By Sarah Elazar

My husband is from Andorra, a small country located between Spain and France in the Pyrenees mountains. Andorra’s official language is Catalan, though most people also speak Spanish and French. Since my Spanish is decent, I’ve spent years communicating with my husband’s family in this language. This worked well enough, but I always wished I could speak to them in their native tongue.

For a long time, learning Catalan stayed in the category of “things I would like to do someday.”  Like many goals we set as adults, the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life kept getting in the way. However, at the start of 2026, I decided to prioritize this important goal of mine by intentionally incorporating Catalan practice into my routine. Here are a few strategies that helped me finally get started:

• Block Off Time on the Calendar. The first thing I did was schedule time for Catalan in Google Calendar. I decided that from 9-10am every weekday, I would practice. Am I perfect at maintaining this routine? Absolutely not. However, having that time blocked off on my calendar creates a clear opportunity for me to practice.
  
• Prepare Materials Ahead of Time. Gathering my study materials in advance was the next step. I downloaded online workbooks, bookmarked learning resources, and set up several language learning apps. This preparation made a big difference. Instead of spending my practice time figuring out how to learn the language, I could immediately start reviewing vocabulary and completing exercises.
  
• Set up Accountability Mechanisms. Learning alone can be challenging, especially when motivation dips. To hold myself accountable, I found a tutor who I meet with a few times each week. Knowing that someone expects me to show up and practice speaking Catalan keeps me consistent.
  
• Measure Progress in Small Increments. I am nowhere near fluent in Catalan, and that’s okay! Progress doesn’t need to be immediate to be meaningful. Learning any new skill happens in small increments.
  
• Seek Positive Reinforcement. I don’t give myself a sticker every time I practice Catalan. However, I do witness genuine excitement from my husband and his family whenever I learn a new word or phrase. Their encouragement motivates me to keep going and reminds me why I started learning Catalan in the first place.

Learning a new skill as an adult can feel intimidating. It’s easy to assume that we’re too busy, too tired, or too far behind to start something new. However, in reality, the biggest obstacle is often just getting started in the first place. Whether you’re learning a new language, sport, or hobby, don’t underestimate the value of making a plan to set yourself up for success! You might be surprised at how much progress you make when you give yourself the time and structure to begin.