Excellent piece, Margaret! I'm delighted to see you're writing on Substack. Serendipitously, I was working on a piece on learning this week and published it today. So I highlighted your newsletter and quoted you. Keep up the awesome work.
I think that in learning any new skill, it is helpful to have a growth mindset – be willing to make mistakes, understand that there will be setbacks, mix a little theory with a lot of practice and keep going!
I really relate to this. I relish any opportunity to speak Italian and leap into social situations I never would in English when I hear it spoken. I love the shop assistant story and so great to have the confidence to stick to the second language even when the easy option is there - fake it till you make it really works. Also absolutely love Lupin, it's brilliant, makes me want to improve my French too.
And most humans are generally appreciative and supportive when you make an effort. I was just in Italy and had the most amazing interactions by simply trying (and admittedly failing) to speak Italian. Do you have any good Italian shows on Netflix to recommend? I've seen both Lidia Poet and An Astrological Guide to Broken Hearts - both were so good!
Excellent piece, Margaret! I'm delighted to see you're writing on Substack. Serendipitously, I was working on a piece on learning this week and published it today. So I highlighted your newsletter and quoted you. Keep up the awesome work.
https://talkingbigideas.substack.com/p/the-best-way-to-remember-what-you
Thanks Bob! I love this piece. Perfect timing!
I think that in learning any new skill, it is helpful to have a growth mindset – be willing to make mistakes, understand that there will be setbacks, mix a little theory with a lot of practice and keep going!
C’est exact!
I really relate to this. I relish any opportunity to speak Italian and leap into social situations I never would in English when I hear it spoken. I love the shop assistant story and so great to have the confidence to stick to the second language even when the easy option is there - fake it till you make it really works. Also absolutely love Lupin, it's brilliant, makes me want to improve my French too.
And most humans are generally appreciative and supportive when you make an effort. I was just in Italy and had the most amazing interactions by simply trying (and admittedly failing) to speak Italian. Do you have any good Italian shows on Netflix to recommend? I've seen both Lidia Poet and An Astrological Guide to Broken Hearts - both were so good!