Just like everything else, language learning starts with a good mindset. As the old saying goes, it's all in the mind! So today, we'll explore 5 language learning myths that's stopping most people from making progress, if not discourage them from learning it.
1. Children are better at learning a language.
This is the biggest misconception in language learning. There was once a popular belief that our brain stops developing at a certain age, making it difficult for older people to learn a foreign language. However, the latest breakthrough research on neuroscience has disproved this myth and stated that our brain has the ability to renew its neurons to compensate injury and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment.
Sure, the adult brain looks different, physically but this does not mean that they're inferior learners. The advantages younger learners have over adults are just that they have more time and fewer responsibilities. Only that. In fact, a research by the University of Essex concluded that there is no critical period for learning a second language. So please stop blaming your parents for not hiring an English tutor for you when you were 6 years old.
As a teacher, I have found that the biggest difference in the classroom between the adult and the young learners is the fact that the latter group is not afraid to commit mistakes and do not fear looking stupid or embarrassed. But I truly believe that once adult learners overcome this, they can beat children with discipline, consistency, and critical thinking. Ever saw a six-year old sit down to learn a grammar book for hours?
2. You can achieve fluency through books and apps alone.
I'm sorry Duolingo and Memrise apps subscribers, but you've been had. The idea is that, by spending few minutes a day on your app, you'll achieve fluency in no time. This marketing is just so similar with fast diets: it's a lie. What it does is help you build vocabulary and basic concepts, nothing more. It lacks the pragmatic approach, but gives you the basic knowledge.
The thing is, the ultimate goal of learning a language is to have conversations. So go out often and hold conversations with people, only by immersing yourself in the real world are you going to really be fluent in any language.
3. The best way to learn a language is to go to it's native country.
I had students who were excited to go to US to improve their English fluency, only to come back disappointed. It didn't help much, and it happened to all of them. Coincidence? I think not. The general consensus among language acquisition researchers is that studying abroad does not automatically make you better at a foreign language. Results are case to case basis, affirming once again that there is no one and certain way to learn a language.
One foolproof tip to remember: always think about the quality of instruction that you're going to get. Be it abroad or at home, it doesn't matter. I am an English speaker with CEFR level C1, that means my level is native-like. I correspond with native speakers on email, I laugh at my American friends' jokes, and gets annoyed at my British friends' sarcasm. I can speak in my native accent, in a neutral accent, in an American accent, and I could do a better British accent than Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. I never went outside Asia, and Japan is actually my first overseas destination. So much for immersing in a native speaking country, eh?
4. You need to study grammar first.
You didn't become fluent in your language because of studying grammar. Grammar is learned through mimicry, that is copying others. This is not only true to your native language, it is true to all languages all over the world. As modern language experts/educators said, grammar is the side dish, not the main course. There's no one-size-fits all kind of method in language learning.
In fact, learning grammar can slow down your progress because you're trying to be perfect at a stage where learning through trial and error should take place. Ever wonder why Japanese have trouble becoming fluent in English? It's mainly because their education system emphasizes grammar too much. Perfection is the enemy of progress.
It's also important to bear in mind that grammar is something that fluent speakers say about the things that they already know. That means, they've mastered utilizing the language first, and that's why they can talk about grammar. Not the other way around. Also, I just want to let you know one fact: only a small fraction of native speakers know grammar. So don't obsess and stress over it.
5. There is one sure method to learning a language.
In case you haven't noticed, I've mentioned here twice that there's no one-size-fits-all method in language learning. Most language educators are bombarded by the hackneyed question: how do I study to improve my English level? And if you're going to search it on the internet, you'd be overwhelmed by the vast quantity of tips on how to do it.
I'm not saying that those tips from experts are not true, it's just that you have to explore, mix and match, and tailor your methods to your own learning style. Society has taught us to rely too much on experts and not on our personal experience, and it's going to take a toll on your language learning.
For example, when I was little, most of my classmates were really good at remembering grammar rules and its usage from a book. In contrast, I only fully understand grammar rules if I 1.) know the meaning of the vocabulary and the word function in a sentence/phrase, and 2.) encounter it in the most mundane things and situations like a shampoo bottle, a novel, or TV commercial. I recognized this during my pre-teens and that's why I always ask my teachers where can I pragmatically see this grammar rule, or in what situation can this rule be applied.
The conclusion...
Society has its own way of pressuring us into a belief system that does not really serve us well. This is true particularly in language learning. By busting and dispelling these beliefs, we can fully understand the ways to reach our goals and most importantly, to enjoy our journey in language learning. Good luck!
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