What's wrong with me?

Hi,  I definitely am quitting now.  I was studying Russian on and off from this program and other programs for about 8 months.  Beginning Level.  About 3 hours a day.

I thought I was making progress, but I guess not.  

I recently signed up for a free group lesson in Russian language for early beginners.  The teacher went so fast my brain exploded within 10 minutes and understood very little.  I could not follow her.  I was confused and not able to process the language. About 10 minutes into the class, I just left the class and logged out.  

I had about 5 notebooks which I filled up with notes and vocabulary etc on Russian language.   But I put all 5 notebooks off my desk and put them near my wood burning stove where I will put them in the fire this winter.

I lost all motivation now. 

If I can't even understand beginning level Russian after 8 months of study, I have no business studying Russian any more as I must be very stupid.  

-Michael

Hi Michael,

Firstly, you are definitely not stupid.

A “free group lesson” is no way to judge your ability. For a teacher, group lessons can be quite challenging as there are often participants with many different levels. If the teacher adjusts speech to the advanced learners in the group, then the less advanced do not understand. If the teacher adjusts to the beginners, the more advanced become bored. So, it’s not a forum be to judging your Russian ability. 

Russian is classed as one of the more difficult languages for English speakers to learn. To become proficient in the language you need 1,100 hours of tuition – with a teacher. But, this shouldn’t discourage you. The key to learning any language is steady, but constant. This is how we get the brain to accept our new langauge. I note that you said you were studying “on and off” – this can defeat the purpose. It’s better to do 30 minutes each day, without fail, than 3 or 4 hours once a week, for example.

By studying with Rocket Languages, or other beginners courses, you will recognise the topics covered, if you try speaking with a Russian person, but if other topics pop up then it is natural that you would not understand. This is just part of the process and absolutely no reflection on your learning ability.

I hope this gives you the confidence to keep learning – good things take time.