Yesterday we had a very good and challenging activity with our class. We did some interactive interviews with people on the streets. Our aim was to ask random passers about Vienna. What we can do here, which places we must visit, and maybe some insider information about non-tourist leisure time spending. At first it was a bit scary to talk with strangers, in addition in German. However after a first conversation, I could breathe easy. Because people were very open-minded and kind. They all gladly helped us, and willingly shared with us all information they knew. So we had asked about ten people and then in our hands was a plan with various places to visit. It was very good and motivational activity for language learning.
By the way sometimes staying motivated to keep going on a way of new language is a bit hard. Because with time comes fatigue when doing routine stuff everyday. Our brain needs to be shaken once in a while, that we can continue our study without stress.
I have some tactics to stay motivated. First of all, don’t do routine stuff like ordinary learning words and trying to keep them in your mind. Improvise! Speak out with yourself, while doing some cleaning at home, or buying products in the supermarket. With that way new words will come, the existence of which you were unaware, and old words will be remembered in easy way. Also try to watch your favorite movies in language you’re learning. And read everything on the streets, like advertising banners, newspapers, and even signs on the wall, with that will come an understanding of some language features, which can’t be taught in grammar books.
Improve yourself and never stop!