When you start a new project or set a new goal for yourself, you typically look for advice from those who have already succeeded in that field, hoping it will be useful to you. Unfortunately, many people who have no idea what they are talking about also try to tell you what you should or should not do.
We present to you 4 commonly heard statements that some 'know-it-alls' use as advice when they find out you are learning a foreign language. And they are complete nonsense! Whatever you do – do not listen to them!
1. Make a list of new words and learn them
This usually happens when learning a foreign language at school. And you probably forgot all the words you learned after just a few weeks or months. By choosing and learning random words, you may never use them again. This is a really bad idea!
Unless you have some specific reason to continue remembering them, it is a complete waste of time and you will have very low motivation to continue practising.
Instead of random words, choose vocabulary that is connected to your interests, your work, or something you want to achieve with your language skills. This will make your task much easier and more fun!
2. Learn grammar first
Of course, it is important to understand the grammar of the language you are learning. Once you study the basic grammatical patterns for using the language, it will be easier for you to put the pieces together faster.
That is what they say… But unless you have already built up serious vocabulary and knowledge, you will not be able to apply the grammatical patterns you have learned. It would be better to learn some words first so that you have something to use your grammar on. Or again – you will quickly forget everything you have learned.
3. If you don't learn the language while you are very young, you will never learn it fluently
This is an absolute lie! Yes, it is easier for any child to learn a new language quickly because at that age their brains absorb every piece of information they receive. But that certainly does not mean that adults cannot learn a new language at a very high level. It requires serious work, lots of practice, and a willingness to accept mistakes while remaining determined in pursuing the ultimate goal (just like children do). There is no reason (except laziness and unwillingness) why you cannot succeed in learning a second language, or even a 3rd and 4th, at a later stage in your life.
4. You must learn the language perfectly before you start speaking it
Nobody likes to look foolish, especially in front of strangers. For this reason, many language learners fall into the trap of waiting until (in their opinion) they reach a very high level before they try to use their new language skills to talk to people in real life. While understandable, this is a very bad idea.
The best way to learn a language fluently is to try to use it for its intended purpose. Of course, you will make mistakes, but that is okay. There is no other way to improve your pronunciation than by hearing how words are pronounced by native speakers. Only this way will you also gain the confidence you need!
If you wait too long before you start speaking, there is a risk that you will only learn to recite certain sentences that you have memorized. It is much better to learn to use your vocabulary and grammar by thinking and expressing yourself in real situations.
These are our recommendations on how NOT to learn a new language… However, if you are looking for an amazing course to start learning and speaking a foreign language the RIGHT way, check out what courses the largest and most respected language platform in Bulgaria can offer you: KABINATA.com!