La différence entre l’optimum et le maximum.

Texte B2-C1

Bonjour, aujourd’hui sur le French Hamster, on parle d’apprentissage et surtout d’apprentissage des langues.

J’ai déjà rencontré des personnes qui, bien que voulant apprendre le français, n’étudiaient pas assez – que ce soit par paresse ou plus souvent par manque de temps-, et j’en rencontre encore souvent mais j’en ai déjà rencontré qui travaillaient trop, avec des résultats catastrophiques. Pourquoi?

Comme pour tout dans la vie, quand vient le moment d’apprendre une langue, tout est question de mesure. La première chose à savoir est que pour apprendre, notre cerveau et notre corps ont besoin de repos. On peut reposer son cerveau en faisant du sport, mais on repose son corps … en se reposant, en dormant bien, en méditant, en se relaxant. On oublie souvent que cette étape est essentielle à l’assimilation sur le long terme des connaissances.

Le nombre d’heures pendant lesquelles on étudie est important. J’ai rencontré des personnes qui voulaient étudier en cours privés 8 heures par jour, tous les jours en se disant qu’elles progresseront plus vite comme ça. Sachant qu’une heure de cours privé est aussi demandante que deux à trois heures de cours de groupe, cela revient à étudier 16 à 24 heures …. par jour. C’est comme vouloir courir un marathon par jour tous les jours … et sans entrainement. Non, malheureusement étudier plus d’heures ne nous fera pas avancer plus vite. La progression n’est pas proportionnelle au nombre d’heures que vous étudiez, au contraire, si vous travaillez trop, au maximum de vos capacités, vous finissez par oublier ce que vous avez appris à cause de la fatigue cognitive et du stress.

C’est pour cela qu’il ne faut pas viser son maximum, il faut viser son optimum.

L’optimum est l’état le plus favorable pour atteindre un but ou par rapport à une situation. Si on converti cette définition visuellement sur une courbe d’apprentissage ça donne ça:

On apprend donc mieux quand on fournit un effort suffisant mais pas le maximum d’effort. Si on ne fournit pas assez d’efforts, on ne progresse pas, on s’ennuie et on se décourage. Si on fournit un effort trop intense, on s’épuise, on stresse et on oublie ce qu’on vient d’apprendre.

Bien entendu, l’intensité de l’effort varie de personne en personne, cela dépend de votre âge, de votre style de vie, de vos objectifs et même de la saison. Votre enseignant.e doit pouvoir vous aider à maintenir le rythme et vous aider à trouver votre zone d’apprentissage optimum.

Alors comment faire pour atteindre et rester dans cet optimum:

• Planifiez des périodes de repos à l’avance dans votre agenda. Si vous apprenez une langue, je vous conseille de prévoir des périodes de repos dans votre calendrier. On considère souvent qu’on se reposera quand on a rien à faire et c’est une erreur, surtout si vous avez des responsabilités (des enfants, un travail très prenant, de multiples engagements …) il est essentiel de bloquer des heures où vous devez ne rien faire.
• Écoutez-vous. Si vous vous sentez stressé.e, épuisé.e et écoeuré.e à l’idée d’aller en cours, c’est le signe que vous avez besoin d’une pause. Prenez-là!
• Commencez tôt. Comme pour les régimes express qui vont faire perdre du poids en 3 semaines mais qui vous font reprendre votre poids initial plus 10 kg quand vous reprenez une vie normale, apprendre rapidement une langue pour un test ne vous permettra pas de conserver ce que vous avez appris en mémoire. Commencez en avance et laissez-vous le temps d’apprendre. Si vous êtes débutant.e, sachez qu’il vous faudra en moyenne au moins 9 mois à un an pour atteindre un niveau de langue qui vous permettra de travailler dans cette langue (bien entendu il y a des personnes qui vont apprendre en moins de temps et d’autre pour qui cela sera beaucoup plus long). Alors prévoyez à l’avance!

And now the English version:

Hello, today on the French Hamster, we’re talking about learning and especially about learning languages.

I’ve already met people who, although they wanted to learn French, didn’t study enough – either because they were lazy or because they didn’t have enough time -, but I’ve also met people who worked too hard, with catastrophic results. Why is this happening?

As with everything in life, when it comes to learning a language, it’s all a matter of balance. The first thing to know is that in order to learn, our brain and body need rest. You can rest your brain by doing sports, but you can rest your body by … resting, and sleeping well, meditating or relaxing. We often forget that this stage is essential for the long-term assimilation of knowledge.

The number of hours during which one studies is important. I have met people who wanted to study in private classes for 8 hours a day, every day, telling themselves that they will progress faster that way. Knowing that one hour of private instruction is as demanding as two to three hours of group instruction, this amounts to studying 16 to 24 hours …. per day. That’s like trying to run a marathon every day… and without training. No, unfortunately studying more hours will not make us progress faster. Progress is not proportional to the number of hours you study, on the contrary, if you work too much, to the maximum of your capacity, you end up forgetting what you have learned because of cognitive fatigue and stress.

That’s why you shouldn’t aim for your maximum, you should aim for your optimum.

The optimum is the most favorable state to reach a goal or in relation to a situation. If we convert this definition visually on a learning curve, we get this:

So we learn best when we put in enough effort but not the maximum effort. If you don’t try hard enough, you don’t progress, you get bored and discouraged. If you try too hard, you get exhausted, stressed and forget what you have learned.

Of course, the intensity of the effort varies from person to person, depending on your age, lifestyle, goals and even the season. Your teacher should be able to help you maintain the pace and help you find your optimum learning zone.

So how do you get to and stay in that optimum?

• Plan rest periods ahead of time in your schedule. If you are learning a language, I suggest that you plan rest periods in your calendar. It is often considered that you will rest when you have nothing to do and this is a mistake, especially if you have responsibilities (children, a very busy job, multiple commitments …) it is essential to block out time during which you must do nothing.

• Listen to yourself. If the idea of going to class makes you feel stressed, exhausted, and sick to your stomach, it’s a sign that you need a break. Take it!

• Start early. Like crash diets that will make you lose weight in 3 weeks but make you gain back your original weight plus 10 kg when you return to normal life, learning a language quickly for a test will not allow you to retain what you have learned in memory. Start early and give yourself time to learn. If you are a beginner, you should know that it will take you on average at least 9 months to a year to reach a level of language that will allow you to work in that language (of course there are people who will learn in less time and others for whom it will take much longer). So plan ahead!

Prenez soin de vous.

Bon apprentissage!

Le French Hamster.

Why I can’t learn French (or any other languages)? 7. Health related problems.

All levels

It is possible that you struggle more than you should when you learn a language. You might feel stupid and discouraged. There are many reasons that can explain why you are struggling. Let’s take a look at what the problem could be. Today, health related problems.

– You had a head injury. Let’s simplify the learning process: when you encounter a new information, you process the information with your short term memory. When this information is sufficiently reinforced by exposure, it goes to your long term memory where it is stored and can be accessed anytime you need it. But sometimes, your short term memory doesn’t work correctly. If you had any type of head injury, it might explain why you are struggling to learn French. It can be a momentary or permanent problem. Consult your doctor.

• If it is momentary for instance because you practice a sport and had a head injury, or you had a minor accident, wait before taking a class. If you are an MMA fighter (yeah I had some in my class as well of judokas), don’t take a class after a fight, wait at least a day or two, ideally a week. Your brain needs time to repair itself from the concussion, just like the rest of your body. You can’t run with a broken leg, you can’t learn with a broken head.
• If it is permanent (you had a major accident in the past and you still have memory loss or you are made like that, it happens, but know it is super rare), you have to force the information directly in your long term memory because your short term memory or the link between your short term memory and your long term memory isn’t working well. It is a hard path, and it takes longer but you can make it. Practicing every day life situation over and over again by role plays (like going to the bank, having a family dinner etc) and writing a script for all those situations, and reading it at loud can help.

– You don’t eat enough. If you have a food related disorder (like anorexia), your body is struggling to maintain its balance, so learning a language is not a priority. One of my student was barely eating for diet reasons and would just drink two smoothies a day (not even protein shake, only smoothies). She was struggling with her learning, but when she had a “cheating meal” (a.k.a a proper meal) the day after she was always very good. So if you have a food related disorder – or you are on a strict diet – take the time to take care of yourself first, seek professional help if you can. Your brain can’t work without fuel and this fuel is food. Never study with an empty stomach! Or on a binge of energy drink!

– Depression : If you suffer from depression, learning a language can be a big challenge. When you are depressed, you struggle with motivation but moreover, your brain doesn’t work properly so it will be very hard to learn something. Take your time, and take care of yourself. If you take French class, speak to your teacher about your condition. I would recommend private lessons as the teacher can go to your pace so you will not feel discouraged more than you are already. A lot of schools have rules like, “if you are 15 or 20 minutes late then the class is canceled”, speak with the administration and the teacher (or if you don’t feel like doing it, ask a friend or a family member to speak for you), and ask that your class will always happen no matter what. Even if you show up only for 10 minutes, it is important that you go to your class. Not for your French, or French teacher, but for your mental health.

More importantly, if you have any mental or physical health issues, talk with your teachers because it can impact the way you learn and hence, the way your teachers will work with you. Sometimes, people are afraid to talk about their difficulties with their teachers because they think that it isn’t their job, or they are afraid to look like a weirdo. Don’t forget that language teachers see a lot of people from different walk of life and our job is not to judge you but to help. Your teacher is your ally.

I hope it helped.

Take care of yourself.

Why I can’t learn French (or any other languages)?6. Doing too much!

It is possible that you struggle more than you should when you learn a language. You might feel stupid and discouraged. There are many reasons that can explain why you are struggling. Let’s take a look at what the problem could be: You work too much!

“I am taking 8 hours of French classes every day, and on Saturdays and Sundays, I have private lessons but I can’t learn a thing.” Imagine doing the same thing but with a sport, you can’t run a marathon every day, your body needs to rest. Same thing for learning a language. Working on your French every day is good, like running every day is good but not that much. And don’t forget, one hour of private lesson is as demanding as 3 hours of group lesson or even more depending on the size of the group. And when you feel stuck, take a break, it helps! (You know, vacations!)

Have a good day!

Why I can’t learn French (or any other languages)? 5. Unrealistic goals!

It is possible that you struggle more than you should when you learn a language. You might feel stupid and discouraged. There are many reasons that can explain why you are struggling. Let’s take a look at what the problem could be. Today : Unrealistic goals!

“I want to learn French and be completely fluent in 3 months, how can I do that?” Well, unless you are a language genius (they exist, I met two in my life, I am so jealous of them), or you have a huge experience in learning languages, you can’t. When you read things like “learn French from scratch and be fluent in three months”, it is fishy. You can be able to communicate on a basic level in three months, but being fluent takes a lot more time. It partly depends on your mother tongue (is it close to French like Spanish and Italian or far from it like Chinese or Korean?), if you have learned another language as an adult and what this language was, your personality (introvert-extravert), the time you can spend on learning French, the space in your head for that (how many kids do you have?) and so on. You have to set realistic goals and accept that it can take a lot more time than you though.

So here are what realistic goals look like:

You can do it! Just take your time, as we say in French : “Rien ne sert de courir!”

Have a good day!

Why I can’t learn French (or any other languages)?4. Introvert vs extrovert problems!

All levels

It is possible that you struggle more than you should when you learn a language. You might feel stupid and discouraged. There are many reasons that can explain why you are struggling. Let’s take a look at what the problem could be. Today introvert vs extrovert problems!

–Introvert problems: “I don’t want to speak because I am too introvert or shy and I don’t want to look ridiculous in front of other people”. Well, I know the struggle. I am very introvert, shy and perfectionist myself (I know my students and coworkers never believe me when I say so but ask my friends). First, as I always say, making mistakes is part of the process. If you don’t make mistakes, you don’t progress. We feel that mistakes are bad because our educational system is based on punishing mistakes and rewarding good answers. It is a big problem, because kids are learning that taking risks is not a good thing and making mistakes is not a good thing either. As a big mistakes maker myself, I have developed a learning strategy “mistake-based” and it works quite well. Instead of remembering the “correct way” I remember my mistake knowing it is a mistake, and it works! So be proud of your mistakes, they are the proof of your hard work! Second, being shy or introvert is completely ok. Of course it looks (and most of the time is) easier to learn a language for extroverts, but being an introvert has its good sides. Generally, shy and introvert students pay more attention to details, are better listeners and more focused on the mistakes of their peers (and you learn as much or even more from other people mistakes). I have noticed that introverts are very good in group lessons on zoom (maybe because they are in a familiar surrounding – at home with their cat or dog and coffee mug- and feel they can escape whenever they want by shutting down the computer). Also, private lessons are good if you are too shy to speak in public. But don’t choose the easy way out, which is a big group where you can hide. Choose small groups with maximum interactions happening. I know it is hard but you can do it.

• Extrovert problems: “I speak a lot, I am super extrovert so I don’t struggle to speak but now, I am stuck and I don’t progress anymore”. Well, being an extrovert is generally a good thing when it comes to language learning but it might be at your disadvantage at some point. When you are completely communication oriented, and very comfortable to speak, you are too focused on the meaning and not enough on how it said (a.k.a the grammar). And as I said, you need to notice and address your mistakes to progress. Pay attention to what other people are saying while trying to spot their mistakes. Then, apply it to you. If it doesn’t work, take private lessons asking your teacher to point your mistakes and work on them.

So introvert or extrovert, keep up the good work!

Bonne journée!

Why I can’t learn French 3: Inappropriate learning strategies.

All levels

It is possible that you struggle more than you should when you learn a language. You might feel stupid and discouraged. There are many reasons that can explain why you are struggling. Let’s take a look at what the problem could be. Today : Inappropriate learning strategies.

Everybody learn in a different way. That is true however, sometimes what you think is a good learning strategy is in fact completely inefficient. Most of the one you might tap into come from another field where knowledge matters whereas learning a language is all about skills.

– Exercises books are not really helpful: a lot of students ask me for books to do exercises and they are quite shocked and in disbelief when I tell them that doing grammar exercises will not help them to learn how to use a grammar rule. I am not saying that exercises are not useful, but they can only help you to check if you have understood a grammar rule. It will not help you being able to use it in real life. But I get it, it is fun and good for self-esteem, so do it for fun but if you want to progress, instead of doing pre-made exercises, write a small text every day using the grammar rules or vocabulary you want to learn because they are related to your life (think job, hobby, family, travels). It takes a lot more effort than filing the blanks in a book but it works wonders.

– Focusing on grammar and wanting to learn as much grammar as possible as quick as possible. Nope, no, non! Full disclosure: when you are learning a language, grammar is not as important as vocabulary and fluency. Moreover, if you learn certain grammar rules (like the “pronoms complement directs et indirects” for English speakers) too early, it will completely dis-construct everything you’ve done so far. You need to give time to your brain to process the many information you are giving to it and you have to practice them by … speaking. A good teacher will explain what you need to implement at your level and will never push you to the next grammar if you are not ready. Contrarily to what we usually think, learning a language is not theoretical, it is physical, like sport or dancing. So leave this grammar book alone and speak!

Have a good day!

Why I can’t learn French (or any other languages)? Part 2 : motivation!

It is possible that you struggle more than you should when you learn a language. You might feel stupid and discouraged. There are many reasons that can explain why you are struggling. Let’s take a look at what the problem could be:

2 Motivation :

Imagine you have to learn French but it is a necessity and not a choice (for immigration purpose or because your terrible French mother in law refuses to speak to you in any other language or any other reason). Going to class is a struggle, you find every rule ridiculous and you hate it. Don’t waste your time in anger, you are losing too much energy you really need in order to learn this goddamn’ language. You have to change your state of mind. Not easy, but doable.

Solution : find a way to love this mighty language. Do something you like in French (a yoga class as an example), make francophone friends, travel to places where people speak French, find a new interest in French cuisine or old glorious French bicycles, watch movies in French… Before you put any language in your head, you have to put it in your heart. The more you like it, the easiest it will be to learn.

Now motivation is important but it comes and goes. What can help you to build up your motivation is consistency and discipline. So even if you don’t like it yet, try to do 10 minutes of French vocab in your field of interest – and just vocab, no grammar unless it’s your thing – every day. Make that 10 minutes 20 after 2 weeks and… yeah you’ll see.

Why I can’t learn French (or any other languages)? Part 1 Intolerance to ambiguity:

All level

It is possible that you struggle more than you should when you learn a language. You might feel stupid and discouraged. There are many reasons that can explain why you are struggling. Let’s take a look at what the problem could be:

1 Intolerance to ambiguity:

Intolerance to ambiguity is when someone can’t cope with the lack of clarity or the apparent foreignness or stupidity of some aspect of the language learned. It is a kind of stubbornness and this is the most common problem among language learners. Ambiguity intolerance happens when you refuse to process or you are rejecting the many rules and exceptions of French (or any) language. Unfortunately, even if you think that this or that rule doesn’t make any sense (and let’s be honest, most the time they don’t), French language (or any language comes to that) won’t change for you (or for anyone!). Being ambiguity intolerant is like wanting to surf and being mad at a wave because it doesn’t go like you want. The problem with ambiguity intolerance is that it makes you feel stuck, frustrated and nervous. It is not easy, but you have to learn to let go and accept things the way they are. One question you have to forget if you are ambiguity intolerant is “why?”. “Why” doesn’t matter, “how?” is the question you should ask. “How does it work?”, “How do I build this sentence?”, “How is it pronounced?”. So jump on the wave and have fun, and don’t forget, making mistakes is part of the process!

Have a good day and let it go … let it go!