“if you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I’ve noticed something interesting.
People who are fit and people who are not fit talk about different things.
People in the first group talk about hiking a beautiful trail, or playing football with friends, or feeling great after their morning yoga routine.
People in the second group talk about calories and counting steps and say “I need to go to the gym.”
I’ve noticed something similar with English students.
Group one talks about grammar rules and getting the next certification.
Group two says, “Have you watch the new show on Netflix yet? It’s terrific!”
These are the two types of motivation: push and pull.
I say, as an adult, your only hope is pull motivation.
If no one is making you improve…
Discipline will fail.
Will power will run out.
You will get busy, bored or distracted.
So what about you?
Which group are you in?
Does English push you or pull you?
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Let me help you with the Saint-Exupery quote above.
drum up – gather
yearn — want, desire
vast — very big
In other words, give them a strong, emotional reason to build the ship.
Give them motivation that pulls, not pushes.
I like this quote. Now I read first time read in English. You are right. I think I must change a little to like much better to read interesting stories. Because in all my life i was better in grammar than in literature ( in Hungarian and Romanian languages ).
No doubt, English really pull me. Especially if it can be learned stress-free. After a one-month self-study course, I discovered that I can even think in English. Many, many thanks, Mr.Vig!
Exellent! Glad to hear it!
I like very much the quote and the comparison you found to explain the difference between English learners. Although, in my opinion, we need both kinds of motivation for the best results. I struggle to improve my English fluency and I appreciate the V vitamin a lot. They really pull me toward learning English.
Yes, I absolutely agree with you. To be pull person is ceartinly better in any ocassion in life .
I think that I belong to second grup….
I’m happy,I’m in group one…