Learning a new language is never easy since it is a new challenge to your brain. The process is mixed with feelings of excitement and anxiousness which can be overwhelming. People are different and each individual may prefer to use unique ways of learning that best works for them; but many of us make similar mistakes. Once you decide to learn a new language you should understand it’s going to be a challenge. There are lots of times when you’ll make mistakes and this is entirely natural. Mistakes are an essential part of learning anything new. Below, we’ve put together some of the most common mistakes language learners make and solutions to them.

Setting unrealistic goals

When you have unrealistic expectations, it can be off-putting and make you want to give up. For one to get to fluency level, it requires practice, consistency and patience. Expecting to learn all the words and rules of a language rapidly is impossible. It takes time and requires persistence through the entire process. Foreign language encourager Kris Broholm reveals the core mistakes of most learners, setting way too ambitious goals, too easy goals, no goals at all, and having no idea why you are learning the language.

To progress well in the language learning journey, set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable,  Relevant, and Time-Bound) objectives. Start from simple to complex and be disciplined in  following up with the laid down objectives.

Only relying upon one method of learning

When learning a new language, some people tend to rely on one learning method. They might concentrate on listening to conversations, repeating new vocabulary daily, learning grammar rules or just copying what’s already in in the book. This slows down the learning process.

Better results can be achieved by alternating between listening, reading, writing and speaking regularly. Incorporating other concepts like cultural elements can make the process interesting.  

Not speaking/Reading the words without testing yourself

Many of us may be deceived to believe that it’s easy to retain already learnt words without putting them into practice. There are those people will invest much of their time learning vocabulary, completing grammar exercises and reading texts without getting involved in simple conversations. We may think it’s easy to remember words once we learn them and fail to actually test ourselves if we retain the information we’ve just learnt. This is a very risky move as one cannot learn a language without speaking it.

Whether language learning is done online or in person, it’s important to find someone willing to have a conversation with you in the language. It can be a native speaker or someone who is also learning.

Focusing on grammar too much.

Learning grammar means learning the rules and patterns of grammar and having an intellectual knowledge of grammar of a language. Many people believe that learning grammar intensively can help them build their knowledge. Grammar is so important, but focusing on only perfect grammar can make you feel so overwhelmed.

Put more effort to increase the amount of vocabulary acquired every day. It will help you express yourself in your daily life. Aim at flawless grammar once you have acquired enough vocabulary.

Freaking out about Making Mistakes

Most of us are too anxious to talk or write in the new language because they are afraid of making mistakes.  There are often feelings of insufficiency which inhibits learning.

Never let your mistakes stop you. Be like babies who never think of any kind of humiliation if they choose a wrong word or make very weird sentences. Don’t be afraid of trying to talk, listen,  

Translating directly

The more we grow the more it becomes complex to learn a new language. Social changes, interference from one’s primary language and continuing brain development often make it hard. The system(s) of the language(s) we already know register in our minds and one easily thinks through their first language. It can be hard to avoid direct translations from our first language. Direct translations open up room for grammatical and syntactic errors.

When training your brain to think in a new language, avoid using the dictionary to look up for every word. Identify nouns and verbs in your new language, don’t overwhelm yourself with grammar, find reading opportunities especially Children’s books which are simple and rich in description, frequent conversations, both with strangers and with people you care about. Above all, observe, watch, hear, smell and relate vocabulary directly to its meaning — not the word in your first language

Learning too many new words at once

The excitement of learning a new language can tempt one to want to learn 50 or even more new words in one sitting. This can be overwhelming, as it can be a challenge for the memory to keep in record all the new vocabulary.

Learning a new language is about building a communication skill. Instead of endlessly chasing new vocabulary, pace out your learning by adding new words gradually and reviewing older vocabulary. Spread 5-10 words into smaller 10-minute study sessions 2-3 times a day to make it manageable. Also, review the previously learnt vocabulary to help you remember. Do this consistently and it becomes less tiring.

You Don’t Adapt It to Yourself

Many people make a wrong decision of ending language learning in the classroom. This limits one and slows the process.

When you’re learning a language, you should think about how you learn best and adapt your approach accordingly. It is important to seek out things that interest you in your target language. Consider viral videos, funny memes, cartoons, video games, or Q&A websites to learn language patterns in your area of interests.

Losing the drive

Many new students are at first excited about learning a new language but fail to maintain the momentum. Learning languages does require a lot of effort, you have to think about things in a different way: different vocabulary, syntax and semantics. It’s an exhausting exercise that can really overwhelm one.

Why do some people sail through language learning while others barely do so?

For one to succeed, they need to have a scheduled learning plan that they stick to. It is important to focus on necessity by studying subjects that pertain more to your interests. For instance, food, music, fashion, travel etc. Find exciting ways of interacting with the language. Watch a film or go to a cultural fair to remind you why you started learning the language in the first place.

Forgetting to have fun

Too often the demands of seeking perfection make us anxious to learn more quickly that we forget to enjoy the learning journey. Setting up unrealistic expectations makes us become hard on ourselves if we fail to meet them.

Relax, use the language, find ways to make studying fun and, most importantly, find  friends who you can go on this journey with.

Language learning is all about partnering with your brain to find the best method that works for you, and you only. Use these tips to help you get back on track!

We at https://www.oraclelanguagecentre.co.ke/ ensure that our students are aware of the above tips before any learning starts. Join us today. Visit our offices in Karen, Nairobi or contact us through info@oraclelanguagecentre.co.ke or 0736496025.