What I’m Noticing Now That I’m Learning Again

Language learning is hard. I mean really hard. The kind of hard that makes adults who have accomplished major things in their lives want to give up.

Staying focused in another language is exhausting. It’s mentally draining in a way that’s hard to explain unless you’ve lived it. It would be so easy to check out during a lesson. Instead, you’re trying to follow what’s being said, process it, figure out how to respond, and then say something back — all in the moment, all while trying to use the right tense. That isn’t easy.

There are times when it feels tempting to throw in the towel and decide it’s just not worth the effort.

And lately, as I sit in class feeling that exhaustion, I keep thinking about my students — especially the beginners and true intermediates. How tired they must feel by the end of the day. How much effort it takes to stay engaged when your brain is constantly working overtime.

I remember one day in particular. It was the day before break, the very last class of the day, and one of my true intermediate students wrote on his Do Now that he didn’t want to do anything. Unfortunately for me, I was being observed that day. I had planned a murder mystery activity and was hoping he would be willing to participate — not just for the observation, but because I genuinely wanted it to be fun.

Luckily, he jumped on board. With the scaffolds in place, he was willing to take risks, use the language, and enjoy the activity.

And sitting in my own language classes now, I get it on a deeper level. I need scaffolds too. Language learning is absolutely exhausting — and support isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s what makes staying engaged possible.