Lost Passion for Language Learning? Try These 5 Strategies!
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Learning a new language is exciting at first: full of dreams about speaking fluently, traveling with ease, or connecting with new people. But let’s be honest: somewhere along the way, the excitement fades, and frustration creeps in. Suddenly, grammar feels overwhelming, words slip out of memory, and motivation disappears.
I know this feeling very well. When I first started learning English as a child in Hong Kong, I hated it. Back then, English was just a school subject forced upon us because of Hong Kong’s colonial history. I had to memorise endless word lists and spellings, and I never saw the fun in it. My parents pushed me hard because good English scores meant university opportunities and a better job in the future.
But something shifted when I finally had a teacher in secondary school who made English make sense. She explained the rules clearly, spoke with a beautiful accent, and treated English like a living language instead of a boring subject. That was my turning point. I started to see little wins, and those small successes fuelled my motivation. Step by step, English transformed from something I hated into something I now love deeply — so much that today, I live in the UK, teach in schools, run a Mandarin channel supported by English, and even have my own English-speaking YouTube channel.
If you’re struggling to stay motivated in your language journey, you’re not alone. The good news? Motivation is not something you either “have” or “don’t have.” It’s something you can nurture. Here are five strategies that helped me (and my students and audience) keep going, even when passion fades.
1. Link the Language to What You Love
Instead of focusing on how difficult or boring the language feels, tie it to something you already enjoy. Do you love cooking? Follow recipes in your target language. Love music? Listen to songs and translate the lyrics. Into gaming? Play with settings switched to that language.
When you connect the language to your hobbies, you stop seeing it as “study” and start seeing it as part of life. The more fun you have, the more natural the learning becomes.
2. Celebrate Small Wins
Motivation thrives on progress, even tiny progress. Every small milestone matters.
Think about it: the first time you understand a joke in the language, order food without pointing at the menu, or catch a movie scene without subtitles - those are huge victories! They’re proof that you’re moving forward, and they give you the dopamine hit to keep going.
I’ve experienced this with my own French learning. After studying on and off for two years, I took the DELF A1 exam last October in 2024. It’s only a beginner level, but passing it felt incredible. That certificate reminded me: if I keep going, I’ll one day reach fluency. Every small step counts.
Even my 9-year-old son shows this. Sometimes he resists practicing Chinese characters, saying, “Breh 🫤 I don’t want to.” But when he spots familiar characters in a book or on TV, he proudly shouts them out like he’s mastered the language. We celebrate those moments, making him feel capable and motivated. Kids — and adults too — need those little wins to stay curious and keep pushing.
3. Imagine Your Future Fluent Self
This might sound a little “woo-woo,” but imagination is powerful. Close your eyes and picture yourself speaking fluently.
✨ Imagine chatting confidently with colleagues.
✨ Ordering coffee abroad without hesitation.
✨ Passing your immigration interview with ease.
✨ Laughing along with locals, fully understanding the conversation.
This is called manifestation, or simply visualising success. When you believe fluency is possible, your actions naturally align with that belief. Instead of saying, “This is too hard,” you start thinking, “It’s only a matter of time.”
I even role-play this for fun. For example, in French:
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Before (awkward beginner): “Euh… je voudrais… un… café…?”
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After (confident fluent): “Bonjour! Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît. Oh, et un croissant aussi. Merci beaucoup!”
The contrast is funny, but it also trains my brain to believe that confident version is possible. Visualisation isn’t magic, it’s motivation.
4. Give Yourself Permission to Quit
This one might surprise you. If you’ve tried everything (different methods, teachers, apps), and your heart still says no, it’s okay to stop.
Sometimes, the problem isn’t the language, it’s the bigger picture. If you feel zero desire to learn the local language of the country you live in, maybe ask yourself: is this really where I want to stay long-term? Or is it just a temporary stop in life?
There’s no shame in being honest with yourself. Quitting doesn’t mean failure. It means self-awareness. You can always come back to the language later — like I did with French.
When I studied in Toulouse for half a year, I fell in love with French. But once I returned to Hong Kong, French became useless in daily life. So I stopped. Years later, after moving to the UK, I picked it up again for pleasure. And now, it feels easier and even more enjoyable because the timing is right.
Sometimes letting go is the bravest choice. And sometimes, picking it up again later makes it even sweeter.
5. Small Tricks + The Mindset Shift
Finally, some quick tips that helped me (also my students and audience) when motivation ran low:
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Applying micro-learning: Study in 5–10 minute bursts. Small, consistent sessions add up.
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Finding a low-pressure partner: Find someone kind and patient to practice with. Mistakes should feel safe, not scary.
But here’s the big mindset shift:
👉 You don’t need passion to start. You need consistency.
Passion often follows progress, not the other way around.
For example, I love creating content for my YouTube channel, but when it comes to editing and filming, my passion drains quickly. What keeps me going is consistency and celebrating each upload as a small win. Every video reminds me why I started, and that’s how I keep the momentum alive.
Language learning is the same. You won’t feel passionate every day. But if you stay consistent, progress will fuel passion, and passion will keep the cycle going.
Learning a language is not always easy, but it’s always worth it. Whether it’s linking the language to your hobbies, celebrating small wins, imagining your fluent self, being honest about your journey, or simply showing up every day with consistency. Each step brings you closer to fluency.
Remember: fluency isn’t built in a day. It’s built in daily choices.
So the next time you feel like giving up, try one of these strategies. Who knows, a small win today might just reignite your passion tomorrow.