Get out of your comfort level

Taking risks

Why do children learn faster than adults? Many people say it is because they don't have so many obstacles to get in the way of learning. It is hard for anyone to learn a new thing if they don't change what they have been doing. If you keep doing what you have done in the past then how can you learn something new? In other countries they have children start to learn English at a young age and starting at 6th grade they have they students learn how to write in English and learn the grammar. They give grammar tests.
They give spelling tests.

Jousting

 They test students and grade them on the mechanics of English. The children spend 6 years studying English and taking English tests, but never learn English ... just learn how to take tests. They come to the USA and still want to do the same here as they do in their country. They spend five hours a day in a classroom studying how to pass a test in their class. After class they go home where they live with someone that speaks their native language and watch tv in their native language and go to stores with people that speak their native language.

Broadsword fighting

When I ask how I can help them they tell me I can teach them grammar. I ask how that will help and they say that is what is needed to learn English. I ask if they want to go to the Renaissance Faire with me and they say no because they much study and they have never been to a Renaissance Faire before. I tell they they need to do something they haven't done before and they say it isn't comfortable for them. I ask them how that comfort thing is working for them. They acknowledge that they haven't been successful yet, but they need to know more grammar!

Thai maiden

If you keep doing the same thing then how will you improve? If you want to improve your chess game you should play with someone more difficult. If you want to improve your English you need to take a risk and try something new. If you want to learn to drive then quit driving in a circle around the parking lot and drive on the freeway. Do something that makes you uncomfortable and do it until you feel comfortable doing it. Then change it up and find something that is not easy and do it until it is easy. Life is always changing. If it doesn't change then it gets boring and you quit growing. LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE, live it!!

Swords on horseback!