Don't learn a language like this

Common errors that I see

In yesterday’s Guiding You to Fluency blog post, I shared 5 Tried and True Language Learning Methods. Today, I will do the opposite. I will tell you frequent mistakes that I see, in the context of actually reaching your fluency goals.

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Mistake #1: Using Duolingo

I don’t mind if you use Duolingo, as long as we acknowledge that in most cases it has almost no impact on your progress. It’s not “better than nothing” if reaching a fluency goal is a high priority. I think it’s also worth pointing out that some people have a low-key Duolingo addiction. They tell themselves they use it because they want to learn a language, but in reality it’s because they want to keep up their streak.

There is no correlation between your streak and your ability to interact in whatever language you are currently learning.

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Mistake #2: Relying solely on group classes

I actually like group classes, but relying only on group classes + homework provided by the teacher is almost certainly not enough to reach your desired level of fluency. Think of group classes as a structured, partial fluency solution.

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Mistake #3: Relying on a single resource

This is similar to mistake #2. While there are rare exceptions, generally relying on any one single resource to reach your fluency goals won’t work. You will likely need to use multiple resources. Again, there are rare exceptions to this, but it is safest to assume you are not the exception (lol).

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Mistake #4: Watching TV

I actually love watching TV as a way to learn a language. But to just think you’ll turn on some show in Spanish and magically learn Spanish? No. Probably not. You’d be surprised how many people think that strategy will work based on the people I talk to and the types of conversations I have.

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Mistake #5: Leading from your head

I may need to delve into this in more detail another day. I’ve only recently been able to find the words to articulate this idea, but in short: lead from the heart and not the head. The irony is that those who lead from the head won’t understand what it means to lead from the heart. Otherwise they would already be doing so, haha.

Roughly speaking, we need to change the definition of “studying” a language. Those who lead from the head imagine that studying a language involves actions like:

• Taking notes

• Memorizing rules

• Doing grammar drills

• Exerting mental effort

• Using a textbook

Nothing is inherently wrong with any of the above, but if you only lead from the head you are unlikely to reach your fluency goals. We also need to use “heart strategies.” Here are examples of what that means practically. Notice the emotion-based words in each sentence, which I have italicized for you:

• Enjoying native content

• Having fun while learning a language

• Making memories with native speaker friends

• Watching content that makes you feel a wide array of emotions

The best approach is one that mixes heart and head strategies. Or, frankly, if you went 100% heart that also frequently works out. The only option that I’ve rarely seen work is to go 100% head. In fact, I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen it work, depending on how we were to define “work.”

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Thanks for reading!

Azren
Calgary Language Nerds owner
https://azrenthelanguagenerd.com