Embrace the Process: Why Flexibility and Openness are Key to Success in one-on-one Second Language Training

As a public servant in Canada, achieving proficiency in a second language, such as French or English, is often essential for career advancement. Many learners aim to pass the evaluation test administered by the Public Service Commission to obtain a B or C level. 

 However, it’s crucial to remember that learning a second language is ultimately about effective communication, not about becoming a living dictionary or the world champion of grammar. The goal is to communicate appropriately in a work environment—whether with colleagues, managers, directors, or clients—at the required level.

To succeed, it’s important to make the most of your one-on-one second language training sessions. Here are some key strategies that can help you maximize your learning experience and progress effectively.

1. Create and Stick to a Structured Schedule

Consistency is key to language learning. Plan each class thoroughly and make sure to follow a well-organized schedule. This will help you stay focused and allow for optimal retention of information. Start each class with a brief 5-minute warm-up or casual chat with your instructor to get comfortable and ease into the session.

After the warm-up, the class should be broken into three distinct activities, with short breaks between each segment. This approach ensures sustained concentration and helps avoid burnout. A typical breakdown could look like this:

• Warm-up (5 minutes): Casual conversation to start the session.
• First activity (40-50 minutes): Focus on one key area such as oral communication, reading comprehension, or vocabulary building.
• Break (2-5 minutes): A short pause to refresh your mind.
• Second activity (40-50 minutes): Another focused activity targeting different language skills like writing or listening comprehension.
• Break (2-5 minutes): Another short break to keep your energy up.
• Third activity (40-50 minutes): The final activity, focusing on a different aspect, such as speaking or vocabulary acquisition.

2. End the Class with a Summary

Before the class ends, take time with your instructor to review the session’s content. The instructor will then write a summary report on MyLearningMyWay, detailing what was covered and highlighting any relevant information for the next session, particularly if a different instructor is taking over. This ensures continuity and keeps track of your progress.

3. Why This Structure Works

This breakdown of activities with short breaks helps improve focus and accelerate progress. Each segment works on different competencies—oral communication, listening, comprehension, writing, and vocabulary. By varying the activities, you avoid getting bogged down by focusing too much on a single skill, such as grammar, which we often see as a common struggle among learners.

Instead, this holistic approach engages multiple areas of language acquisition, ensuring that no single competency is neglected. It helps learners progress faster and develop more well-rounded language skills.

4. Focus on Communication, Not Perfection

Remember that the ultimate goal of language learning is effective communication. It’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae of grammar rules or vocabulary lists, but the true measure of success is your ability to convey ideas clearly and appropriately in a professional context. Whether you’re communicating with teammates, managers, directors, or clients, the focus should be on practical language use rather than striving for perfection.

We are all different in how we communicate and how we learn. Therefore, the process of achieving your language goals should be seen as a collaborative effort, not a race. Stress and fatigue, especially during full-time training, are significant factors that need to be managed carefully. In full-time training, it’s also easy to develop habits that can make you less efficient or productive. These challenges must be regularly reviewed, discussed, and monitored.

5. Progress Reports as a Tool for Success

Progress reports are invaluable for tracking how your second language training is going. They provide insights into whether the learner and the instructor are working well together and heading in the right direction to meet the learner’s expectations. These reports allow for adjustments to be made if necessary, ensuring that the learning process remains on track and aligned with your goals.

6. Avoid the Habit of Over-Translating

For beginner learners, there is often a tendency to translate everything into their first language. While this might seem helpful at first, it actually slows down your progress in acquiring and using the second language. Translation hampers your ability to think and speak directly in the target language. It also forces the instructor to rely on translation tools like Google Translate or to speak in your first language, which should be avoided as much as possible.

Instead, focus on using as many words in the second language as possible, even if you make mistakes along the way. Beginners will often lack the necessary vocabulary or grammar knowledge, but practicing speaking the second language helps build confidence and leads to much faster progress.

7. Embrace Mistakes and Keep Speaking

Speaking in your second language, even when you make mistakes, is the most effective way to improve. The goal is to become comfortable using the language, and that only happens through practice. Don’t worry about perfect grammar or pronunciation—what matters most is using the language as much as possible. Over time, you’ll find that your confidence grows, and with it, your ability to communicate effectively in your second language.

8. Ensure Your Training Plan is in MyLearningMyWay and Follow It

Having the right training plan tailored to your learning needs is crucial. This plan should be properly set up in your MyLearningMyWay account, outlining your goals, areas of focus, and the steps needed to achieve your language proficiency target. Your instructor will guide you through this plan, ensuring that each session is aligned with your overall learning objectives.

The success of your language learning journey is a combination of your commitment and motivation, the knowledge and professionalism of your instructor, and the adherence to the structured approach outlined in this article. By consistently following the plan in MyLearningMyWay, you can track your progress and make necessary adjustments in consultation with your instructor, ensuring you stay on the path to success.

9. Balancing Expectations with Reality: Navigating Language Training and Work Demands

Understanding and acknowledging your own capacity is crucial when engaging in second language training, particularly in the context of competing professional demands. Often, there is a conflict between the urgent need to achieve a B or C level proficiency within a set timeframe—driven by work-related deadlines—and the actual time required to effectively learn and internalize a new language. This disconnect can lead to increased stress, as learners may feel pressured to accelerate their learning pace to meet these deadlines. However, this rush often proves counterproductive, as the additional stress can impede learning, leading to slower progress rather than faster results.

To navigate this challenge, it’s essential to have a realistic understanding of what is achievable within your available time and energy. Language learning is a complex and gradual process that cannot be forced or rushed without compromising the quality of your learning experience. Therefore, it is important to assess your capacity honestly and set achievable goals.

Open and transparent communication with all involved parties—your instructor, training coordinator, managers, and human resources—is key to managing these expectations effectively. By discussing your current workload, the pressures you are facing, and your language learning goals, you can work together to create a training plan that respects your professional obligations while also being realistic about the time and effort needed for language acquisition.

This collaborative approach ensures that your learning objectives are aligned with your work responsibilities, reducing unnecessary stress and creating a more supportive environment. It also helps in setting a pace that allows for meaningful progress without overwhelming you. The goal is to match your expectations with the realities of language learning, making the journey smoother and more manageable, while still aiming for success.

10. Stay the Course: How to Keep Your Motivation Strong

Learning a new language can be daunting, but remember, every small step you take is progress. If you’re feeling anxious or stressed, it’s important to remind yourself that everyone learns at their own pace and that your journey is unique. Here are some practical activities and strategies to keep you motivated and reduce stress:

• Celebrate Small Wins: Set mini-goals for yourself, such as learning a certain number of new words each week or mastering a particular grammar rule. Celebrate these achievements, no matter how small, as they contribute to your overall progress. Treat yourself to something you enjoy after reaching these milestones—a favorite snack, a walk in the park, or a relaxing evening with a good book.

• Use Language in Fun Ways: Incorporate the language you’re learning into your daily life in enjoyable ways. Watch movies or TV shows in your target language with subtitles, listen to music or podcasts, or even try cooking a recipe written in that language. Engaging with the language in a relaxed setting can help reduce anxiety and make learning feel less like a chore.

• Practice with Peers: Find a language buddy—someone who is also learning the language or who is fluent. Regular practice sessions with a peer can make the learning process more interactive and less stressful. You can exchange feedback, share tips, and even laugh over mistakes, which helps to alleviate the pressure of perfection.

• Visualize Your Success: Take a few minutes each day to visualize yourself confidently using the language in real-life situations. Whether it’s giving a presentation at work, having a casual conversation with a colleague, or successfully completing a language test, visualizing success can help build confidence and reduce anxiety.

• Mindful Learning: Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your study routine. Before starting a session, take a few deep breaths to calm your mind. During breaks, practice a quick meditation or simply focus on your breathing to reduce stress. This can help you approach learning with a clear and focused mind, making it easier to absorb new information.

• Stay Connected with Your “Why”: Remind yourself why you’re learning this language. Whether it’s for career advancement, personal growth, or connecting with others, keeping your “why” at the forefront can be a powerful motivator. Write it down and keep it somewhere visible—on your desk, in your notebook, or as a reminder on your phone.

• Reward Yourself Regularly: Set up a reward system for your efforts. For example, if you complete a particularly challenging session or reach a new milestone, give yourself a reward. This could be anything from taking a break to enjoy a favorite hobby, to treating yourself to something special. Positive reinforcement can make the learning process more enjoyable and motivate you to keep going.

Conclusion

By following a structured class schedule, ensuring your training plan is in MyLearningMyWay, being aware of your capacity, balancing activities across all language competencies, and avoiding the pitfalls of over-translation, you will progress faster and become more confident in your second language.

Remember, language learning is a journey, not a race. Be patient with yourself, and know that it’s okay to have days when progress feels slow. What matters most is that you’re moving forward, one step at a time. Trust in your ability to learn, lean on your support system, and take pride in the progress you’re making. You’ve got this!

Embrace the journey, trust your training plan, and enjoy the learning process!