Hallo, bonjour, hello, ciao!
The year is almost over—a perfect moment to take a look back.
This is for everyone who, just like myself and my students, learned one or more languages in 2024.
You may not always notice or feel your progress in mastering that (new) language that isn’t always easy, but if you think back to where you were a few months ago or at the start of the year, you’ll likely realize that things flow more smoothly now and that you’re making fewer mistakes. Learning a new language is like running a marathon—it has its ups and downs. And that’s completely normal. I’ve been studying Greek for four years now, and that has been my experience too. I talk about it in this short video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeOty1B5p7g
The result of eight years living in Spain and having had a Spanish partner over the past two years can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oo6b8RQAkmM
But it’s a journey that never ends, filled with challenges, even when you’ve reached a high level in the language. I’ve written a short piece about this, which you can read here:
https://somethingpolyglot.com/myblog/2024/11/28/languages-and-identity/
I’ve been fortunate to have students from all over the world who have taught me so much about their languages, cultures, countries, gastronomy, literature, and more, and for that, I’m truly grateful. It confirms what Jay Shetty writes in his book Think Like a Monk:
“Everyone is always simultaneously a student and a teacher.”
I’m ready to continue coaching and guiding my students in 2025 with renewed energy while also improving my own languages. I’m constantly striving to become a better teacher and coach by deepening my knowledge of the languages I teach.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful end of the year!
Ik wens jou en je familie alvast een prachtig eindejaar toe!
Je te souhaite, ainsi qu’à ta famille, une merveilleuse fin d’année !
Auguro a te e alla tua famiglia un meraviglioso fine anno!
P.S. If you or someone you know wants to work on their Spanish or English in 2025, my partner Alfredo offers Spanish or English lessons: https://www.languageswithalfredo.com/