The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2005

time is it?” five different ways one day, and get them down pat, but if you don’t use the phrases for two months, of course you’ll forget. Don’t add to your frustrations by having one of those “Aargh, I used to know that!” moments. Repeat the phrases every day until they come naturally. You may even want to make up a brief story about yourself that you memorize. This way you can practice the fluency of the language as well as know you’ll have something to say about yourself — in the host country language — at receptions and other gatherings. To get people familiar with the alphabet, many sign language instruc- tors tell their students to finger spell things as they go about their daily life. Do the same things with your language. As you ride the bus or Metro, look at some- thing and see if you know the foreign word for it. If not, look it up. Say it. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. And, what else? Oh, yeah. Repeat. On the personal side, you need to find ways to relax and keep up enthusiasm for your post of assignment. The health maga- zines are right: exercise really is a good way to let go of stress. So is yoga, meditation or any hobby you enjoy. Take some time to work out, play the guitar, garden, or assemble model air- planes. Go to an exhibit of artists from your country of assignment, rent a video about the country, or see if the embassy has any cultural programs you can attend. Being interested in the country will help you see some light when you feel you’ve entered a dark tunnel. These tips won’t make language learning easy, but they can make it easier, so you can get your engine turned over, and once again enjoy the open road.  F O C U S J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 53 On the personal side, you need to find ways to relax and keep up enthusiasm for your post of assignment.