am learning [insert language] again. Please correct my mistakes." And they should write back to you and correct your mistakes (expect to make some). Then continue the conversation or write a short message to them every few days.
From then on, the general advice about language learning applies (see the posts on this blog). With one proviso: in your case there's some much you know already. As you learn, it will come back to you.
I am talking from experience with all this. I am re-learning Dutch at the moment. I first learnt Dutch when I was five years old. My brother and I watched Sesame Street in Dutch when you couldn't get BBC programmes in Belgium yet. That's over 40 years ago now. But as I learn, it all comes back, even stuff I didn't know I knew.
I would be really chuffed (pleased) if people reading this were able to revive 'forgotten' languages. Let me know how you get on - you can personal message me (details below).
If you are interested in language learning, follow this blog.
My name is Russell Phillips. I offer online video language tuition for English and Russian - and also German, Italian and French.
My rate is GBP 9 (nine pounds sterling) per block of 15 minutes (a typical lesson might be 45 minutes), payable in advance.
Contact me via www.facebook.com/russelljamesphillips or on email at regnavit[at]gmail.com
That may be the way you feel about your past language learning. Maybe there is a language which you learnt many years ago. And, whenever you are reminded of that language, you despair of reviving it.
Firstly, and please dwell on this point, you have not forgotten German or Russian or whichever language you have neglected for years. It's there is your head. You can remember bits and pieces - the numbers, the word for bread, My name is - and far more besides. So go up into the 'loft' (metaphorically speaking) and poke around a bit, see what you can remember. As for me, I would write some things out - maybe you would record them in your smartphone or device of choice.
Secondly, and this is just as effective, get some exposure to the language again, i.e. listen or read (this is called 'passive knowledge'). Find that band and the song you used to listen to on 104.6 FM (sorry, this is getting personal now - you know who you are) and remember the words. Once you have listened to that song, listen to another. And feel the cobwebs blowing away. I would find a short written article, for example on a topic I already know about, or a Book you used to read in your language, and enjoy being able to understand (even if it is just 20%).
You are on a roll now, so progress really just depends on how much you want to pick up your language again. My third piece of advice is to stick your head out and try using it. Language learning is best done by toddlers. They have no shame and nothing to lose. So, put your sense of pride aside for a few minutes and write a Facebook post in your forgotten foreign language or message a native speaker (whom you normally converse with in English) and say something simple. Try, "My name is G and I am learning [insert language] again. Please correct my mistakes." And they should write back to you and correct your mistakes (expect to make some). Then continue the conversation or write a short message to them every few days.
From then on, the general advice about language learning applies (see the posts on this blog). With one proviso: in your case there's some much you know already. As you learn, it will come back to you.
I am talking from experience with all this. I am re-learning Dutch at the moment. I first learnt Dutch when I was five years old. My brother and I watched Sesame Street in Dutch when you couldn't get BBC programmes in Belgium yet. That's over 40 years ago now. But as I learn, it all comes back, even stuff I didn't know I knew.
I would be really chuffed (pleased) if people reading this were able to revive 'forgotten' languages. Let me know how you get on - you can personal message me (details below).
If you are interested in language learning, follow this blog.
My name is Russell Phillips. I offer online video language tuition for English and Russian - and also German, Italian and French.
My rate is GBP 9 (nine pounds sterling) per block of 15 minutes (a typical lesson might be 45 minutes), payable in advance.
Contact me via www.facebook.com/russelljamesphillips or on email at regnavit[at]gmail.com
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