This document outlines three keys to improving language learning: 1. Controlling procrastination by understanding its causes, avoiding distractions, using tools like the Pomodoro technique, accepting breaks, and creating study habits. 2. Creating good study habits by starting small, planning cues/routines/rewards, and using accountability partners. 3. Practicing interleaving by mixing up learning methods, testing yourself, engaging with media in the target language, and rewarding yourself creatively.

1. 3 KEYS TO IMPROVE
YOUR LANGUAGE
LEARNINGBy Roser Aguirre Molins

2. In this presentation I’ll go through three
key points that I believe are essential in
order to improve your language learning.

3. 1. HOW TO CONTROL PROCRASTINATION

4. UNDERSTAND HOW PROCRASTINATION
WORKS
1. We procrastinate about things that make us
uncomfortable.
2. We funnel our attention onto a more pleasant task
3. We feel happier (temporarily).
HOW TO CONTROL PROCRASTINATION

5. HOW TO CONTROL PROCRASTINATION
1. Try to find a quiet place to study.
2. Turn off notifications (better: turn off phone and
internet)
3. Tell family and friends you need to study
Avoid distractions
HOW TO CONTROL PROCRASTINATION

6. HOW TO CONTROL PROCRASTINATION
1. Use the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of focused work, 5
minutes’ break.
2. If you need your PC and/or internet, use programs like
Selfcontrol and Freedom to prevent you from using
distracting sites.
Use tools
HOW TO CONTROL PROCRASTINATION

7. ACCEPT IT
1. If you can’t focus, take a break: go for a walk, to the gym, to some
housework or talk to a friend.
2. Don’t use up all your willpower, it uses a lot of neural resources. It
shouldn’t be used to fight procrastination unless absolutely
necessary.
Ø Instead, create habits.
HOW TO CONTROL PROCRASTINATION

8. 2. CREATE HABITS

9. START SMALL
1. Start with small chunks of studying time, don’t overwhelm yourself.
2. Start by creating good sleep and exercise habits, as they will help
keep your brain clean and healthy.
2. CREATE HABITS

10. PLAN YOUR HABIT
1. Cue: The trigger (e.g. have a space only for studying and keep all your
material ready there, or always study after breakfast).
2. Routine: How your brain reacts to the cue (e.g. getting started).
3. Reward: Once the routine has been done (e.g. read some fiction, go for a
walk, prepare some tea, play with your pet, etc.).
4. Belief: What you need to change in order to change a habit, your why (e.g.
studying French everyday will allow me to get by when I visit Paris).
5.
2. CREATE HABITS

11. USE ACCOUNTABILITY
1. Accountability is very useful when creating a habit, as it motivates us to keep
going even when we find it especially hard.
2. Find someone to keep you accountable or use the Coach app to have someone
to “report to” every day.
3. Once you reach a certain amount of days, you will notice that you don’t have
to perform a habit, but that the habit is part of who you are and what you
do.
4.
2. CREATE HABITS

12. 3. INTERLEAVING

13. MIX UP YOUR LEARNING
1. Use recall when memorising vocabulary or grammar rules. Test yourself.
2. Try learning with other speakers.
3. Use apps such as Duolingo (language learning as a game), Anki (spaced
repetition for vocabulary learning) or Memrise (mnemonics).
4. Watch films, read books or comics in your target language.
5.
3. INTERLEAVING

14. REWARD AND CREATIVITY
1. Have a big reward that also implies improving your language skill: a short visit
to a country where your language is spoken.
2. By using the Interleaving approach, not only your language learning will get
better, but also you will increase your creativity.
3.
3. INTERLEAVING

15. HOW TO IMPROVE LANGUAGE LEARNING
Control
procrastination
• Understand its chemistry.
• How to control it
• Avoid distractions
• Use tools
• Accept it
Create good
habits
• Start small
• Plan your habit
• Use accountability
Practice
interleaving
• Try different
methods
• Increase
your
creativity

16. GOOD LUCK!