7 habits of highly effective learners
In language learning, regardless of your starting point, you can achieve your goal if you believe in yourself. Observing what the most successful learners do can be inspiring and will help you focus on what’s important and what really works.
Here are the 7 habits:
- Highly effective students are fearless.
- They are proactive.
- They seek exposure.
- They use a variety of tools.
- They are not perfectionists.
- These students are patient.
- Highly effective students don’t give up.
Learning a language is complex, and the time it takes to reach a satisfactory level varies greatly from person to person. It depends on various factors, and to expedite the process, it’s useful to study the habits of exceptional language learners and try to emulate what sets them apart.
In my nearly twenty years of teaching the beautiful Italian language, I’ve encountered a diverse array of students whose approaches to language learning differ significantly. However, there are certain behavioral patterns, personality traits, and mindsets that all effective learners exhibit.
These observed habits and mindsets don’t hinge on age. I’ve taught young, mature, and elderly students alike. While it’s true that learning might require more effort with age, some older students who’ve studied with me have taught me valuable lessons about grit, determination, and imagination.
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Habit No 1: highly effective students are fearless
The oldest person I ever taught was Doreen, who began learning Italian at 84 in one of my beginner classes. As a music teacher with a passion for the Italian language, Doreen was one of my most fearless and liberated students.
Even at the beginner level, she embraced speaking activities without overthinking, throwing herself into each task. Doreen engaged with the material, enjoying the process without self-doubt. She wasn’t afraid to appear foolish, speak up, or make mistakes.
Speaking can only be learned by speaking, so it’s essential for students to take that initial step, throw caution to the wind, and simply enjoy the experience.
Are you interested in finding out more about our classes focused on speaking? Book your free trial here.
Habit No 2: highly effective students are proactive
This is crucial for achieving any goal. In our context, being proactive means taking charge of one’s own learning. The best language learners are independent, developing their own strategies alongside classroom work, seeking out learning tips, and gathering ideas from various sources.
Molly, who joined our elementary classes, exemplified this trait. She never missed a lesson, consistently completed homework, and maintained a positive attitude. What set Molly apart was her ability to find learning opportunities everywhere, following us on Instagram and Facebook, engaging online, reading graded books at home, and even taking extra lessons during breaks. She was always the first to enrol in our pay-as-you-go conversation classes.
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Habit No 3: highly effective students seek exposure.
Effective learners understand the importance of exposure to the language, reading and listening far more than the average student.
Chris, a complete beginner in our class, actively participated and did homework, but he didn’t stop there. Once he attained a reasonable level, Chris expanded his learning through podcasts, online radio, and any available sources. Reading also became integral to his learning journey, starting with graded books and progressing to more challenging materials over time.
To learn how to make the most of your reading skills, read this.
Habit No 4: highly effective students use a variety of tools.
The most successful students leverage online platforms, group interactions, websites, and apps to enhance their vocabulary and language skills. However, they understand that relying solely on an app or YouTube alone cannot deliver the results they seek.
The work done in classroom is comprehensive, covering the development of all skills, including the most important one: speaking. At Parla Italiano, our experienced teachers not only teach with passion but also provide support and motivation during challenging tasks.
Habit No 5: highly effective students are not perfectionists.
They understand the value of embracing imperfection and viewing mistakes as essential components of the learning journey. Rather than fixating on flawless performance, they acknowledge that making errors is natural and necessary for improvement.
Our teachers are mindful of this crucial aspect, and while corrections are important, they are conducted intelligently and at the appropriate moment to preserve fluency and bolster confidence.
By letting go of perfectionism, these students cultivate a growth mindset that fosters resilience and adaptability. They approach challenges with openness, recognizing that each mistake is an opportunity to learn, refine skills, and ultimately achieve mastery. This mindset empowers them to navigate setbacks confidently and persistently, fostering continuous growth and development in their language learning endeavours.
Habit No 6: highly effective students are patient.
They understand that the process of learning a language is not a linear trajectory but rather a winding journey of dedication and perseverance. They acknowledge that achieving fluency takes time and consistent effort over several years.
Instead of seeking immediate results or becoming discouraged by temporary setbacks, these students remain committed to the long-term goal of language mastery. They embrace the incremental progress they make along the way, understanding that each step contributes to their overall growth and proficiency. Through their patience, these learners cultivate resilience and endurance, allowing them to navigate challenges with a steady determination that ultimately leads to success in language acquisition.
This term, at Parla Italiano, we are celebrating a group of students who have just transitioned to the C1 level. They started with us a few years back as complete beginners. What an amazing achievement. Well done!!
Habit No 7: highly effective students don’t give up.
When faced with challenges, they persevere, trusting the process and their abilities.
Learning a language is intricate, and progress isn’t always immediately apparent. When results aren’t immediate, it’s tempting to quit.
Camilla joined Parla Italiano at an intermediate level, realizing she hadn’t seen much progress despite regular study.
As a teacher herself, Camilla understood that learning isn’t always linear; sometimes, progress stalls. This realization can lead to frustration and doubt. However, Camilla trusted the process, persisted through the plateau, and eventually regained satisfaction in her Italian learning journey.
Conclusions
In conclusion, adopting the habits of highly effective learners can significantly enhance one’s language learning journey. By cultivating fearlessness, proactivity, exposure-seeking, and embracing imperfection, alongside patience and resilience, learners can navigate the complexities of language acquisition with confidence and perseverance.
Remember, language learning is a complex process that requires dedication and consistent effort, but the rewards of fluency and cultural connection are well worth the journey. Keep striving, keep learning, and enjoy the transformative experience of mastering a new language!
