I’m perfectly aware of the fact that you might find this hard to believe, but believe me when I say that you too can learn any language.
If you can speak your mother tongue, you can also learn any other language, because the language mechanism in our brain is the same regardless of the language or the person’s age.
We all learn languages the same way, and it works 100% of the times with kids and their native languages. I don’t know at what point in history we started to believe that we adults learn languages in a different way, but we really need to forget about the traditional grammar approach that, not only does it not work, but it also ruins anyone’s motivation.
Once you understand and internalize this, moreover, you’re going to end up convincing yourself about the fact that we can ALL learn ANY language while enjoying the process. Not only do I think that it’s possible to learn any language while enjoying the process, but I personally believe it’s the only way to do it (I’m talking about languages but it works for any other subject, by the way, but let’s stick to languages in this article).
Like I said before, the language mechanism in your brain is the same, and if it worked with your native language, it’s going to work with others. It’s all about attending classes that are based on the right principles of language acquisition (TPR and TPRS methods come in handy here); using the power of reading; taking advantage of the power of language exchanges; and many other pleasant and interesting resources that you can find in my free eBook “The World of Languages”.
Pay attention to how different it is to learn a language this way as opposed to doing it through what I call the traditional grammar approach, the conscious learning of grammar rules… Ironically, we already know that the former are way more appropriate and effective as well.
The main problem here is that we only know the traditional grammar approach because of the way we’ve been told languages should be learnt pretty much our entire lives. A traditional approach that, we already know, doesn’t work and ends up ruining anyone’s motivation.
Because we believe the traditional grammar approach is the only way to learn a language for us adults, frustration shows up and most people end up giving up due to the lack of results and the boring and inefficient nature of this approach. Many even end up hating languages and, as much as that hurts me, I perfectly understand their reasons for that.
I’ve already talked several times about my idea of the superhero when I only knew about the traditional grammar approach. Because this approach based on study, memorization and conscious learning was the only possibility, I used to look at polyglots as superheroes with an outstanding memory, an incredible ability to concentrate and study, and a tremendous talent for language learning.
Fortunately, I’ve now realized that this is not the case at all, that all these people did, whether they noticed or not, was follow the right principles by which we all acquired our native languages. As of March 2019, I speak 6 languages and I’m close to being able to communicate in a 7th one, and believe me when I say that I don’t waste a single minute of my time consciously studying grammar rules, memorizing vocabulary lists…
I’ve also hit the wall many times when trying to learn a foreign language thanks to our “dear” traditional grammar approach, and that’s where the idea of the superhero came from, but believe me when I say that talent is not a factor when it comes to language learning, and nor are our memory or ability to concentrate and study. I believe this is great news, don’t you think?
So whenever someone tells you that you’re not talented enough for language learning, that you’re never going to be able to learn your favorite language, that languages weren’t made for you…, just smile at them and don’t blame them, because they only know the traditional grammar approach themselves, and don’t forget that YOU can learn any language.
Most likely, you’ll be that person to tell yourself that you’re not talented enough, this is not your kind of thing… most of the time, but once again don’t blame yourself and understand that it’s normal to have these thoughts since pretty much your entire life you believed the story about not being talented…
Just don’t believe these thoughts and keep moving forward, because you already know that YOU too can learn your favorite language.
And the most interesting thing is you’re not even going to need your will to keep moving forward, because you’re learning your favorite languages while enjoying each and every bit of this process.
Some of you might be finding this hard to believe and thinking this is too positive, but this is completely real because I’ve been on both sides of the equation myself and I’ve witnessed the huge difference between reality and what we’ve been told our entire lives.
This is one of the most important articles, and an article I’d like to be shared a lot, because the main problem people have to face when learning a foreign language is their own beliefs (and, of course, the idea that the traditional grammar approach is the only way to learn a language, but both ideas are very related). After you understand what I’ve talked about in this article, we’ll find a way to get it done, but the most important goal has already been accomplished.
Thanks so much as usual for reading this article and best regards to all of you who somehow made your way into it.
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