Hi, I'm Lize, from MosaLingua. If you're watching this video, it might be
because you want to learn a language but are afraid to fail. Today, I want to help
you get your confidence back. Let's check the most common reasons why
people fail or give up learning a language so you can be sure you won't
fall into the same traps. With our tips, you won't be able to fail at learning
a language, even if you try!
Before I go any further don't forget to subscribe
to our channel for more language learning tips. Click the red button down
below so you'll not miss any of our videos. And if you're watching this video on
Facebook, Instagram or other social platform, don't forget to like it and
follow our page. As part of the MosaLingua Team, something I unfortunately hear very
often is: "I hope you guys can make me learn a language." So, a very common reason
why some people fail at learning a language is simply because they think
it's somebody else's job, instead of seeing it for what it really is: a great
personal conquest. A conquer that will be yours, and yours
alone. That will help broaden your world and will open many doors, personally
and professionally. But that will, of course, ask for your time and commitment.
Yes, it's a personal journey. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't get support
along the way. So, if you decide to learn a language by yourself, one challenge
that you must be up to is choosing the right learning material. Not because
there aren't enough options out there, but exactly the opposite. You'll find so
many learning resources online that you might actually have a hard time choosing.
Here, I have two tips for you: first, choose one learning resource that can
help you with the foundation of language learning, which is building a basic and
useful vocabulary. You don't know where to start? We have published another video
about how to choose the right learning resources, so check the
link up here and on the video's description. Second: choose additional
material that can add some variety to your learning process and help you start
using the vocabulary you're learning. If you want to solve both issues in one
place, you might also try MosaLingua Web. On this online learning platform, you'll
not only have access to a great deal of words and sentences to memorize, but also
to videos, graded texts, ebooks, audiobooks and tons of other learning resources
that will help you put this vocabulary into practice and keep improving. And you
can test all these amazing tools and resources for free. Check out the links
on screen and on the video's description. Once you've chosen your main learning
resource and some extra material, step number two is start practicing daily.
And that leads me to the next reason why some people fail at learning a language.
The key to success is regular practice, not talent. But there's a common
misconception that I want to clarify: Practicing a language doesn't
necessarily mean that you have to sit at your desk, open a book and study for
three hours a day. That's actually something that you should avoid if you
don't want to get bored and give up. Instead, make your target language part
of your daily routine. So, dedicating just 10 minutes of your
day to learning vocab with your MosaLingua app is a good start. Once you have made vocab
review a habit (30 days in a row is about right) complement your practice
with other material and activities. If you want to learn more about how to
incorporate language practice into your routine and how to create good habits,
scroll down to the video's description. Grammar is a controversial issue in the
language learning community. But I'll make a simple comparison to illustrate
our point of view here at MosaLingua: would you be able to learn how to swim
from scratch simply by reading a very detailed book? One that describes all the
movements and physics involved in swimming, even before
you get into the water? Well... me neither. Please, don't get me wrong. Grammar is a
wonderful tool. A tool to help you improve once you reach a certain level
and start feeling an urge to get a more in-depth look at the language's structure.
But choosing it as the very basis of your learning process will only make it
harder, less natural and less fun. We can actually use the same analogy here.
The best way to learn how to swim is swimming. And the best way to learn how to speak a
language is, of course, speaking. Waiting until they are ready to start speaking
and using a language is another reason why many people give up. Because most of
us will actually never think we are ready enough. But speaking is an
important step if you want to keep moving forward on your learning path.
On one hand, because, to most people, learning a language is actually a means to an end
which, ultimately, is communication. And on the other hand, because speaking will
help you gather up all the pieces of the language puzzle and to put them together
to make it look like the picture on the box. When you put it all together, you'll
realize just how far you've come. So, my personal approach to this? At first, just
talk to yourself. Throughout your day, just try to think about your daily
routine and your tasks in your target language. This way, you'll soon have
enough confidence to start looking for a language partner and to really start to
have fun practicing your language skills. Not having a clear learning goal is
another common mistake among people who fail at learning a language.
Just wanting to learn Spanish is too broad of a goal, and one that is difficult to measure.
It helps a lot if you can prioritize one or two skills and come up
with a goal that is more specific. Do you want to be able to watch the latest
Marvel movie without subtitles? Or read your
favorite Émile Zola book in French, instead of the translation? Also, keep in
mind that this goal could and should evolve as part of your learning process.
Whenever you conquer your first goal, it's time to set another. Continuously
challenging yourself with a new skill to pursue is a great way to keep you
motivated and improving. Well, self-sabotage is the last but by no
means the least common issue that I want to talk about in this video. I wish I
had a dime for every time someone told me, "I really wanted to learn Spanish, but
I don't have time." Or "I'm not gifted for languages. I don't think I'll ever be able
to learn French." I know that languages seem to be something that comes easier
for some people, but the truth is that everybody is able to learn a foreign
language. For some of us it might take more patience, more dedication, better
strategies or study habits, or even a better understanding of the learning
style that works for us. But to say that what's holding you back is not being
"gifted" for languages is not a good excuse. That's why I wanted to end this
video with a quote from Canadian linguist and polyglot Steve Kaufmann,
who says that, "In language learning, it's attitude, not aptitude, that determines success."
So, now that you've heard all the main reasons why people fail at learning
a language, you already know all the pitfalls to avoid and you are ready to
make choices that will really help you to steer clear of them. Just roll up your
sleeves and... happy learning!
If you learned something new from this video give it a
thumbs up. Then hit subscribe and turn on your notifications. Have a look around
our channel for more hacks and tips. And if you're watching on another social
media platform, like or follow our page. See you next time!