Falling in Love with Learning: How Passion Fuels Progress
Falling in Love with Learning: How Passion Fuels Progress
When I started this job, I thought I had a solid grasp of English—I mean, it’s my native language! But suddenly, I had to revisit grammar rules I hadn’t consciously thought about in years. Why do we say “I have been” instead of “I have gone” ? Why does English borrow so many words from French? The deeper I went, the more I realized how fascinating language truly is. This curiosity led me to explore etymology—the history of words—and, before I knew it, I had completely fallen in love with the subject.
The same thing happens when learning a new language: at first, it might feel like a chore, but once you find something that sparks your interest, everything changes.
English: A Language of Borrowed Words
One of the things I love about English is how it’s a patchwork of different influences. Did you know that around 30% of English vocabulary comes from French? That’s why so many words like restaurant, déjà vu, and rendezvous feel familiar to French speakers. And let’s not forget Latin and Old Norse! When you say window, you’re actually using a word from Old Norse (vindauga, meaning “wind eye”).
Even modern slang has fascinating origins. Take spam, for example—did you know it comes from a 1970s Monty Python sketch about canned meat?
How This Relates to Learning English
So what does this have to do with improving your English? Simple: the more you understand the why behind words and expressions, the easier they are to remember. Instead of memorizing vocabulary lists, try learning the stories behind words. Find connections between English and your native language. Make learning a game instead of a task.
Fall in Love with the Process
If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to anyone trying to improve their English, it’s this: don’t just study the language—get curious about it. Watch a film and note interesting expressions. Read an article and look up the origin of a word that catches your eye. Have fun with it. The more you enjoy the journey, the easier it becomes.
So, whether you’re working on your English for personal or professional reasons, try to find something about it that sparks your interest. You never know—it might just lead you to a whole new passion.
