How to learn a language after a break or after forgetting it 🙃

[@fivetimesyo]

I learned pretty fluent German when I was 18 yrs old. Last week, after almost 20 years without speaking a single word of German, I moved to Vienna and came back to full immersion. I was very nervous at first but I have to say I'm actually surprised (and relieved) at how much sticks around right under the surface where you thought it was gone. I find myself using German expressions that seem to come out of some musty back room in my brain that I didn't even know was there.

[@dominik.w1226]

Willkommen in Österreich!

[@s.jaunaly6927]

Thanks bro that has a little bit motivated me , because i can speak Swahili fluently but it's been 3 years since i left kenya and moved to britain and i feel a little bit nervous while speaking to my friends there and i try to avoid as much as to speak in Swahili because i fear of doing some grammatical mistakes and I've been talking Swahili to myself for 3 years but there is no one to improve my mistakes so it's being hard for me but after reading this comment i am feeling s little bit motivated.. thank u

[@hazel2634]

What I learned from this video: How to learn a language after a long break: 1. Start with what I have (such as notebooks) and go through them. While reviewing them, you can find what you still don't understand. You can transport those useful phrases, words to a new notebook. Also, you can use flashcards to memorize them. 2.Refresh yourself with lessons. Go to take new lessons or to get a tutor. 3.Listen as much as possible. 4.Have a conversation with your friends. 5.Read as much as you can. 6.Break language learning goals into tiny, tiny ones. 7.Write journal entries every week. Last but not least, don't feel bad about yourself and don't feel bad about taking a long break. Thanks for your video. I love you soooooo much! 💕

[@lau-radio]

As a Spanish speaker I've decided to study to be an English teacher in college so I stopped learning Italian completely. I'm now trying to find a way to fit small sessions into my schedule!!! It'll be a lot easier than starting from scratch but I'm still at a beginner level. Thank you for this video!!! ❤

[@Tehui1974]

I took a 23 year pause on learning my target language! (I'm not joking). I wasn't a good language student the first time, so i was effectively starting from scratch again. After 2 1/2 years I'm now at a B1 level and within striking distance of reaching B2.

[@klaudia9151]

It's actually relieving that we don't forget things at all. It means that any effort we've made matters and we don't have to blame ourselves for doing a pause🥰

[@heatherhanlon2799]

I just got back into learning Japanese recently and it feels great to be back in the language. I forgot how beautiful the language is

[@glowingeyes5567]

Heyyy me learning Nihongo too! ^^

[@TimeDiddy]

I started 日本語 when I was about 10-11 and i’m turning 14 soon and I haven’t done any since I was around 12, I feel really bad about it

[@TimeDiddy]

goodluck to you anyways!!

[@johannfer7073]

I just can't imagine myself a day without at least listening to a French song. It's a part of me now despite how busy I am.

[@CrisOnTheInternet]

I think in many cases we stop doing things just because we don't have big chunks of time to do it. But even listening a song is better than nothing when it comes to learning/practicing languages

[@sonderexpeditions]

Same

[@itskippie6115]

I have no idea why I read the title as "How to restart learning a language after a heartbreak" I'm FIlipino by the way, and I adore that you're learning our language. There's a Filipino saying (at least I heard it from a song) that goes, "Kung ayaw may dahilan, kung gusto palaging merong paraan" which is the Tagalog version of the saying "If there's a will, there's a way." But roughly translated, it's "If (you) don't really want (it), there will (always) be excuses. If you want (it), there's always a way" The song is "Antukin" by Rico Blanco if you're interested

[@glowingeyes5567]

Kapag may tiyaga, may nilaga! HAHHAA Hullo kabayan! What language are you learning? ^^

[@KathyakaNina]

Thank you for this! I did 2 jobs for a while & had to take a pause on studying Japanese, I felt horrible & sad that even now I haven’t put much time by working now. At least I got a job in the field that I study for which was a long process to get to. I try to go back on some Japanese courses from what I learned in Duolingo & boy I admit it was a struggle for me on going back my memory on some words but glad that some of it is coming back & actually pressing the words that I forgot what they meant & not feeling bad for it. Thank for the tips on reviewing notes & microgoals! I definitely gotta do that (or brush up on it again) & not be too hard on myself as a perfectionist.

[@RadioGirLF]

My Korean has been on pause for four years now. I thought I only remembered annyonghaseyo at this point but the other day while at work I randomly started naming things I see around me like table, phone, desk etc. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I managed to dig from my memory.

[@natalie8160]

I would like to restart French and German one day, as I studied them both at school MANY years ago! Off topic, but those glasses look really good on you 😊

[@trixieloo]

I made it to A-2 in French and during the pandemic, stopped progress. I signed up for the Lingoda Sprint to get it back in gear and you’re right, picking it up again is easier than the first time. I’m enjoying the Sprint so far!

[@LindieBotes]

I am glad you like Lingoda - idk where my Spanish would be without them hahah. Good luck with French!

[@Sarah-qy4we]

I have to break my year up and study German during the semester, and Russian during breaks. I've made lots of progress in Russian and I really hate to turn my attention to German and completely put Russian aside for so long - I'm really glad you made this video! It's a good reminder that it's not impossible :)

[@deabee2786]

Perfect Timing!!! I wanted to "restart"/ brush up on my Japanese starting tomorrow! Thank you Lindie!!!

[@ameerahsimon2933]

These video came right on time. I’m a French Major and have hardly done much this summer break due to a bunch of life stuff. Thank youuuuu~

[@johnjialelim7570]

I learnt Koine Greek, classical Hebrew, Latin, English, Malay, French and Chinese (my native language) before but currently I think I Iose my Hebrew and I am planning to go back to it soon. The more languages I learn the less time I have to spend for maintenance. At one point, I just decided to just focus on comprehension instead of active skills (speaking and writing). I really enjoy reading so instead of wasting energy, effort, resources on active skills, I can just focus on reading comprehension for maximum efficiency.

[@TheSmokeWatcher]

In your experience, does focusing on reading comprehension help you understand more?

[@marilenakovatsi7795]

What do you mean by Koine greek?

[@johnjialelim7570]

@@TheSmokeWatcher New Testament Greek

[@thatclairosong4161]

I'm always having a break with Korean/Italian so this was really helpful. It's just hard for me to keep being motivated

[@nucita.]

¡Ay Lindie como caída del cielo! Justo hoy tuve mi primer clase de francés en 3 meses y el maestro me frió el cerebro con los números de cinco cifras 😂

[@Phoenix_playlists]

I haven’t been able to do language learning in ages because of college and exams. I’m finally ready to restart learning, and then this pops up! Thank you Lindie for this video, it’s finally motivated me to start learning again 💕💕

[@LindieBotes]

I am so glad to hear that, Selina! Good luck with getting back into languages!

[@aimeea8404]

I highly suggest the Duolingo podcasts for anyone at an intermediate level in Spanish, French, or Japanese! The stories are so interesting and engaging. There's also some translation to understand the concepts and vocabulary. It's great for listening practice.

[@lilyraimey3499]

In the future, would you ever consider picking up Gaeilge (Irish/Irish Gaelic) as a hobby language when you have more free time? It’s a GORGEOUS language, and it uses the VSO sentence structure, which I love. Incredible to speak and listen to, highly recommended.

[@LorenaGotopo]

¡Este vídeo me cayó como anillo al dedo! Hoy estoy comenzando mi nuevo plan de estudio retomando 3 idiomas que había abandonado completamente y debo decir que me ayudaste mucho con tus tips. Gracias, Lindie😊💕

[@saskiamckenna2925]

This video couldn't have come at a better time for me!

[@jacoblee9765]

Same here

[@karolykiss6752]

I am a hungarian man but I can't speak perfectly Hungarian language.,so I never give up or don't take a break. I love this channel so much that I started to learn English.

[@emel3925]

I am learning Hungarian and I’m so grateful that everyone I’ve practiced with has had a similar attitude as you. It’s really nice when people are encouraging to others trying to learn their language 😊 Sok sikert az angol nyelvtanuláshoz! 🙌

[@hannofranz7973]

Je seulement peux confirmer ce que tu as dit. J'avais appris le français su lycée pendant quelques années et j'étais arrivé à un bon niveau, mais mes interêts pour mes langues changeaient et je commençait à apprendre l'espagnol et à perfectionner mon anglais. J'avais laissé Mon français á coté pendant beaucoup d'années en practicant la langue seulement en plusieurs occasions. C'était dans un voyage au sud de la France que je me suis rendu compte que je n'avais perdu mes connaissance de la langue tellement. J'ai decidé de refraicher mon français en commençant avec les materiaux didactiques pour débutants et en peu de temps ( un ans après ) je déjà continuait avec les livres à niveau B1 et B2. Il me donnait beaucoup de satisfaction.

[@Xituyu]

I’ve been struggling with this for months with Japanese. I finally decided to order notebooks and restart this week so this video came at a good time! It sucks that I can’t understand half of my old notes now…so I’m doing the solar system method using what vocab is most important to me based on experience talking in/living in Japan

[@itsisa1319]

Thank you. This made me feel better. I took 6 months off French to start a new job and have been feeling so badly about it.

[@sophieunsolved]

I’ve recently decided to learn Spanish again after I stopped a couple of years ago, so this is perfectly timed! Thanks for posting it

[@LeaflingLearns]

So perfect that you put this video out during the 1 Month 1 Secret Language Challenge!! I really appreciate you bringing up the unhelpful "I should be better" shame. As you said, we are in a good position to really solidify information that we learned in the past!!

[@abil2726]

You honestly have no idea how much I need this video right now! Every since my final year of secondary school started I took a break from learning Bisaya and Japanese to focus on my studies for the major exams at the end of the year. Since I’m done with my exams I found it really difficult to get back into learning Japanese cuz I only started last year, I was surprised by how much I forgot. I’ll do my best to take your advice and not to be so hard on myself and hopefully with a lot of effort I’ll be able to pick up where I left off. Thanks Lindie🥰

[@minimoongirl47]

So glad to hear that you are leading the design team! CONGRATULATIONS!! 🎉 It is also refreshing to hear others talk about the frustrations of learning a language and then falling off after a period of time due to inactivity. Reviewing is everyone’s best friend❤️

[@irem0223]

Hello.. Im native Turkish speaker. And i speak 4. High intermediate Spanish, fluent in English , intermediate speaker in Korean. I love your videos so much! I hope you keep doing that!🥰

[@anamendez7785]

Thanks for making this video💗I've been losing motivation to keep studying japanese after classes lately and I've realized that there are many topics I forgot that I'm supposed to know already, so it's kinda sad to see that I'm between N4 and N3 level when I actually don't remember many grammar from N4 or even some from N5. This is what I needed to hear, thank you❤️

[@jssmedialangs]

Your handwriting is so beautiful! 😢 Like the idea of starting where you left off and using what you've got. I have a bad habit of thinking I have to start all over again... which is stressful. 🙃 Thanks for the tips!

[@PolyglotProgress]

I love that leaf metaphor! It can be so easy to dwell on where we are at and where we want to be and spend time stressing and figuring out how the perfect way to go from one to the other, when that time could be used to make small amounts of progress. Great video as always, though I must say I've been extra-loving everything you've posted recently!

[@J11_boohoo]

Omg, cause of online school I haven’t done any big progress in a year and I’ve been recently thinking about getting back but don’t know when to start a couple days ago then this video showed up!

[@Arturo-Peredo]

4:15 I love the "Thank you for your patience" as if it's not going to be edited so that there's no wait at all

[@vangogh8644]

Yay! 🎉 J'aime bien vos vidéos, Lindie! ❤️

[@thejunochannel5022]

I am a Filipino and most of the words in Tagalog actually came in Spanish. So I am pretty that you're gonna be fluent in Tagalog soon along with your Spanish. Rooting for you! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@RobertHeslop]

Great video Lindie. I took about a year off from actively studying Korean, then I started to ease back into in July, I started using HelloTalk and speaking to Korean natives, using videos from TTMIK, e-books, watching dramas and listening to music. I'm going to continue on working on it while waiting on the pandemic to calm in Thailand so that I can go to England ,get my final document then apply for the E2 visa for Korea.

[@mylenamendes6368]

I’m brazilian and I studied english for almost my entire life until a long break of 5 years or more. I have decided to restart my language learning before 2025 and I’m really excited to continue back where I stopped. I’m certain your tips will encourage me to start right now and at This moment i’m taking some notes in english to see if i still know write in english 😂 It seems i know a little! Thanks for tips

[@mariakudimova]

Lindie, thank you so much for your advice! I'm on my way to get back to Spanish after two intense years of Portuguese. I know that the road won't be easy but with your advice, it will be more fruitful! Thank you for the inspiration!

[@RomeJuanatas]

I’m also getting back to Spanish and I agree with breaking language learning into smaller and simpler tasks. It has helped me a lot when I was first doing self-study for Korean Love your videos!!! And I’m surprised to know you’ve been studying Tagalog

[@lawrencemararac15]

Woahh!! Just the video that I was looking for. It's been months since I learned a language consistently, and now that I wanted to go back to consistent language learning, I searched for your channel and this video popped out! Thank you so much for the tips and I'm really really excited to start a new language learning journey!

[@LindieBotes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stefaniasomfai6619]

Wow, it's so awesome that you were in Hungarian TV! So sad that I didn't know about this before (although I don't watch TV haha. But I would have loved to have seen you!) Anyway, I recently started re-learning Danish after a few years, and I was frustrated and scared too, but your videos, now including this one, helped me a lot, so thank you! (: Much love from Budapest ❤

[@sabrinaj826]

Thank you so much for making this video! I found your tip to not jump into tests or new textbooks especially helpful and yes, listening is soooo good for learning and experiencing the language. Thanks again ❤️

[@butter7556]

This is perfect! I've been regretfully idle in my language learning especially so with my motivation constantly dropping, and just the overall necessity for me to not pour all my attention to learning because I have things external to it that I also have to tend to.

[@amaelriesterer1421]

God Lindie your tips are soo helpful. I did a one year break on chinese and am getting back into it. I don't want it to end again the way it did the last time which is where your video comes in handy. THANK YOU💘💪

[@consistencyiskey_]

Filipino here! Imagine my delight when you mentioned Tagalog 😊 So happy to have come across your channel, I really enjoyed listening to you, and I'm getting more motivated to learn my goal languages too!

[@ktibers5776]

I'm re-learning Korean and I'll surely keep these tips in mind. Thanks so much Lindie!

[@RenataSantos-qw4pz]

I haven't been able to find the motivation I need to brush up on my Spanish lately. I had three years of classes at school, but it's been years and I haven't practiced much. I know I have not forgotten everything, I'm just more motivated with my English in recent years.

[@Eric-zj3fc]

2:37 I had that feeling with English. I studied for while, then I got bored. But you know, English is everywhere, at some point I had to learn it again... And I did. But at the first time I tried it I was not enjoying it too much. However, after the break, for some reason, I start linking it. I think being forced to learn something is very harmful. Learning something by passion is much more rewardable. Now I enjoy learning languages in general and I'm keen to learn others besides English. My goal is to learn Spanish, once all my neighboring countries speak that language; and Japanese, because I think Kanji is such a beautiful thing. And of course, keep learning English, because language is something you study for life.

[@arrayindexoutofboundsexcep1088]

Thank you, Lindie! You're helping me all the time with your videos. Through all situations of ma language learning journey.

[@tiramisunsun]

Seven years of learning German at school, and despite the bad teachers, I was actually at a satisfying level. Now, it's been three years I haven't practiced but as I read an article in German yesterday, I realized I still could understand a lot... It's crazy how many informations can be stock in the brain and you're not always aware of it.

[@ShawnLivesInItaly]

Thank you Lindie - I admire your abilities in language I have to try more and I will.

[@kamiliukskamiliuks]

I took a break from Korean for a few months so this video came just in time!❣️

[@baytangmu]

Wow. That was truly helpful and motivational, especially for me who struggles to get back on track with Korean after I mostly focused on Mandarin because of my major. I always felt afraid of reviewing my Korean notes because I remember the progress I made after living in Seoul for 1 year. I always compared my current level to the higher level I had in Korea which upsets me so much. Watching your video helped me so much. Thank you!

[@clarew-o8381]

ugh i haven't studied languages all summer but just today i started a new language (japanese)! hoping to get back into my russian and french soon though

[@lazybaby525]

Привет

[@clarew-o8381]

@@lazybaby525 привет))

[@kellimbt]

This is so timely for me. Thanks Lindie!

[@ErnieV76]

Your videos are always on point Lindie. Always so transparent about your goals changing. I’ve had similar changes and they’re always better for me. 👍🏼

[@LindieBotes]

Thanks always for watching, Ernie!!

[@yasiakbari3535]

OMG i'm dealing with it too. i was studying Korean but then i got busy with school and my thesis and i just quit ! not even a single page since then. i need to get back at it

[@osonhodeleon]

I'm back with my journey of learning KOREAN. So happy.

[@kagomekirari25]

Completely off-topic for this video, but your Korean handwriting is so pretty!

[@LindieBotes]

Thank you so much 😀

[@sri9764]

hey Lindie, this is exactly what i wanted. Thank you so much! stay safe

[@thatomarymokhothu203]

You always give such useful, insightful and well-thought-out advice. Thank you and keep it up! This is the content we need.

[@emmaopaline]

I've stopped to learn japanese many times. But this timd was a long break so I decide to do each day 10 to 15 minutes of basic japanese to refresh it ! Thanks you for this video to decupabilize the fact that you have partially forgotten a language !!

[@perlaescent]

This year (and part of last year) I’ve been fully occupied with full time work and my classes for my Master’s degree that I had to put a lot of my interest aside, studying languages included. I hope to get back into my Japanese, Chinese, and Korean language studies soon because I do miss studying them. (Japanese is the one I’ve studied the most and my level hasn’t changed too significantly) Surprisingly enough I still retained some things I learned from school when it comes to Chinese and Korean even though it’s been almost a decade since I’ve formally studied them.

[@marinagerezvalenzuela5740]

your handwritting is so cute

[@madeleineeig4178]

I decided to learn japanese this year, and I haven't really made any progress the past month, i'm hoping that this video will help me start up again (I've continued practicing vocab, but not anything new)

[@teresita.lozada]

What I need today. I am re-learning French. Thank you once again, Lindie.

[@m87020]

You always come through right when I need you, Lindie thanks for another super useful video and please take care!

[@MStonewallC]

I'm trying to get back into Arabic and it's frustrating coming across so many words that seem familiar but I can't quite place them. Relating it to something you said in this video helps though, "it's gonna take you less time to relearn it than it did for you to learn it from scratch." That feeling I get is just an assurance that it's gonna be easier this time around.

[@WhitneyChakara]

I did like Lingoda. I took classes in Spanish and French. However, at that time you had to use a different account for each language (if I recall), and often have to take classes out of order to get them to fit the free time you have available.

[@lararibeirogianini6723]

i was high intermediate to low advanced in spanish and i stopped studying it about 6 years ago now i feel like everything i understand is because of the similarity with portuguese and it is so fustrating! thanks for the tips

[@tdk97]

This is very topical for me. It's infinitely harder if you spend the whole time judging yourself because recall isn't as fast as before. Language learning is a lifelong journey after all.

[@wolverine712]

I'm a simple man. I see a new video from Lindie, I click.

[@hermionegranger4419]

Video just at the right time 😭💜

[@dilmiabdelnour9262]

thank you very much lindie you motivate me to make my best to learn french and English

[@LindieBotes]

You can do it!

[@henrdias]

I don't speak English fluently. I guess, the most people who follow you also do not speak. But you speak in a didactic way. I don't even miss subtitles. I end up practicing English by learning other languages.Because it's easier to find material. Thank you for always keeping us motivated and for always showing that you have another way to learn

[@amandeepsinghvirk8661]

I think linde is astrologist, I was facing this problem,thank you for making this video

[@avmlanguages22]

Thanks for this video, Lindie! It's really helpful for me right now that I'm struggling with French hahah I didn't how to retake it. I'm also basically new to your channel, great videos!!!🤗

[@God66]

I've been thinking about how to get back into learning Russian again after I had to take a semester-long break in order to focus on my BA thesis so this video is a god send lol And good luck with your French

[@katewoodruff8806]

Perfectly timed topic for me, thank you!

[@eldelisaaa]

Yaayyyy okay this is my current situation with Chinese Language 🙂✌

[@LindieBotes]

Good luck 💖💖

[@elizabethmccurdy9586]

Thank you for this video, Lindie! This came to me at the perfect time. I want to refresh my Spanish after having studied it in college (I was a Spanish major, but I don’t have a degree). I also took a few French classes in college, and I want to refresh my French, too. Oh, and I started learning Mandarin Chinese early this year, but I haven’t studied it since then. I want to refresh two languages, start Chinese again, and learn another one (Japanese) from scratch. Yep, I’m a mess.

[@susanc1179]

Hi, This is a great video. I’m considering the Lingoda Sprint. I’ve taken a loong break. I think something structured might be just what I need to develop consistency. I’m unsure though. I’ve tried many programs to learn Spanish. I don’t want to fail again.

[@misomar7193]

This is me with Japanese, I feel bad for not studying. Online school took up all my time haha, but now I'm going back into it

[@vaibhavi1817]

Please lindie make a video on spanish dialects and accent for beginners.

[@jlcsr9163]

I can relate to this when i have free time I study then when i get busy i can't so I forget what i learned .

[@sk9325]

This definitely helps me with my Russian. Thanks Lindie 😊💖

[@shazamgod526]

After taking a short break from learning Japanese, I am now more eager to learn it. By the way, anyone here who needs a language partner in Japanese? (I'm still a beginner though)

[@biagioiovine6991]

Never have I related to a video more than I do now

[@SpencerYonce]

You rock! Thanks for the video!

[@freyesha4110]

I literally stole the Hungarian concept from you...If that is okay, thank you so much 🥺🥺💕❤I love that language ☺💕And also there are many languages that I kinda "Abandoned " so I think this video will help me out a lot .

[@asbhhid]

👏Always inspiring and interesting. Thank you

[@ralfj.1740]

Love you hair in this video, you should keep it like this, looks great, also the color! 🙂

[@LindieBotes]

Oh thank you! I'll think about it :)

[@WaraSri-m9e]

This vid what i ve been needed recently TT😭😭😂😘😘

[@laetitialuna]

Amazing vid as always! J'adore ta façon de penser ! Tu es tellement bienveillante, ça me donne toujours un énorme boost de t'écouter ! Merci Lindie

[@sobluebedford]

Trying to reboot my studies. Whats wild is Me landing on this video when there's 4 months left to the year as you're saying there's only 5 months left in the year.😅😅

[@robertomarcio5343]

I love your videos I'm very much your fan and with me several Brazilians I hope you see Brazil soon