I am NOT a quitter. But Tuesday I did. I quit my Russian language class.
I was getting pretty overwhelmed with the grammar – too many cases and endings. Did you know that there are 12 different words to say “my” in Russian? And that is just the beginning.
On top of it all, I wasn’t learning the words I needed for everyday life – or not remembering enough of them in the panic to get homework done and more rules used. And I tend to be shy talking if I’m not sure how to say what I want to. Hence, not speaking enough in class. It would have been easier, I think, to be in a group.
So, I feel bad about quitting…. and yet, it’s like I had a big Sakhalin brown bear on my back, and now he is gone. I have other ways of learning. – My Russian101 pod casts and my Earworms app are based on useful dialogue.
And television. I spend Tuesday watching the Olympics in Russian, and I learned a new word – молодец (maladitz).
It means “well done”! I think that is a good start.
wanderingquilter 
Hi Kathi:
Don’t feel badly about stopping the language lessons. You did your best. It almost sounds like Latin with the cases and declensions. Not something I miss a lot I must confess. Now you have more time for quilting. Are you still getting lots of snow? ? North America sure is!
We haven’t had a lot of snow this year at all….. some light, fluffy stuff but no storms since New Years Day. And yes – I do have time to quilt, and not feel guilty about it.
I know how you feel, encounter the same on my one to one course of Danish and ended up quitting! It’s easier to learn in a group cause you learn from others mistakes and silly answers…. More every day vocabulary will serve you better! So close that door and move on ! 👍
Right on. Still feels funny to quit though. But having others talking in class would have made me do likewise.
Right. Now onto making those silly mistakes.
Don’t you dare feel bad! You tried, and that class was not for you. We all have different ways of learning – and in all honesty Kathi, if you read any of the new research on learning a second language they all say grammar should come way down the track – not at the beginning! You were not looking to be able to write the next Tolstoy style book in Russian – you want to be able to talk to people, the grammar will come naturally as you learn. I think you should feel very proud of yourself that you even tried, and that you have already leaned so much. It’s time to pat yourself on the back for taking a stand 🙂
Thanks, Dee, for the confirmation and encouragement. Now I know enough of the structure of the language to recognize what I am trying to say, and understand.
I guess Tolstoy doesn’t have to worry about completion.
My kids consider—–“fat quarters”, “jelly rolls”, “batiks”, “fussy cut”‘ “”log cabin”, “half square triangles”, etc……..a very foreign language! I find you very conversant. Life is too short-enjoy it how you like.
I hadn’t thought of adding “Quiltese” to my list of languages attempted. Thanks.
Good JOb!! Well Done. . . Arabic, Norwegian, Russian, Canadian. . . more than most people!!!
Hi Kathi
Don’t stress I don’t speak English properly! What about another language!
Love
Nikki
ThNks, Nikki. Was a bit stressed at first, but am really glad to have a more relaxed life and time to learn what I need to learn.
Well Kathi I guess Finnish will not be the next language you’ll learn… check out how many word they have just for dog (http://www.vanhamoto.net/2013/11/off-topic-what-do-you-mean-finnish-is.html) 😀
I feel like quitting Chinese almost every week too (those tones get me in trouble) then I remember I’m actually having fun with my teacher. Not sure who learns more about the other one culture though :-). But I know it won’t last I think I took only 1 year (maybe 1.5 at the most) of class the last time I was here.
Good luck, C.
Don’t even want to think about it, Celine. I still want to learn Russian, but I need to know more words and conversation before I get so heavily into the grammar. My son-in-law and his family speak Cantonese, so I understand what you are up against. I am hoping to find some people to study with as I know several that are just beginning the book I was working in. Maybe in a group I will not feel so under-the-gun. Good luck with your studies. K