How to fit language learning into a busy day 🙃

Hello friends! Today I'm answering a question someone sent in via email regarding feeling exhausted after studying a language for an entire hour, when an hour is all the time she has. I share all my recommendations for how to break up your time, what to focus on depending on your level and how to track and plan according to your energy or moods.
Mentioned in this video:
How to speak any language fluently by Alex Rawlings - geni.us/SpeakFluentlyRawlings
Blog post - How to fit language learning into a busy schedule: / how-to-fit-language-le...
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:32 The question I'm answering
1:06 A common problem for language learners
1:56 How to manage your time better
3:55 How long to people usually study for? Twitter poll
4:29 It depends on your language level!
5:46 Learning styles (are they still a thing?)
7:17 How hormones and moods affect productivity
8:52 Closing chat
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💕ABOUT
Welcome to my channel! My name is Lindie and I share my love for languages and design on this channel. I'm a senior product designer and co-founder of Kaards.io. I also write blog posts about languages at lindiebotes.com, and mentor language learners, and offer UX consulting for language apps at superpeer.com/lindiebotes. I'm a Christian and strive to shine God’s light in all I do. May this channel inspire you to reach your language goals and learn more about design.
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Enquiries & partnerships: [e-mail]

[@LindieBotes]

Not sure what to write about when you're practicing writing in a new language? Here's a comprehensive, 16-page PDF with prompts and tips that will set you on the right track to start writing. Get it from my store here: www.buymeacoffee.com/lindiebotes/e/78666 Regardless of which level you are in the language(s) you're learning, this guide will be useful as it's packed with 112 writing prompts and activities, writing tips, a 7-step guide to success, and resources that will help you get the most out of your writing. What you'll get - Background information on the importance of writing in a foreign language - Tips for writing if you're not just ready yet - A 7-step guide to writing long-form pieces in a new language - 112 writing activities and writing prompts for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners of any language - Information on the relationship between writing and other language skills - Resources and ideas on where to get corrections on your writing - A discount code to book a personalized language coaching call with me to discuss your writing or general language learning methods

[@SarahNorris]

I've found spaced repetition is *such* a good way of learning languages, especially when you're learning several at a time!

[@anitaa298]

Hi Sarah, may I ask you what app do you use for space repetition? Thank you 💕

[@AltaMenneh]

@@anitaa298 yes very interested also

[@samli3294]

Can i know what app do you use? T T

[@zahrahroa1550]

Is it quizlet? O.o

[@earthy-oi5wh]

@@anitaa298 A lot of people like to use anki, including myself. You can download public "shared decks" so you don't have to create your own.

[@M_SC]

The menstrual cycle stuff is so true. I’ve always tried not to buy into the idea that consistency means doing the exact same thing every day. But sometimes people’s enthusiasm and discipline makes me want to do it like them and then I can’t fulfill it. It’s a mistake for me, idk why I fall for it.

[@klaudia9151]

Soo relatable!

[@AmiyaD1611]

yes! We woman are built differently and we have to work with our cycle not against it. We have a completely different rhythm than man, but most studies are always done solely on men, that‘s why most diets and fitness regimes don‘t work out for woman, bc we are simply built differently. We have to eat differently according to where we are in our cycle bc our body has different types of needs. the same goes for working out and initiating projects. we work cyclical, and that is a beautiful thing and I hope we can shift as a society to encourage woman to live like that in tune with their cycle, and not to force them to feel like the only way to be successful is to do the same thing over and over again. (bc that‘s what men need for their rhythm)

[@maroua9279]

SAME

[@NAHELZA]

@@AmiyaD1611 Hey, it's so true, we are all built differently, love your comment - but just want to say not only women menstruate and not all women menstruate! I'm transmasculine and I menstruate too, it feels a bit erasing to see only women included in statements about periods as this is quite inaccurate... Hope that doesn't come across as abrasive, I just wanted to say my thoughts on the matter as a menstruating trans person :)

[@AmiyaD1611]

@@NAHELZA hey there you are so right! my comment is not all inclusive so thank you for sharing your voice on this too. I hear you and see you🤗

[@LeaflingLearns]

Adjusting to our moods and energy levels is so important! Definitely prevents burn out in the long run.

[@LindieBotes]

Yes! It's overlooked in today's h u s t l e culture hahaha. (I love your videos btw!)

[@LeaflingLearns]

@@LindieBotes 1000000%, we've been taught to have very robotic standards for ourselves. (and um thank you!!!!)

[@phillipnelson508]

As someone who loves languages...but also works a 9 hour work shift (10 with the commute)...this is such a relatable topic. Thanks Lindie. 👍🏻

[@masonmifflin6108]

I LOVE LANGUAGES too, honestly its kinda stressful because i worry about it, and it makes my brain hurt more when i burnout. i havent learned in a while, and it makes me sad, but i dont wanna force myself to continue and burn out. But good luck learning to everyone reading this! I’ll try my best.

[@mariannemesezold3314]

Oh yes the menstrual cycle... On certain days I have no energy at all, I feel like I've been hit by a truck, I'm so negative and morose. Definitely cannot get anything done for a week at least.

[@CrisOnTheInternet]

The irony is that week is the one when I feel like doing more things (I need to distract myself from the discomfort) 😅

[@lindsooo8071]

I'm a native Farsi speaker and I had no idea if the video was going to have something about learning a language like Farsi (Persian). I would really be glad to answer any questions about Farsi, no matter it's vocabulary, grammar, etc. I would really try to help. I'm really glad that there are people out there learning Farsi because the more I'm learning my 4 goal languages (Swedish, Turkish, Korean, English) the more I feel the beauty of Farsi.

[@mathilda4095]

Hey i think you speak English great! Btw i’m Turkish. I wish i could help you but unfortunately i have to study for the university entrance exams this year. I stopped everything but studying. :(( I hope you reach your goals.

[@lindsooo8071]

@@mathilda4095 Thank you so much for your nice consideration

[@denizinkucukdunyas701]

I am turkish you can ask me too!

[@tomg268]

Farsi is a beautiful language - I did a year of Farsi classes last year but I’ve had to put it to one side now as I have a lot of other work and want to make sure my Urdu is sharp. The problem with that is that I’ve already forgotten most of the Farsi I learnt! Bebakhshid!

[@Maura237]

May I ask why you chose these four languages? It's quite an interesting bunch

[@sonjah.6209]

I'm very happy that you've realized the importance of the menstrual cycle (for life and thus also for language learning) and are okay with talking about it openly. I'm much older than you, but I have only recently discovered these things. Oh my God, the problems I could have avoided myself if I had been aware of this stuff earlier!

[@acquaura4404]

I find that doing something enjoyable for immersion in each target language makes it fun. I like reading fanfics in French and watching Kdramas/reading articles in Korean. So I study grammar for 30 minutes only for each and then use immersion for the rest of my "studying time". So I don't feel that tired and overwhelmed. I also try cutting off how much content I consume in my native languages.

[@MalakMalak-eq2ys]

For how long have you been doing this?^ and is it helping you well? Especially in your Korean level?

[@luciaas4174]

What type of fanfics you read ? Can you send me links/recommendations? I want to learn french and fanfics helped me with english so i want to use them with french too but bc i know there are some with bad writing i don't know for what to search/read .

[@keziaruth9718]

I use immersion too! And it has gotten me farther than actual grammar learning. Because i actually enjoy the "learning" process, it made me learn faster and absorb more. Vlogs and interviews work the best for me (both for my korean and german) since they use daily useful phrases. But finding a hard time learning german that way since most german youtubers don't provide subtitle :( but still good for pronunciation tho

[@acquaura4404]

@@MalakMalak-eq2ys For around 2 months. Also writing a journal in Korean has been super useful and fun!

[@Sonja25997]

@@keziaruth9718 heyy do you have Netflix? Because there is a lot of German content on it. Or maybe try watching the German synchronisation of movies you have on DVD. Sadly I don't know KZbin creators who use subtitles in German so I can't help with that. But if you have questions about the language: feel free to ask me. I am a native speaker. That doesn't make me perfect, but I'll try my best to explain.

[@Anna-xi8ve]

I saw so many great people who love languages in the live chat during the premiere. Lindie has created a beautiful community for us, learners. I really enjoy reading and interacting with everyone there. Lindie, have you thought about creating a place to connect with each other outside of KZbin?

[@LindieBotes]

Thanks for the suggestion Anna! It's crossed my mind a few times but I'm still trying to think what would be the best way to do this, and if I have enough time to dedicate to make it worth for everyone - I would love to keep up with everybody but sometimes my emails alone are hard to reply to... lots to think about!

[@Anna-xi8ve]

@@LindieBotes totally understandable 🙌🏻 love your work and the content so much, don't want to make you tired or overworked. When it comes to the way, I loosely thought maybe Discord server (?) I saw some creators used it and made a small team of moderators for it, to make it spam free and a safe space. Just an idea ☺ don't wanna be pushy here.

[@CrisOnTheInternet]

@@Anna-xi8ve I still need to learn how to use discord, do you know any good tutorial?

[@Gr95dc]

@@Anna-xi8ve a discord server would be awesome

[@atticusfinch3536]

I usually struggle more with finding motivation than time

[@braydendaley3982]

I struggle with both...

[@atticusfinch3536]

@@braydendaley3982 it do be like that sometimes tho

[@kylanguages]

Language tips from Lindie?! And it’s not even my birthday :0 Can’t wait :)

[@k.oriaku]

Well yesterday was my birthday, but I didn’t know Lindie knew!!

[@LindieBotes]

Happy belated birthday!

[@k.oriaku]

@@LindieBotes Thank you so much.

[@thisisnotmyrealname6046]

I also think that study time depends on the level! I can easily study Spanish ( I have an upper intermediate level) for several hours and also remember many words at once, while in languages I just recenlty started, I can only concentrate for around 30 minutes

[@LindieBotes]

Isn't it funny how that works? I feel exhausted after some beginner lessons sometimes, but time seems to pass really quickly for advanced langs. Thanks for sharing!

[@colorado13]

Same here. I am an advanced French learner, and studying the language is a breeze. But Dutch and Russian sometimes feel like an uphill struggle

[@OleanderStarr]

I think in the beginning, learning a new language is tiring because not only leaning new words but also how to pronounce those words (speaking from the back of the throat with one word and from the nose with another word etc.) so we’re building new neurological roads in our brains which take up a lot of energy. When someone is more advanced in a language and is able to study for longer, they are driving down the roads that were built in the beginning and are not as likely to get tired like before.

[@Maura237]

@@colorado13 May I ask why you want to learn Dutch (and Russian)?

[@colorado13]

@@Maura237 Russian is a family language, I want to better understand my heritage. Dutch is because I like the Netherlands, pure and simple. Best holidays ever.

[@rexpolyglotus2802]

Passive learning really is the key here! You can achieve A LOT with passive learning, and it often isn't very tiring. Watching youtube, movie and similar things in your target language is very effective, and you can easily do it when you are tired. You have to do things differently depending on the level of proficiency in your target language, though.

[@trimbakbhikobadhumal5043]

Actually I am learning Deutsch but sometimes I get demotivated . But when ever I watch your videos I get immense motivation

[@JapanesewithTaka]

I’m ready from Japan 🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵

[@christinacheng8904]

I made time in my busy day for this! 😅

[@disturbeddude303]

It's good to know that other people feel this learning fatigue! Sometimes when learning languages, I feel siloed and like I'm never doing enough. But I'll try to be better balanced and listen to my body/mind to find my limits. Thank you for this wonderful video :)

[@gillianfisher752]

As a teacher, I can attest that learning styles haven't been taken seriously in professional or research fields since the 1970s. However, it didn't stop them from exploding among the general population. Nowadays, it's become more common to say "learning preferences." For example, I really enjoy reading textbooks (even though most students do not). But that doesn't mean I'm an exclusively visual learner. So much progress in language learning involves a combination of methods. Hope this helps!

[@foreverlearningfrench]

Thank you so much for speaking about how the menstrual cycle affects language learning. Sometimes the motivation is high and then your hormones just ruin the party!

[@1980rlquinn]

The "learning styles" approach is akin to the "left-brain/right-brain" myth. Rejecting doesn't mean we think we don't use either half! We use all of it. :) The reason we say "learning styles" is BS is because the "studies" that supposedly support them are poor and have not been able to be replicated under proper controls. However, this doesn't mean that all learning styles should be chucked out the window. Of COURSE you should learn with kinesthetics. You should also learn with visual aids. And you should learn with audio material. And you should pepper in a little rote in for good measure. The BS of "learning styles" is the idea that each person is best suited for one learning style. The fact is that we are all human and benefit from all types of input and processing, and variety in learning is key to learning solidly and long-term.

[@gabrielmoreirabr]

It's crazy to think, I also felt very tired studying English daily in the past, and I didn't know why... but today I'm used to it!

[@MichaelJaurigue]

Thanks for the insights!

[@gabrieltomaz6034]

THXS!!! I needed this video so bad!!!

[@RubyDuran]

Yay! Always look forward to your videos 💕

[@Kamillouu]

C'est très intéressant ce que tu dis sur les variations d'énergie au cours du cycle menstruel. C'est la deuxième fois cette semaine que j'entends ça et ça m'a donné envie de faire plus de recherches, merci.

[@LindieBotes]

Wow vraiment? Et toi qu'est-ce que tu penses de ca? J'aimerais bien savoir plus car ca m’intéresse bcp!

[@aliaflow6877]

You published the video I needed right now

[@analuisa674]

Absolutely love the video, great tips! 💕

[@ana.elolivero]

Great video Lindie ! Thank you ! Love your content 🥰

[@jjthejetplane9908]

This is very helpful! Thank you!

[@CyndyTangerineyyyy]

Thank you so much for the tips, Lindie!

[@nisanuraydogdu517]

Omg this video has helped me a lot. Thank you so much❤️

[@nathan-ei5ry]

Really like your videos!! Thank you for everything you do 😊

[@soniasiddiqi1629]

I loveee the timestamps! Thank you so much

[@MarAdriatnePC]

I love you so much Lindie, you are te best!

[@Angelica-hu6oe]

I really appreciate you taking this free time out of your busy schedule to make these videos. They help so much 💕

[@Kasiabethblue]

Lindie, you're wonderful. Thanks for these motivating videos. :)

[@rukkywilliams1602]

thank you so much for this

[@dayana4654]

I'm on spring break, and watching this instead of studying the language I'm learning... oop-

[@ragjos3805]

This are the tips I follow it too!! Really helpful!!

[@marinowy8998]

Ready for these tips💛

[@brintyart]

Your videos always bring me so much joy ❤️

[@thirdworldpolyglot2095]

Thank you for your honesty and language wisdom Lindie n.n

[@mcarolinagodinho]

I've also been struggling with this problem. Thanks for this amazing video!

[@adriannamartin5992]

So excited!!! Also can’t wait for Lindie’s ebook to be out!! My wallet is ready 🤑💰

[@zazhaahll657]

Appreciated very much all the information. 😁🤩

[@ishaniafrin2]

Those were some super helpful and interesting tips. Thank you so much. 👌

[@santiagomendoza3556]

Thank you very much I was kind of lost learning English, you are very inspiring! 🥺

[@aidanchongeh]

I’ve been kinda in a language learning rut for the past month, so this video is exactly what I need. Thanks so much!

[@klaudia9151]

These tips are soo helpful actually! Also the sound quality is fine for me😁

[@albapinillaperez5051]

Would you share more about how you plan and organise your study routine? I would LOVE to see more about that language planner. So interesting! ❤️

[@river_fieldnotes]

Definitely trying your advices! Thanks a lot, Lindie. Espero que te encuentres increíble, saludos desde México! :D

[@Anna-xi8ve]

I have a feeling it's gonna be a very helpful one 🤓

[@learnwithbryan234]

I love the division of study time. Never thought of thatttt. Thanks lindie

[@plzgoawayahahah]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@kandyviris]

This video felt so clean 🌬️🌀

[@aell.e]

the mic quality is a lot better already! thank you for the video (:

[@mnic86]

Gracias por los consejos Lindie :) Sigue adelante con los vídeos. ¡Saludos desde Australia! 🇦🇺

[@carolvsworld1514]

I love your videos Lindie, honestly they help me so much. I don't know where I would be in my language journey right now if I didn't have them to guide me.

[@italozavarella5460]

Thank you Lindie for all your great ideas, you are definitely helping a lot of people including me, by the way you look very pretty today

[@_francaisconnecte]

Hi! I am a language learner myself. Your videos are really inspiring! Thank you very much

[@jimmyxflare7347]

aw you seem so gentle and sweet

[@mobinahlm7683]

Such a pretty and talented girl you are😍 I love your channel and Whenever I lose motivation I watch your videos💫

[@lessdak0805]

I just realized that I practice my English while I'm listening to your videos hahaha. I really love your videos, you make me keep motivated

[@milenaalmeida4619]

That's your first video I've seen and I really really like it! I've found the way you talk so calm and relaxing ♥ I'm gonna for sure watch more and improve my English learn methods.

[@shamirkali]

This video was very chilling and the audio quality is very good🤍 xxxx

[@alexandreguilhermemaestro]

Hello Lindie. I don't know if I am in a sensible day, but this video really makes me think about different things in my life. Thank you for this. Have a great Sunday and week!

[@Flauschbally]

Thank you for your helpful tips. Really like the tip to split up one hour. Really great idea and especially to review what you have done the previous day. Happy Weekend Lindie ☀️☀️

[@MLSt26]

Thank you so much for sharing!! I've been trying to learn Korean but I have this awful habit of thinking I need to clear away a big chunk of time in my day to dedicate to studying, which, I never have, so I never end up getting started in the first place. I'm going to give the 15-30-15 process a try and see what I can accomplish... also thank you so much for sharing your observations about energy levels and menstrual cycles. It's so rare to find honest conversations like this.

[@kirannnful]

By watching your videos, it really help me to learn new language

[@anitaa298]

Hi Lindie, thank you for the inspiring and compelling video 💕 I've been studying German for about seven months now and struggling with finding a good routine and keep track of my progress, and your videos are helping me sooo much both in terms of organizing myself and motivation 💪🏻✨

[@FrancescaDePaolis]

Great tips and especially very true information. The part where you were talking about hormones and moods was so accurate, tracking is indeed a great tip which I should try to implement as well!

[@Darkslide820]

Great simple little tip! I'm always struggling to fit an hour of study at the end of a day, makes sense to break it up into little bites. Can't believe i hadn't thought of that earlier, thanks!

[@ishikagoswami7177]

I'm preparing for becoming an interaction designer and I've started learning a few languages and I'm so thankful that I found your channel, you're such an inspiration❤️🤩

[@LilRofl]

Great tips, thanks again Lindie. For the record, I'm no audiophile, but I think your sound quality is perfectly fine :)

[@ajachaney37]

This was awesome!! And very insightful! I like how you are not beating up yourself but instead are going with the natural flow of your body. It is soooo very important for mental, emotional and spiritual health :) awesome advice 🥰

[@javierrenteria3195]

Your advices have been totally excellent for me!!!? I appreciate you take your times to telling us what you do to learn new language ❤️❤️❤️ (Sorry for my English)

[@mvwww]

Thanks for the tips. Learning German alone while working has been quite difficult and exhausting for me and I just discovered this wonderful channel. I will definitely adjust my method and see how it goes.

[@SincerelyGwendolyn]

Yesss I am excited for this one!

[@DeyvinhoG]

I can not explain why I love your videos so much. You are like my language guru kkkk

[@hiruki_neko]

You are my motivation every time Lindie. 너무 너무 사라해요!!!!! :) :)

[@asmakhoualdia5632]

Precious ideas...I am following you from Tunisia ❤

I'm binge watching your videos to set up my Japanese learning routine :")

[@haicautrang5304]

Lindie you are awesome love your videos and I love that you acknowledge the menstrual cycle changes

[@traveldetective8216]

Really helpful!!!! Thanks a lot!! 　助けてくれてありがとうございます。

[@blueberrysky7599]

I've been trying new things all the time for language learning and it's been months, but I'm still trying new stuff and that helped me a lot. And now as a Korean learner, I'm studying with 8 books by TTMIK (1 each day for about 30 mins- 1 hour). And also I feel less exhausted and more interested in studying Korean. There was a time when I forced myself to learn Korean and now I know that it takes time. Thank you for making videos that really help language learners like us.

[@epicdjyoshi648]

Thanks for another great video Lindie! I always get annoyed about productivity halfway through the day and then force myself to do an intensive language learning session, which rarely works. I've realised that this is unhelpful and often doesn't let all the info sink in. Breaking it up is a great idea. Thanks again :)

[@selinam8805]

Thank you very much! Do you have videos where you speak the languages your learning just to show us progress? I’ve been watching your videos all throughout my own language journey (with french) and I just thought it would be kind of encouraging to see you speaking as well!

[@ChristianTapper]

Great tips! It’s so true what you said about how study endurance relates to your level. For example my reading level in Finnish is quite good so I can read for an hour or two no problem. But with Cantonese I have to split it up more since it takes more effort for me to read. Funnily enough when it comes to speaking it’s the opposite as my Cantonese is stronger in that area.

[@henriettfortmolnar1727]

Hi Lindie, I really like that you're learning Hungarian. :) It's unbelievable and it could be very hard... The menstrual cycle is sooo true! Thanks for your videos! 🌸

[@laurel9023]

I try to listen to something in Spanish at least a little bit everyday. This keeps me motivated to keep learning and understanding better!

[@boundlessasia_6449]

I love that you mentioned the menstrual cycle b/c I have been incorporating all aspects in my life around how my engird during the month. Cant wait to put these tips into practice

[@weave_girl325]

This makes me feel so much better. I have only been learning Korean for a couple months now, I can see my progress, but sometimes I want to jump ahead or feel like I'm going to slow. But then I have to remind myself that it's a journey, that I will get to my goals. I'm definitely going to try the 15, 30, 15. Because an hour just hurts my brain, and I feel overwhelmed. 💜💜

[@blackcatwanderlust]

This is fantastic! I started doing the 15-30-15 idea yesterday and I think it's going to work really well. I've also never applied the menstrual cycle stuff to language learning but it makes so much sense when you spell it out like that. Now I need to start tracking and see if I can figure out when my most productive times are!

[@JessentialLife]

Yes!!!! I 100% agree with you on planning around your lady cycle! When I do that it is so effective and helpful!

[@adrijapattanayak9316]

This is so exciting

[@noorallawati5390]

OMG i have this issue! I started with super energy but with days i still love it, but my job exhausts my brain so im just tired and don’t feel i can study! Will try your tips 💕

[@sahdy2015]

Thats a beautiful language and iranians are so helpful when people want to learn their language so making friends with a few people will increase your exposure to the language. Im learning it myself and it's been a great experience especially because my native language is so different.

[@lindsooo8071]

I'm a Farsi native speaker and I would really be glad to help you or answer your questions.

[@candacep1117]

I’m 3 years into my Farsi study, too. I’m still so in love with it!

[@CarlosMiau]

Muchas gracias again por el vídeo

[@LindieBotes]

Hola y gracias Carlos!!

[@Adrian13rams]

❤️ thank you for providing your wisdom for free! I personally can’t hear the difference in mics, but then again, listening is always a problem with me in all themes of life 🤣 I was wondering if you ever made a video on how you recommend “studying” for job interview not in your native language and/or quickly require your industry jargon once you got the job. Recently I have been seeing job ads in my target language, but I don’t feel confident yet to be able to nail an interview in it. I would love to hear your thoughts and tips on that ❤️