on being a 'good' student

Being a student is not easy...if one has an irregular schedule, they have to remember their scheduled lesson...and do not forget homework, and self-study!

For some reason, when we have a private teacher we expect to magically and drastically improve our language skills. This, however, is often not the case...unless one invests much time, effort, and energy in studying on their own. An hour with the teacher is just practice, reinforcement, asking and clarifying grammar points, live listening practice...the rest is up to the student.

This took me years to learn. Sometimes my only Japanese studying for the week was that one hour with my teacher. As one would expect, my progress came steadily but slowly...think inchworm pace. Realistically speaking it takes a wide variety of elements to improve one's language proficiency - watching dramas, reading Japanese mags, delving into Japanese culture via newspaper/cultural arts performances/foods, and so on.

Finally, one needs motivation! Without it one cannot make much progress. I can often see when a student has lost motivation and sometimes wonder how I can motivate them. In the end, it is often up to them to get back on track and aim for their goal. My motivation? Better communication with my fiance, friends, and easier living in Japan esp. if and when I have a child. That is heavy motivation all right.

Are you learning a language? What is your goal or motivation to study?