157: Keeping the language alive after returning home

Libby asks: "I've recently returned home after a year in Germany. How can I keep up my German?" In this episode: It's normal for your language to go through "seasons" My Thailand experience, how I feel about it now, and why I'm not worried How I learnt Spanish and Portuguese... and didn't use them for years! The maturing of my Japanese Having lived abroad and experienced what it's like to live a language, going back to studying might feel wrong to you You're doing all the right things... reading, speaking etc So try to answer the question: "What role does German play in my life now?" A new language ultimately exists to use it Personally, I don't study my older languages much (if at all). I just use them. What I do to keep my languages alive: Actively search out friends using language exchange sites Attend meetups Sign up to cultural activities Travel to the country Invent language-related projects to keep the language in my attention Run my own Meetup in London Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Goethe Institut USA Events ConversationExchange.com MyLanguageExchange.com Meetup.com Language conferences - see episode 156! Today's Quote: “The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.” - Norman Rockwell Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply visit:http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest review and rating of the podcast on iTunes (click here to do that) iTunes reviews in particular really help the rankings of the podcast and help me to reach other aspiring language learners out there! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!