University assignments, screaming kids, demanding bosses, cleaning, cooking, washing, the list goes on. Even in these strange times, many of us still live incredibly hectic lives. According to one 2019 study, the 'I'm too busy' line, was the number one reason given by people who gave up learning a language within the first six months of trying.
But it doesn't have to be that way!
For many people, learning English is far more than just a casual pass time. Take yourself for instance, you might have to get a high score in an English language exam to get into the University you want to go to. Or, you've been dreaming of living in the US for years. Alternatively, you might want to work in a multinational company where the 'lingua franca' (common language) is English.
Every learner has their own motivations, ambitions and dreams, and not to be able to fulfil those would be crushing, especially if it was just because you thought you were too busy to study enough at that time.
So let's cut to the chase*, how can we find enough time to study, even when we're rushed off our feet?*
* (Sorry - I'm probably over-doing it with the idioms today, but I will leave a glossary at the bottom of this post, in case you haven't heard of them before)
My Life Hack - Don't 'Study'
You think I'm a joker, right? Or just plain stupid? Usually I'm probably a mixture of them both but today I'm actually being serious!
One of the biggest reasons that we don't find time to 'study' and therefore don't learn, is because we often think of studying as a chore. Something where we have to sit down at a desk, all alone, for hours and hours, staring at a text book or copying down sentence after sentence.
But no, absolutely not!
There are so many ways to acquire and retain language and this method of sitting alone with a text book is so old and out-dated!
I study Spanish and I know that even if I had all the time in the world to study it, I would definitely find an excuse not to, or something better or more interesting or more important to do, if I was using this old method of study because it's just not something I would enjoy or look forward to.
So what can we do instead? How can we truly learn without staring at a text book for two hours per day?
The trick is to incorporate the language into your daily life. This is more possible for some, than it is for others, but on a basic level pretty much everyone can do it!
We learn vocabulary and sentence structures through listening, remembering and then applying, again and again. So, even though you might not have two hours to learn English today, you might be able to listen to a five minute You Tube clip whilst making your breakfast. Or perhaps listen to an English speaking podcast on the way to work, or even keep an English digital journal which you update on your smart phone during your lunch break everyday, or maybe even read this blog!
If those aren't possible then other options include: making online English speaking friends who you can send a quick voice message to whenever you have a minute, taking a quick online English lesson when you wake up (some companies offer 25 minute mini-lessons) or even just reading new articles on the train and summarising them.
There are countless ways to expose yourself to a new language, especially English as it is so wide spread. Find a couple of things which work for you, so that studying doesn't feel like studying, so it doesn't feel like a chore.
The most important thing is to be consistent!
These tips will definitely help you to learn important aspects of language such as vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar, even when you're fitting it in around your crazy lifestyle, but only if you are consistent, repetition and routine are key! The reason that I am suggesting incorporating language learning into your daily routine is because by doing so, you make it easier for yourself to practise consistently rather than just doing one horrible four hour monster revision session once per week, which you dread and end up forgetting everything within a few days.
So, commit to doing something which you enjoy consistently, something which is both realistic and practical for you and your busy life.
For me in my own life, when I'm planning my online English lessons I often think about how I would teach the same lesson if it was in Spanish. That encourages me to find new words, phrases and expressions and to explore new structures which I might not have previously seen in a text book! I understand that this example is very specific to my own daily routine and life, but that is the whole point - You have to find what works for you!
So to wrap up, learning comes in many forms and we should not give up because we are busy, there are always other methods, new ways, different options to help us achieve our goals! Make those necessary changes and then stick to them. Repetition and routine!
Let me know if any of these ideas were helpful for you. I'd love to find out what you thought and if you have any other methods which work for you, so please do leave a comment below, I always reply!
See you on Friday,
All the best,
Mitchell
Glossary:
Cut to the chase
Come to the point.
"cut to the chase—what is it you want us to do?"
Rushed off our feet
Very busy
"I've been rushed off my feet all day at work, I'm exhausted now"
Lingua Franca
The most commonly spoken language in a certain environment
"English is the lingua franca aboard most aircraft"
Over-doing it
To do so much of an activity that it becomes harmful, detrimental, unenjoyable, or undesirable
"I've been over doing it at the gym lately, I think I'm going to have to slow down a little"
Stick to (something)
To do something that you promised or decided you would do, or that you believe you should do
"I've decided that I'm going to stick to learning English because it's important for my carreer progression"
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