April 2021
Recently I found a tweet that had a language learning challenge over 30 days that I wanted to try out: Hi Stella! I’m stumbled upon this in @italki by @fingtamLangs so decided to work out loud through it. On Twitter. It could be a mistake but that’s where the majority of my French speaking network is on. I’m trying to make Twitter more of my learning platform again. pic.twitter.com/zgGcaNYgWu
I decided to give it a go and see how it all pans out. A few French speaking people have been helping me along – most prefer to give their feedback through Direct Message as opposed to public view. So there was a lot more conversation happening “behind the scenes” most of all quite positive and encouraging me to keep going.
However, what also spurred me on were tweets like this where people were using your challenge as a means of explaining how you can “learn out loud” … you know you’re doing something right when they use you as an example for language learning! You came up in a workshop I was facilitating today ? we were discussing how to improve presentation/pitch skills and the topic of recording yourself to review came up. Then I mentioned you sharing these clips for feedback. Kudos to you for sharing your progress.
What Did I Learn Through This Challenge?
I’m not going to lie but halfway through this, I really wanted to give up. I kept thinking, “what’s the point of all this? Why am I doing this?” The reason is that it took some time out of the day to plan what I was going to say, then I filmed it, wasn’t happy with how I looked, stopped, went and put make up on or changed my shirt, re-shot it etc… it just took…time.
Until I just didn’t care about how I looked on camera and just turned the bloody thing on.
Lessons for me were:
- Making yourself accountable publicly means that you’re more likely to complete the challenge.
- There will be days where you just don’t want to do it and yet, because there’s a timeliness aspect to it – you just have to show up – as you are – and DO IT.
- If you’re not happy with the result of one day, make more of an effort to do better the next day
- People were 100% helpful, supportive and encouraging. I got so many messages about how I was inspiring people with their own language learning or doing something more openly
- I NEED to experiment and show BEFORE I preach. You’re not going to find me preaching HOW you should do something unless I’ve done that thing myself. Now I’m in a better position to understand how this challenge will be difficult for some people but not for others. I can see applications across different platforms – also how it could work within organisations (within closed communities) because I have gone through the entire process myself. I’ve got credibility, reputation and proof of completing.
- I really need to speak the target language. No speaking = not learning. No matter what language you’re learning, if you’re not challenging or motivating yourself to speak knowing FULL WELL you are making PLENTY of mistakes then you’re not learning. The idea is to overcome this fear and just fail but learn from it. Improve upon it.
- My French speaking network has grown DRASTICALLY. This has increased new networks with language experts and French speakers. What this means is that they will continually bring in different perspectives and insights to me that I can use and draw upon.
- Don’t spend too much time on how you look on camera (after all, you’re not shooting a professional video here). Instead use that time to plan out what you might say and how. Similarly, don’t over edit.
- Continually keep asking for feedback and advice.
- I am WAY MORE CONFIDENT OPENING MY MOUTH TO TALK – not shy in speaking French regardless of how bad it might sound.
Day 1
30 Day Language challenge. First question of #30DRYC @fingtamLangs “What language are you learning and why?” Any French speaking people please correct anything I’ve said! Merci. ?? (I can use Twitter mic for this too I guess. That’ll be a first!) pic.twitter.com/cXD7djveAE
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 12, 2021
Day 2
Day 2 of @fingtamLangs #30dryc Learning Language 30 Day Challenge. Today's question is Where do You Live and What You Like About Living There. Any French people please correct me – I think I said my 'pour' when it should have been 'depuis'? #alwaysbelearning pic.twitter.com/5mdun22ItV
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 13, 2021
Day 3
Day 3 of 30 Day Challenge #learningoutloud Third question of @fingtamLangs #30dryc “What other languages do you speak or want to speak?” (I’m noticing how slow I’m speaking in French thinking of sentence structure in my head before I say it). pic.twitter.com/FfolPVUpjG
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 13, 2021
Day 4
Day 4 of 30 Day Speak the Language You're Learning Challenge #30DRYC Q: Have you travelled or where would you like to travel? For French speakers, can you please provide me with feedback as to whether I said it correctly? Merci beaucoup! ?? pic.twitter.com/L4rI0wmGWA
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 15, 2021
Day 5
Day 5 of the #30DRYC Learning Language Challenge where you respond to a question in the language you are learning and seek feedback from your network (who speak the language obvs). Today's question: What dialect are you learning? Me, I'd hope that I'm actually speaking French!? pic.twitter.com/TuSWkn3Cgp
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 16, 2021
Day 6
Day 6 of 30 of the @fingtamLangs #30DRYC and today's question is: Describe your favourite hobby in the language you're learning. Please, any feedback about my sentence structure and vocab greatly appreciated. #learningoutloud ??? pic.twitter.com/JLX91wMdED
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 17, 2021
Day 7
Day 7 of the 30 Day Learning Challenge where you respond to a question and respond in the language you are learning. Today I WASTED GOOD WINE! The question is What Music Do You Listen to? #Indochine of course! pic.twitter.com/PBYb1IseeO
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 18, 2021
Day 8
Day 8 of the 30 Day Learning Language Challenge #30DRYC. Q: How do you improve your speaking skills in target language? Please provide me feedback on my sentence structure, pronunciation and grammar. Merci! pic.twitter.com/pF4nubB46p
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 19, 2021
Day 9
Day 9 of 30 Day Learning Challenge to speak the language you’re learning. Today the question is: What level do you want to achieve in your target language? I’m noticing I’m getting faster & more confident. Happy with progress. Thank you to my PLN for helping me. ?? pic.twitter.com/ZRgfef2IJe
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 20, 2021
Day 10
Today is the 10th day of #30dryc learning day challenge to speak in your target language. Q: What is your dream job? French speakers, how do you say “I manage a community?” Feedback appreciated. It’s hard with little kids about. pic.twitter.com/GPEIZlrP1k
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 21, 2021
Day 11
Day 11 of the 30 day Speak your Target Language Challenge #30DRYC by @fingtamLangs Today’s question: Your most embarrassing language moment. Please provide feedback!! pic.twitter.com/OAPXTJutuh
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 22, 2021
Day 12
Okay Day 12 of 30 for the @fingtamLangs 30 Day Speak Your Target Language challenge. Heading towards HALF WAY MARK!! I pondered whether I should just stop this. Should I? Should I keep going? Oui ou non?
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 23, 2021
Q: "How do you learn French, class or self-taught?" #30DRYC pic.twitter.com/wI88JXO0Dr
Day 13
Day 13 of the 30 Day #30DRYC Speak your Target Language Learning Challenge. Please, if there are any French speakers out there, provide any feedback regarding my pronunciation. Learning a language is a slow slog but worth it. Mainly, self-taught. Merci beaucoup. pic.twitter.com/wWcLLG2We7
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 24, 2021
Day 14
Day 14 of 30 of the #30DRYC Speak your Target Language Challenge. Today it’s “Choose Your Own Topic”. I speak about how today is Greek Independence Day. I used words “Revolution” & “liberty”. Two words that French people understand too. ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/JRz8nD0dYp
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 25, 2021
Day 15
Day 15 of 30 Day “Speak your Target Language Challenge” OMG. IM HALFWAY!!! You have 15 more days of me hurting your ears. Today the question is “how do you learn to listen in your TL?” Any feedback appreciated. Believe it or not, this is hard doing it publicly. ??? #30dryc pic.twitter.com/D3uMNGsojB
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 26, 2021
Day 16
Day 16 of 30 of the #30DRYC Speak Your Target Language Challenge and today the question is: What is your biggest life goal? Any feedback on pronunciation, syntax, grammar appreciated. pic.twitter.com/ObGQIloq9q
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 26, 2021
Day 17
Day 17 of 30 of the #30DRYC Speak in Your Target Language Challenge. Today's question is: What is the Weather? If you have any feedback for my pronunciation, structure, syntax, anything, it would be greatly appreciated. I didn't feel like doing this today… pic.twitter.com/nkTRSKjP78
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 28, 2021
Day 18
Day 18 of 30 #30DRYC Speak your Target Language and today's question is: What books have you read in your target language? Any feedback from French speakers appreciated. Merci beaucoup! pic.twitter.com/wwTujrEHYY
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 29, 2021
Day 19
Let's quickly get this one out today. Day 19 of #30DRYC learn your target language and the question today to answer is: What keeps you motivated in your target language. Any feedback greatly appreciated, evidemment. pic.twitter.com/mZbTnidy2D
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 30, 2021
Day 20
Day 20 of 30 – 10 days to go – for the #30DRYC Speak your Target Language Challenge. Today's question is: What is Your Biggest Struggle with Language Learning? Any feedback greatly appreciated….!!! Merci beaucoup ??? pic.twitter.com/re5WNo2miF
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) March 31, 2021
Day 21
Day 22
Day 22 of the 30 day learning your target language challenge. It’s hard going and I didn’t prepare. Today was a piss poor effort. I’ll be better tomorrow. Question is how do you improve your reading. 8 days to go before I finish this challenge. Motivation waning. ☹️ #30dryc pic.twitter.com/b9xYQW0LbD
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) April 2, 2021
Day 23
Day 23 of the 30 Day Speak the Language You're Learning Challenge #30DRYC and today's question is: What bothers you the most? pic.twitter.com/naC9RbFcIk
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) April 3, 2021
Day 24
Day 24 of the 30 Day #30dryc learn your target language challenge. A fun one today with saying your favourite tongue twisters in the language you're learning….! pic.twitter.com/pfVIBjGJNd
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) April 3, 2021
Day 25
Day 25 of 30 of the #30DRYC Speak Your Target Language Challenge. Woo hoo! 5 DAYS TO GO! Today's question is: What was your favourite subject at school and why? Thing is, I struggled with school – always studying hard and yet always a C grade student. pic.twitter.com/uQyoaqIvGc
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) April 5, 2021
Day 26
Day 26 of 30 day #30DRYC Learning Challenge to speak your target language. The question today is: Have You Visited the Country of the Language You are Learning? pic.twitter.com/mymTekc54n
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) April 6, 2021
Day 27
Day 27 of 30 of the #30DRYC speak your target language challenge and today's question is: How do you learn new vocabulary? Any feedback appreciated. Merci beaucoup…three days to go and this challenge is finished! pic.twitter.com/BhZsgIsVmW
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) April 7, 2021
Day 28
Day 28 of 30 of #30dryc Speak your target language and today’s question is: Choose a topic of your choice. I chose: Qu’est-ce que tu as fait aujourd’hui. You can hazard to guess I did pretty much nothing but sit on my arse on this couch and read books. pic.twitter.com/9CxyBJcFsr
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) April 8, 2021
Day 29
Day 30
OMG. I FINISHED THE 30 DAY CHALLENGE! Day 30 and a BIG thank you to my friend @MeganStrant where we celebrated this with coffee & cake after a long walk! Merci beaucoup to my French speaker network for sending me DMs with feedback, kudos, encouragement & support to keep going. ? pic.twitter.com/Qe1TA7c7ru
— Helen Blunden #AlwaysBeLearning ????? (@ActivateLearn) April 10, 2021
