What Are You Willing to Sacrifice to Learn a Language?

Every September, the rentrée brings fresh energy. People decide to take on new projects—learn a language, join a gym, change careers. But here’s the hard truth: motivation isn’t enough. To make real progress, you need to make space. And making space means sacrifice.

So the question becomes: What are you willing to sacrifice to learn English or French?

The Myth of Effortless Progress

We often imagine that learning a language can slide smoothly into our existing lives. A few minutes on an app, a podcast here and there, and fluency will just… arrive. But it doesn’t. Real progress requires effort, and effort almost always means sacrifice. If you’re not giving something up, you’re probably not moving forward.

My Story: Learning French

When I first arrived in France from Texas, I knew my challenge wasn’t just grammar or vocabulary. It was people. Everyone wanted to speak English to me. And for them, it was easier.

My sacrifice was simple but tough: I refused. Every time someone spoke to me in English, I responded in French. It wasn’t always comfortable, but it forced me to stay in the language.

There were other sacrifices, too. It wasn’t obvious for a Texan to come and live in France, but I searched for solutions to every obstacle. I also knew I needed immersion, so I joined

associations—sometimes around causes I cared about, sometimes around sports. Each time, I gave up comfort and familiarity for something harder but more valuable: daily life in French.

My Story: Health and the Gym

Sacrifice hasn’t only been part of my language journey—it’s been central to my health as well. I live with chronic health issues, and I knew I needed to exercise regularly. But I wasn’t a fan of individual sports, and going to the gym felt like a chore.

It was easy to find excuses: I don’t have time, I’ll start tomorrow, I’m too tired. For years, those excuses ruled, and my health declined.

The turning point came when I finally accepted that I had to sacrifice. I gave up the excuses, and I gave up certain leisure time. I set challenges—first one week, then one month—and sought out resources: a personal coach, doctors, mentors. Only when I made those sacrifices did I start to see progress.

Practical Advice for Language Learners

The same principle applies to English or French. If you are following one of my English courses with CPF in Vincennes, you will soon discover that progress comes when you carve out regular time for practice.

If you are using my E-learning tools or joining my sessions for private tutoring in English, the key is not just showing up—it’s making sacrifices in your daily routine to keep your goal in focus.

Sometimes this means choosing to do your online activities over another activity, or committing to an English course in Vincennes even when your schedule feels packed. These small but steady sacrifices are what turn a project into a real success.

Sacrifice is not just about losing something. It’s proof of how important your goal is.

At the rentrée, everyone feels motivated. But the ones who will succeed are the ones who clear space, who sacrifice comfort, who make the language a true priority.

As an English teacher in Vincennes, I see this every day: my students who succeed are the ones who make a conscious choice to prioritize learning.

So ask yourself: If you’re not willing to sacrifice something, is the goal really important to you?