Posts tagged " attitude "

My #1 antidote for frustration while learning

November 8th, 2016 Posted by Blog No Comment yet

I have yet to meet a single person who hasn’t felt frustration when it comes to learning… anything, but this is especially relevant for those learning languages with big reputations… like Finnish.

So today I made you a little video to help move you forward when you get stuck in a big puddle of frustration. Because ultimately, if you don’t learn to recognize and deal with frustration… you’ll stay there. So here ya go!

Real reason many don’t Learn Finnish (& not what you think)

April 13th, 2015 Posted by Language, Life 2 comments

Awhile back, I was talking with one of my students from the Finnish Language Group Program about how English in Finland gets to be so comfortable, that it’s easy to get stuck just speaking English.

Live and savour the now!

January 21st, 2014 Posted by Local Discovery 4 comments

When asking people what their language-related goals are, you might get replies such as the following:
“I want to understand what’s going on around me. I want to be fluent. I want to use the language at work.
I want to be able to speak the language with my children and in-laws.”

My perspective on the exercise is the following: if you spend time thinking about what you want, great. But understanding what it takes to get there is a little different. This makes up the difference between “it would be nice to…” and “I’m willing to do [blank] to get [blank]” …

Is your glass half full?

January 6th, 2014 Posted by Local Discovery 2 comments

The first time I picked up a Finnish book, I decided I would read the whole first page. It was 2009, I knew about a dozen Finnish words, and the only ones I understood from that page were ‘on’ (is) and ‘yö’ (night). And on it went from there! It’s easy to get boggled down in the glass half empty mind-set…

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Hi! I’m Irina.

I’m a multibelonger to Finland, Canada and Romania, without ONE language or culture to call my own – I have several. My intention is to be present where I am and find inner peace and harmony where ever life takes me. I’m embracing the gems of the ongoing cultural and linguistic transition which is my life and hope to inspire others interested in doing the same. Click here to find out more!