The 3 Most Common Mistakes When Starting a New Language

Starting to learn a foreign language is exciting when you are the one making the choice.

You can’t wait to start and already picture yourself in Germany, a large IPA beer in your hand talking in German to an enthusiastic person congratulating you for getting so fluent in so little time.

But you’re also aware many people quit the learning journey a few months in. You’re not stupid. You know better than those people. And so you research the right resources, the best methods, the most important aspects to tackle.

Suddenly, you notice your friend coming towards you. She’s a foreigner who’s learned your language. You should be able to get some quick tips from her, so go for it.

You start walking towards her but here I am, interrupting you. I’ve been looking at your troubled face. I recognize it. I’ve had it numerous times. Each time I started a new language, to be more precise. Relax, It’ll all be ok. You won’t mess up this new endeavor if you remember to stop the 3 major mistakes you were in the middle of.

1. Rushing into it

Sure, there’s the risk to give up midway if you start in a hurry, but that’s not just it. You’d also be missing the keys to your success!

First of all, do you know why you want to learn this language? Talking to that German guy from your imagination won’t be enough to keep you coming back day after day. It’ll work for a few weeks, at most, but then you’ll need something better. — And no, I’m not talking about a better German guy.

Discovering the deep-rooted reason why you want to start a learning journey is the key to never giving up.

Of course, you’ll also need to find resources, set a plan, a system of sorts to stay consistent. That brings us to the second mistake you’re doing.

2. Optimizing before standardizing

If you spend too much time working on the preparations, you’ll never get anything. How can you learn a language if all you do is read about the theory of learning it?

Sure, there’s some use in doing some research at first, but you will need to get started soon enough. There comes a point when the time spent on research outweighs the results it brings. When is that time?

If you spend 20–30 minutes a day doing some research, I can promise you that you’ll know enough by the end of the week. Probably even more than enough. The rest can be learned and improved as you go.

“Standardize before you optimize. You can’t improve a habit that doesn’t exist.” — James Clear

You can’t follow the perfect plan if you never start it in the first place. Get moving first. Optimize later.

3. Taking advice too seriously

People have their own way of doing. To each their best. Some will be useful, some won’t. Some will shock you, some will excite you. Some will motivate you, some will demotivate you. Take advice with a grain of salt.

For instance, why are you still listening to a weirdo who just blocked you on your way to meet your friend? He seems to know a bit about the topic but, come on, he’s talking about himself in the third person!

In more seriousness, you’ll always find someone with the tip of the century. Ready to show off his knowledge without taking into consideration the fact that his advice may not work for everybody.

Take the help offered by others and try the advice received. It might be some of the good kind after all. But make your own mind after that. You’re the one who knows who you are and what works for you.

You’re the master of your life. Act like it. And soon enough, that image you had in your head earlier will become true.

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Disclaimer

The original version of this story was published on another platform.

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