When you start a new German language course, you may be excited and feel like you can learn the language in no time. However, when the third week hits and the newness has worn off, your motivation may deflate. Dealing with a lack of motivation in online courses is normal and can be combated through accountability and diversifying your learning methods.
There are many personal and career benefits of professional German courses. You have to find your ‘why’ and remember it when you hit a wall. In this post, we’ll explore all the ways you can deal with a lack of motivation to achieve your goals.
Why Online Learning Can Be Tricky
Online learning can be isolating, and you’re the only one responsible for your showing up. Screen fatigue can also be a significant issue. Spending more time staring at screens than you already do may lead to burnout.
In addition, there are many more distractions at home. There isn’t a teacher to tell you to put your phone away, and your family or chores may be competing for your attention.
Preventing Declining Motivation
Noticing when you’re hitting a slump in your online course is important. You may start skipping regularly scheduled study sessions, avoid speaking exercises, or question whether you’ll ever be fluent. Recognizing these signs early can help you intervene before you’re too off course. It’s important to shift your mindset and find things to rekindle your drive during these slumps.
Start by celebrating small wins, like learning a new vocabulary word or completing a lesson. You can also reframe your thought process by thinking of mistakes as data, not defeats. Every time you mess up is a time you’re learning and growing. Imagine yourself passing your exams, obtaining your C permit, and speaking confidently in German during your daily life.
Make small commitments to yourself and keep them. For example, spend ten minutes listening to a German podcast or TV show or practicing speaking aloud.
Strategies to Boost Online Learning Motivation
Here are some practical strategies you can use to boost your motivation and help you finish strong:
Create Accountability
- Find a language or study partner.
- Join an online German language group on platforms like Discord or Facebook.
- Share your goals on social media or with your family.
- Schedule live sessions with your online German teacher.
Create Active and Engaging Learning Opportunities
- Switch between reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
- Find a course that gamifies learning with challenges or point systems.
- Watch German TV shows, follow German social media influencers, or listen to German podcasts.
Optimize Your Learning Space
- Designate a study space where you only study.
- Set study times to create a routine.
- Get rid of distractions by putting your phone on airplane mode and closing unnecessary tabs.
Break Goals into Manageable Blocks
- Instead of big goals, aim for small goals like learning ten new words.
- Create weekly goals that feel achievable.
- Track your progress in a journal.
Here are a few quick motivational fixes to try based on how much time you have:
Time | Motivation Booster |
Five minutes | Listen to a German song with lyrics or watch a German social media video. |
Ten minutes | Review flashcards to practice vocabulary. |
Twenty minutes | Write a paragraph about your day in German. |
Thirty minutes | Complete a lesson or have a conversation in German. |
One hour | Watch a German TV show. |
Overcoming Motivational Slumps
Motivation dips are normal when you’re taking an online course. The key is not to let yourself stay low for too long.
Find ways to boost your engagement by setting small goals, finding a study buddy, and remaining committed to your goals. Every fluent speaker has experienced times when they didn’t feel like doing the work, but it didn’t stop them. Germany Academy Zurich is here to help!
