タイトル：最適な勉強法とは？

新しいスキルを習得しようとする時、多くの人が「どの方法が最適か？」だけでなく、「自分に一番合う方法は何か？」に悩むのではないでしょうか。その過程で、成功したり、あと一歩で達成できたり、時には失敗して諦めたりと、様々な経験を積みます。

しかし、なぜあるものは成功し、あるものは諦めてしまうのでしょうか？以前の記事でも触れましたが、その理由の一つには、「強い動機」が挙げられます。例えば、「このスキルを習得しないと未来のチャンスを逃すかもしれない」（恐怖からの規律）や、「これを身につければこんな自分になれるかもしれない！」（モチベーション）といった理由です。

私はこれまで、英語、プログラミング、武道といった分野で様々な指導方法を試してきました。成果が出る方法もあれば、そうでないものもありました。面白いことに、ある方法が特定の時期には効果が出なくても、数ヶ月後には同じ方法で効果を発揮することもあります。なぜ同じ人に同じ方法が時期によって違う結果をもたらすのでしょう？

一見、「学習者のレベルの問題では？」と思うかもしれません。しかし、私はその時のレベルに合わせた方法を慎重に選んでいます。それでも結果が異なるのです。

例えば、『Speak English Like an American』という本を使って日常のイディオムを教えたケースがあります。最初は興味を持ってくれても、数章進むと「これって本当に役立つの？」と疑問を抱き、関心が薄れることがあります。その場合、別の方法を試し、時間を置いてから再度その本に戻ると、以前より効果的に感じることがあります。

この現象の背景には、単なるスキルだけでなく、タイミング、モチベーション、ライフスタイルなど、学習に影響を与える要素が複雑に絡み合っています。そして、こういった理由から、以下のような思考に陥りがちです：

• 方法を頻繁に変える：「やっぱり自分には向いてないんだ…」
• 1つの方法に固執する：「もう飽きたけど続けなきゃ…」
• 他人の意見を盲信する：「他の人には効果的でも、自分にはダメなのかも…」

これらの考え方は危険です。最悪の場合、目標や夢そのものを諦めてしまうことに繋がります。

しかし、私が経験から学んだのは、柔軟性を持つことの大切さです。学習方法を変えることで、モチベーションや楽しさ、創造性を保つことができます。これがポジティブな学習体験を生む秘訣です。

実践的な学習法：私が言語を学んだ方法

ここからは、私自身が言語を学び始めた時に実践して効果があった方法をご紹介します。

フレーズで学ぶ

まず、英語から日本語に翻訳しようとせず、フレーズが生み出す結果に焦点を当てました。例えば：

「何々駅に行きたいんですけど。」
このフレーズを使うと、相手は駅の住所や道順を教えてくれます。最初から正確な意味を知る必要はありません。そのフレーズを使うことで得られる結果が重要なのです。

何度も使ううちに、その構造が気になり始めました：

• 行く：行くという意味
• 行きたい：「行きたい」と伝えたい時に使う

そこから、「食べたい」「見たい」といった他の動詞も試すようになりました。

ポイントは、フレーズを使いながら自然に学ぶことです。基礎がしっかりしていれば、その後の応用がスムーズにいきます。

ミスを恐れない

言語は完全無欠ではありません。ネイティブスピーカーですら時々言葉を誤解しますよね。

「完璧じゃないと話しちゃダメ」なんて思わなくていいんです。大切なのは伝えようとする努力。完璧じゃなくても、相手に意味が伝わればそれで十分です。

自分の努力を誇りに思う

特に日本では、第二言語で話すこと自体が大きな挑戦です。万が一、誰かがあなたの英語を馬鹿にしたり、理解しようとしなかったりしても、それは相手の問題です。

ほとんどの人は、あなたの努力を嬉しく思うはずです。だからこそ、自信を持って言語学習に取り組んでください。

まとめ

私自身の経験から言えることは、どんな方法でも「続けること」と「楽しむこと」が重要だということです。ミスを恐れず、自分に合った方法を見つけて試行錯誤を続けてみてください。

来週は、会話中にすべてを理解できなくても、話を続けるためのコツをご紹介します！どうぞお楽しみに。

Title: What’s the Best Way to Study?

When it comes to acquiring new skills, we often struggle to find not just the best method, but the method that best suits us. Throughout this journey, we typically encounter a series of steps: sometimes we succeed and reach our goal, sometimes we almost get there, and other times we fail and give up.

But how can we distinguish between the things we’ve succeeded at and the things we’ve given up on? As I’ve mentioned in a previous article, having a strong enough reason—like the fear of missing out on future opportunities if we don’t learn a skill (discipline through fear), or envisioning how capable we could become if we do (motivation)—can be crucial.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with various teaching methods in English, programming, and martial arts to enhance my students’ learning experiences. Some methods have led to progress, while others have not. Curiously, a specific approach might fail at one time but succeed months later for the same individual, or vice versa. This variability can be surprising: how can the same method work differently over time for the same person?

You might think it’s about the student’s level, but I am meticulous about matching methods to the student’s current abilities. Take, for instance, the book Speak English Like an American, which teaches daily idioms. Initially, it may engage a student, but interest can wane after a few chapters, leading to doubts about its usefulness. Sometimes, after switching to another method and returning later, students find the book more effective.

This phenomenon isn’t just about skill—it’s also about timing, motivation, and lifestyle, all of which play significant roles in how we respond to different study methods. Often, we abandon our studies due to rigid adherence to a particular method, like:

• Switching too often: “Maybe I’m just looking for an excuse to quit because I’m not smart enough at something like English.”
• Sticking too rigidly to one approach: This can lead to resentment of the subject when you force yourself to keep going despite boredom.
• Following others’ advice without considering personal fit: “If it’s not working for me but works for others, maybe I’m just not cut out for this.”

Such mindsets are dangerous—they can lead to abandoning your goals and dreams. However, my experience has taught me that it’s perfectly okay to adapt your methods. Being flexible helps maintain motivation, enjoyment, and creativity, which are crucial for a positive learning journey.

What’s the Best Way to Study?

When it comes to learning new skills, the challenge isn’t just finding the best method—it’s finding the one that works best for you. Along the way, we all experience a mix of outcomes: sometimes we succeed, sometimes we almost succeed, and sometimes we fail and give up.

But how can we tell the difference between what we’ve mastered and what we’ve left behind? As I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, having a strong enough reason to continue—whether it’s fear of missing out on opportunities or excitement about future possibilities—can make all the difference.

Why the Right Method Matters

Over the years, I’ve experimented with different teaching methods across various fields: English, programming, and martial arts. Some methods clicked immediately, while others didn’t work at all. What surprised me was how the same approach could work wonders for someone at one time but fail miserably later. Timing, motivation, and lifestyle play a huge role in how we respond to learning strategies.

Common Mindsets That Hurt Progress

Here are a few thought patterns that can derail your learning journey:

• Switching too often:
  “Maybe I’m just looking for an excuse to quit because I’m not smart enough to learn this.”

• Sticking to one method too long:
  Forcing yourself to continue despite boredom can make you resent the subject.

• Relying too much on others’ advice:
  “If this works for others but not me, maybe I’m not cut out for this.”

These mindsets can lead to giving up on your goals. My experience has taught me that it’s okay to adapt your approach. Flexibility keeps your motivation and creativity alive, which is essential for a positive learning experience.

My Approach to Language Learning

Here are some practical methods that worked for me when I started learning languages.

1. Learn Through Phrases, Not Translations

Instead of translating phrases word-for-word, I focused on what those phrases achieved in real-life situations. For example:
“何々駅に行きたいんですけど。”
When I used this phrase, people immediately responded with directions or the station’s location. I didn’t need to know the exact English translation at first—it just worked.

After using it several times, I started breaking it down:

• 行く means “to go.”
• 行きたい means “I want to go.”

This inspired me to try other verbs like 食べたい (“I want to eat”) or 見たい (“I want to see”).

Why It Works

Think of it like building a house: you need the structure before adding the details. Starting with details is like trying to build the roof before laying the foundation.

2. Don’t Fear Mistakes

Language is messy, even for native speakers. Misunderstandings happen all the time—that’s why courts exist! Don’t aim for perfection; aim for connection.

• In your native language: Do you know every word? Probably not. And that’s okay!
• In conversations: People rarely notice your mistakes; they focus on your effort and message.

When I encourage my students to “just say something,” they’re usually correct enough to be understood. Mistakes don’t matter—communication does.

3. Embrace Effort, Ignore Criticism

Speaking a second language, especially in a place like Japan, takes courage. If someone mocks your English or pretends not to understand, that’s on them—not you.

Imagine visiting another country and hearing a foreigner attempt broken Japanese. Would you respond, “あなたの日本語が下手すぎてわかりません！” (“Your Japanese is so bad, I can’t understand you!”)? Of course not. Most people appreciate the effort.

Your kindness and willingness to communicate matter far more than perfection.

Final Thoughts

At the start of my language learning journey, I focused on using phrases first and analyzing them later. Even when I made mistakes, I kept experimenting and asking questions when I didn’t understand something.

Next week, I’ll share tips on how to keep conversations flowing—even when you don’t understand everything. Stay tuned!

Remember, it’s not about finding the “perfect” method—it’s about staying consistent and enjoying the process.