Motivation Monday

I've occasionally posted motivational videos to help learners.

See these blog posts or these videos for some inspiration for students! Also all my motivation references. However, best of all, watch this video with your students and show them something that will motivate them. 

This is not just a lesson on the usual, "slow and steady wins the race". Notice that down the home stretch Wottle doesn't just go slow and steady - he actually is going "hot and hotter". 

Probably the only thing I really know is running. I've done it so much, so alone and by myself, mile upon mile over decades. Teaching, I'm a pretender, I make it up. With running, there is no improvisation, only what is then and now. No bla bla and self redefining, justification. Just what is foot after foot stroke. It is a self "ish" thing but in that loneliness, so true and real. 

It taught me that the best in life and also in language learning are NOT the optimists. Not the romantics, the ones who go out fast believing, always believing that it will continue like this forever, that their legs will never give in, their motivation will never fail. No. Life breaks them. Success in endurance running and language learning goes to the hard core realists. The ones who bend. They start at one sane speed and then speed up. They have no optimism but take from what they do now to gain more later. They grow, they don't hope or expect. There is no reaching or heaven - only the food of now. 

I won't drone on, the video says it so well. Lets tell our students to keep at it. Start slow and build. Soon the language will be their own and they'll have legs that will keep them going right through to victory and the finish line. 

If you enjoyed this, you'll like this video! My favorite race of all time.