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

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