Welcome back to Podcast and Chill, your favorite spot to relax and learn English.

And as always, I'm joined by the brilliant Gwen.

How's it going, Gwen?

I'm good, Leo.

But why do you always introduce me like I'm your boss?

Well, you do have that boss energy.

Anyway, let's talk about today's episode.

Okay, but before that, Leo, why are you smiling like that?

Oh, nothing.

I just thought of how you always call me childish.

Because you are.

You laugh at your own jokes, Leo.

Well, being like a baby isn't bad at all.

Did you know there's even a method for learning languages called learning like a baby?

That's true.

Babies learn naturally by listening, imitating, and interacting.

Exactly.

Babies are incredible learners.

But here's a question.

Can we use this method to learn English as adults?

That's a great point, Leo.

Today, we'll explore if and how this natural way of learning can help us improve our English skills.

And to all our listeners out there, we've got practical tips and examples ready for you.

Don't forget to grab the free PDF in the description below to follow along with today's episode.

So sit back, relax, and let's answer that question together.

Can we really learn English like...

All right, Gwen.

Let's talk about why people feel like giving up and how to keep going.

Sure, Leo.

Let's start with the importance of persistence.

Persistence is what separates people who reach their goals from those who don't.

I completely agree.

Did you know there's a study from the University of Pennsylvania?

It found successful people often fail more times than others.

That's because they don't let failure stop them.

Instead, they learn from it and keep trying.

Exactly, Leo.

Failure is just a stepping stone.

When we fail, we learn what doesn't work, which helps us improve.

So instead of thinking, I failed, we should say, I learned something new today.

That's a great mindset to have.

Another way to keep going is by setting small, achievable goals.

That's so true.

Sometimes big goals feel overwhelming, and that makes people want to quit.

Exactly.

For example, instead of saying, I want to lose 10 kilograms, you could say, I'll go for a 20-minute walk every day.

And when you hit those small goals, it feels so good that you want to keep going. There's a theory called the progress principle.

It says that even small wins can make a big difference in how motivated we feel.

That makes so much sense.

It's like building a staircase.

Each step gets you closer to the top.

Another thing people can do is focus on why they started in the first place.

That's a great point, Gwen.

When we remember our why, it helps us stay strong even when things get tough.

For example, if your goal is to learn English, think about the opportunities it can bring.

Like traveling or getting a better job.

Yes, or connecting with new people from around the world.

And sometimes, it's helpful to find inspiration from others who've been through similar challenges.

That's so true.

I read a story about a marathon runner who trained for years before finally winning a race.

Stories like that remind us that success takes time and effort.

You know, Gwen, many of our listeners subscribe to the Learn English podcast channel because they want to improve their English skills.

Yes, and we can see their hard work in the comments they leave.

We've received hundreds of comments about the challenges they face while learning.

And you know what?

When you feel challenged, it means you're growing.

That's such an important point, Leo.

Growth doesn't happen when things are easy.

It happens when you push through the hard parts.

And we're here to remind you that even on your toughest days, you're doing better than you think.

Remember, every effort you make brings you closer to your goal.

So, to all our listeners out there, don't give up.

Keep going.

Let's go over some useful phrases from today's podcast.

These phrases can help you express yourself better in English.

Push through.

To keep going even when something feels very hard or challenging.

Example.

I wanted to give up, but I decided to push through and finish the project.

Stay on track.

To keep focused and not get distracted from your goal.

Example.

Writing down my tasks helps me stay on track with my goals.

Bounce back.

To recover quickly after a failure or a tough situation.

Example.

Even though I made a mistake, I'm going to bounce back stronger.

Step up.

To take more responsibility or make a greater effort.

Example.

When my team needed help, I decided to step up and take the lead.

Power through.

To keep working hard even when you feel tired or want to stop.

Example.

I powered through my homework even though I was exhausted.

Gwen, which phrase do you think our listeners might find the most useful?

I think push through is really useful because it reminds people to stay determined during tough times.

That's a good point.

I'd say stay on track is also great because it helps with keeping focus on goals.

How about you, listeners?

Which phrase would you like to start using more often?

Let us know in the comments.

Now, let's dive into some discussion questions from today's podcast.

Question one.

What does push through mean and how can it help you in difficult times?

I think it means not giving up when things are hard. It's about finding the strength to keep going even if you feel tired or unsure.

For example, when you're studying for an exam and feel overwhelmed, pushing through helps you finish strong.

Question two.

How can stay on track make your daily routine more effective?

When you stay on track, you're less likely to get distracted.

Exactly.

For instance, writing a to-do list in the morning can help you stay focused throughout the day.

That's a great point.

It's about having a clear direction and knowing what to prioritize.

How about you, listeners?

Which of these phrases do you think you'll use in your daily life?

Leave your answers in the comments.

Let's delve deeper into why persistence matters so much, Gwen.

Sure, Leo.

Persistence is like building a house.

Every brick you lay, no matter how small, gets you closer to your goal.

That's true.

Persistence is about keeping your focus and energy even when it gets tough.

Research from Harvard University shows that people who persist despite challenges are more likely to reach their goals.

That's so inspiring.

It means each small step is a victory.

Exactly.

Failure is not the end.

It's part of the process.

A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that those who view failure as a chance to learn are more successful over time.

That's such a great takeaway.

So, listeners, if you've made mistakes, think of them as lessons, not setbacks.

Another lesson is the power of celebrating small wins.

Right.

Every small achievement helps you see your progress.

Research shows that celebrating progress can boost your motivation and keep you moving forward.

Listeners, take time to recognize even the smallest steps toward your goals.

And let's not forget the importance of self-compassion.

Being too hard on yourself can make it harder to keep going.

Remember, progress doesn't have to be perfect.

It just needs to move you forward.

Focus on the bigger picture, the reason why you started in the first place.

Reflect on your journey and celebrate how far you've already come.

You're right, Gwen.

Sometimes, finding inspiration isn't about famous people.

It can come from the people around us, our friends, family, or even our co-workers.

Absolutely, Leo.

Think about someone who juggles a full-time job while going to school at night.

They may not be famous, but their effort shows us what's possible when you stay committed.

That's so true.

And even within our audience, we've seen amazing stories.

Like the listener who left a comment saying they practice English every day during their lunch break.

That kind of dedication is truly inspiring.

And it's a reminder that persistence isn't about perfection.

It's about progress.

I like that, Gwen.

Progress, not perfection.

Let's also talk about self-compassion.

Because being kind to yourself is so important when you're working toward a goal.

That's a great point.

Sometimes we're our own toughest critics, and that can make the journey even harder. Studies show that people who practice self-compassion are more likely to stick with their goals because they recover faster from setbacks.

That's a great insight.

So, if you stumble, don't beat yourself up.

Instead, treat yourself like you would a good friend.

Encouraging and understanding.

Exactly.

And don't forget to celebrate small wins along the way.

Even just finishing one small task can be a reason to feel proud.

That's so motivating, Gwen.

And I think our listeners can take these ideas and use them in their own lives.

Gwen, when people feel like giving up, asking themselves the right questions can really help.

That's true, Leo.

Self-reflection is a great way to reconnect with your goals.

One important question is, why did I start this journey in the first place?

That's a powerful one.

It helps you remember your initial motivation.

Another great question is, what will I regret if I give up now?

Absolutely.

Thinking about future regret can push you to keep going.

What have I already achieved so far is another one.

That's important, Leo.

Reflecting on your progress reminds you how far you've come.

Here's one I really like.

What small step can I take right now to move forward?

I love that, Gwen.

Focusing on one small action can make the big goal feel less overwhelming.

Another question could be, what can I learn from the challenge I'm facing?

That's great.

Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, right?

And let's not forget, who can I talk to for support or advice?

Yes, talking to a friend, mentor, or family member can give you a fresh perspective and the encouragement you need.

These are all excellent questions, Gwen.

I think they'll really help our listeners get back on track when they feel like giving up.

Let's explore some fresh phrases from today's topic.

Great idea, Leo.

Let's start with, keep moving forward.

Keep moving forward means to continue even when things are tough.

For example, even when I face challenges at work, I kept moving forward and completed the project.

Next, we have, build momentum.

Build momentum means to create energy or progress to keep going.

For example, starting with small tasks in the morning helps me build momentum for the rest of the day.

Another useful phrase is, stay determined.

Stay determined means to keep your focus and not give up no matter what.

For example, I stayed determined to finish my studies even when it got tough.

We can also use, find your why.

Find your why means to understand the reason behind your goals to stay motivated.

For example, I remind myself that I'm learning English to get a better job.

That's my why.

Finally, let's talk about celebrate small wins.

Celebrate small wins means to acknowledge and feel good about the little achievements along the way.

For example, every time I finish a chapter in my English book, I celebrate that small win by treating myself.

Now, let's discuss some questions to help our listeners reflect on today's topic.

Sure, Leo.

First question, what's one small win you've celebrated recently and how did it motivate you to keep going?

That's a great question, Gwen.

Let me share one of mine.

Last week, I finished reading an English book for beginners.

It was challenging, but it motivated me to read more and improve my vocabulary.

That's a great example, Leo.

Celebrating small wins helps us see progress.

Second question, what's your why for chasing your goals?

Why is it meaningful to you?

I'll answer that one, too.