Suitable for low-intermediate CEFR B1+
#Languages #LanguageLearning #polyglot
Language is everywhere. It is fundamental to every thought and social interaction we have throughout our lives. It is something that we all learn as children having had no previous experience and without explicit instruction, and yet many people are filled with tremendous anxiety at the very idea of learning a new language.
There are many myths and false beliefs that people may hold about learning a language, sometimes simply because they are prevalent in society and sometimes as a result of our own self-doubt. So, for all the people thinking about learning a language or thinking of giving up, here are 5 of the most common language learning myths debunked.
1. Learning a language requires a special talent
Whilst it is true that there are some polyglots out there who do seem to have a natural gift for learning languages, learning a new language does not require any special skills or talents; all you need is determination. Language learning is a gradual process and building fluency depends on putting in effort and communicating at regular intervals. Anyone can learn a language if they are willing to put in some hard work and can set aside 15-30 minutes several times a week.
If you failed at learning a language in the past, it is likely that you weren't doing the right things regularly enough. Making some changes to the way that you learn or how often you learn could help you get better results.
2. New technology means there's no need to learn a language
Anyone that thinks they can use Google translate or some other translation app hasn't tried reading the auto-subtitles on You Tube! Anyone that has will know that language software has a hard time generating subtitles in the same language as the speaker, let alone translating to other languages accurately. Whilst the technology is admittedly much better than it was 10 years ago, voice recognition software still struggles with regional accents and automatic website translations are often littered with errors or, in some cases, end up completely unreadable.
'So what?' a skeptic might say, 'give it another five years and the technology will be more reliable.' That may be so, but communicating effectively is more than simply speaking a language. To really communicate in any language you need to feel it in your heart.
Each language, however similar, has its own nuances that create emotional connections that speakers can identify with and use to build stronger relationships. Communicating through a computer programme adds a physical and emotional barrier that will never replace the need for language learning.
3. You can teach yourself a language using books and apps.
Don't get me wrong, there are some truly amazing language learning apps out there that are available for free (God bless the internet), but books and apps alone are not enough to learn a language fluently. Although books are great for completing grammar exercises to improve your accuracy, and Duolingo is a productive way to use 5 minutes of otherwise 'dead' time waiting for your bus to arrive, the purpose of language is communication and you can only do that with other people. For best results use as many different resources and speak to as many different people as possible.
Don't have anyone to speak to? Find a language partner for free on a language learning platform or take some small group classes with a reputable online school.
4. I'm too old to learn a language.
Evidence suggests that children under 7 can pick up languages easily because the brain has not yet fully developed and some theories suggest that there may be differences in the way additional languages are stored in the brains of young children, but the truth is that you are never too old to learn!
With commitment and perseverance you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Set aside some dedicated study time each day or as much as you reasonably can each week and get yourself into the habit of learning. Generally speaking, little and often is better. Fifteen minutes of your full attention every day will make more of an impact that setting aside a whole hour twice a week and you're likely to notice your progress more quickly without it becoming a chore.
5. The best way to learn a language is to go and live in a country where it is spoken.
Sure, immersion is a great way to become fluent in a new language more quickly, but with so much technology available to support communication it is by no means essential. The biggest factor at play here is motivation. When all of your daily tasks require you to speak another language, you become highly motivated to improve. Finding some way to replicate that may help you retain more information and to learn more quickly.
Need some inspiration? You could try playing video or online games in another language or changing the language settings on all your electronic devices. Listening to international radio stations or audiobooks while you are travelling or doing other tasks is also an easy lifestyle change to make.
So that's it. Five of the most common language learning myths debunked.
Learning a language requires a lot of hardwork and commitment and it is human nature to find excuses for why we haven't gotten round to something. It is no easy task, but I hope you can see that with a little time and effort several times a week, it is possible to reach a functional level of fluency within a reasonably short period of time.
If you are thinking about learning a language, go for it! Use as many different materials and resources as you can, many of which are available for free, so you've absolutely nothing to lose!
If you have been learning a language and have become frustrated because you don't seem to be progressing anymore, think about how and where it is that you are studying. Sometimes trying a new way or choosing a different enviornment can make all the difference. Seeking support and advice from a fully qualified and reputable language teacher can also help kick-start your motivation and take your language learning to the next level.
You can book a 15 minute trial session and language assessment to identify gaps in your learning and set new targets for only $1 USD with me on facebook or via the contact form on my website.
