Common Misconceptions about Language Learning

In this wonderfully diverse world, there are around 7,000 languages. How many languages do you speak? Perhaps you are considering learning a language, but you're not sure if you'll be able to undertake such a seemingly daunting task. Have no fear, amigo! Soon you'll be ready to begin your language-learning journey. Here are just a few common misconceptions and thoughts about language learning.

1. Learning a language is difficult

"I can't do it - it's like learning a foreign language!"
I hear this all the time. So many people believe that learning a foreign language is reserved only for the elite, the clever ones. But this really isn't the case. People think languages are difficult or boring because of how they have been taught - long hours spent in the classroom learning fixed phrases without really understanding anything at all. You feel like your time has been wasted. Learning a language does take time and committment but, if you're willing to give it a chance, before long you'll really start to feel the satisfaction of being able to understand another language!

2. Grammar is pointless

Imagine language as a tasty soup. You've got lots of different ingredients which work together in perfect harmony to make a tasty meal. Now imagine the soup without the bowl. What do you have? A soggy pile of meat and vegetables that doesn't look particularly appealing. Grammar is like the bowl of language - it holds everything together and makes something great out of seemingly irrelevant chunks of stuff. Personally, I find grammar one of the most interesting parts of learning a language. Grammar is seriously underrated.

3. I can't learn vocabulary!

This can be a daunting task for many people. It's true - learning new words can be tiresome and boring, especially when you're trying to learn many words at a time. But here's the thing - you have been learning vocabulary your whole life! You just haven't realised it because it has been taken out of the vocabulary-learning context, e.g a classroom, or at home cramming for a French vocab test the next day. You're constantly absorbing new words into your subconsious mind. However, learning vocabulary in a different language can be quite different. Flash cards are a great way to memorise words in the target language - personally I use images on flash cards whenever possible. For example if I'm learning French and want to make a card for the French "une pomme" (an apple), I will write "une pomme" on one side, and on the other I will draw or print a picture of an apple, instead of using the word "apple". Personally I find this more helpful, as the mind tends to work better with images and ideas than with words. Then, when you see "une pomme", an image of an apple should appear in your head, whereas if you associate the words "une pomme" with the English "an apple", your brain has to process the thoughts "oh, 'une pomme', that means 'an apple'", and then only after thinking of the relevant english word does an image of an apple appear in your head.

4. I want to speak this language perfectly!

For many people, the ultimate goal is to speak another language "perfectly". Let me tell you something: nobody speaks any language perfectly, not even their own language. We are all human beings (I presume). We all make mistakes when communicating in any language, even our own, and that's ok. Instead of aiming for perfection, one should aim for fluency. Some people may say, "fluency and perfection, aren't they the same thing?". Well, actually, no they aren't. The word "fluency" is related to the word "fluid". Therefore, being "fluent" in a language simply means that one can speak "fluidly" and be understood, without too much hesitation. It is impossible to speak any language "perfectly", because neither languages nor the humans that use them are perfect. Languages are imperfect. They are fluid and ever-changing. There is always something new to learn, no matter how long you have been speaking or learning any given language.

5. I'm no longer in my teens, so I can never learn to speak another language fluently

For some people it may get harder to learn languages as they get older, but it certainly isn't impossible. One of the main problems with older language learners is that adults are less willing to just have a go and not worry about making mistakes. Letting go of this inhibition will probably be difficult, but it will help you no end in speeding up the learning process and improving your proficiency and confidence.

6. But I don't have time!

Think about the time you spend waiting in an average day. You wait for your daily commute. You do your daily commute. You stand in silence in the elevator. You watch the adverts on TV. In this day and age, you can have a fully-featured language course with you everywhere you go. You could listen to a Spanish podcast as you press those trousers, or read the headlines in German as you sit on the train. If you're afraid of seeming antisocial, don't be. You're learning a new language - a language lets you communicate with more people. It balances itself out, don't worry.