5 Myths You’ve Been Told About Learning a Language

Bryce Purnell
6 min readDec 22, 2022

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Are you considering learning a new language but have been discouraged by what you’ve heard? Unfortunately, much of the marketing and advice out there regarding language learning can be misleading or even completely false. If you’re feeling confused or uncertain, it’s important to separate the myths from the facts. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at five myths about language learning that you may have heard — and debunk them once and for all. Let’s get started!

You can become fluent in weeks/months

This is one of the most common misconceptions when it comes to learning a language. People often think that if they put in a few weeks or months of dedicated effort, they will be able to become fluent in a language. However, this simply isn’t true.

Fluency in a language takes years of consistent practice, and even then, you will never truly be able to master a language. It takes dedication, patience, and most importantly, time. There are no shortcuts when it comes to learning a language; you cannot become fluent in a matter of weeks or months.

So if you are looking to learn a language, do not let yourself be fooled into believing that you can become fluent in a short amount of time. Set realistic expectations for yourself and commit to an ongoing learning process that will last years.

You need to live in a country to learn its language

The idea that one needs to live in a country to learn its language is a common misconception. While living in a country where the language is spoken may be beneficial, it is by no means essential to learning the language.

With modern technology, access to language-learning resources has never been easier. Language learning apps, online courses and virtual tutors are readily available and provide many of the same benefits as living in the country would.

Moreover, language immersion can be achieved without living in a country. Watching foreign films, listening to music in the language and even interacting with native speakers online can all help to improve one’s proficiency.

The key to learning a language is consistent practice, regardless of where you are located. As long as you have access to the right resources and a dedication to learning, it is perfectly possible to become proficient in a foreign language without living in the target country.

Children learn languages better than adults

It is a common misconception that children are naturally better at learning languages than adults. While it is true that children often learn languages faster than adults, this is only because they have not yet developed the cognitive load of adulthood and can thus dedicate more of their brain power to language acquisition.

In reality, adults have the capacity to learn languages just as well as children. Furthermore, research has shown that adults often have the advantage of being able to retain more information due to their increased ability to form associations and mental models.

However, while adults may be able to comprehend a language more easily than children, it is important to remember that a child’s brain is in a continuous process of development, and as such, they are able to absorb new language quickly and store it for later use.

Moreover, there are certain aspects of language acquisition that adults may struggle with, such as the pronunciation of foreign words or slang terms. This is simply due to the fact that the way children hear and produce sounds is slightly different from that of adults.

In conclusion, while children may appear to learn languages faster than adults, this is only an illusion caused by the difference in brain development between the two groups. In reality, both adults and children can learn languages effectively; it just takes a different approach for each group.

You need to have a language gene

This myth is often perpetuated by those who believe that some people are simply born to be language learners, while others cannot learn a language no matter how hard they try. This myth is false. Everyone can learn a language; some people may pick it up faster than others, but anyone with a desire to learn and the dedication to practice can become proficient in a language.

It’s important to remember that the only thing you need to learn a language is motivation and persistence. Your ability to learn and succeed in language learning is completely unrelated to any genetic trait. You may find certain aspects of language more difficult than others, such as pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, but with the right strategies and techniques, you can still make significant progress.

So don’t buy into the myth that you need to have a “language gene” — everyone has the potential to become a successful language learner. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

The best way to learn a language is in a classroom

Many people believe that the best way to learn a language is in a classroom setting. However, this may not be the case for everyone. While the traditional classroom setting can provide a structured environment and clear guidance from a teacher or instructor, it can also be limiting when it comes to exploring language and culture. Classroom environments often have strict rules and procedures which can limit the learning process and prevent students from taking full advantage of opportunities to explore language and culture.

In addition, the classroom setting can be costly, as students may be required to pay tuition fees or buy expensive materials. Furthermore, classes may not be accessible to those who do not live near a school, or who cannot commit to a set schedule due to other commitments.

So while the classroom environment may be beneficial for some, it is not necessarily the only option available. There are other ways to learn a language outside of the classroom setting. For example, online courses and tutorials are becoming increasingly popular, and they allow you to access language-learning material wherever you are and whenever you want.

There are also plenty of books and other materials available that can help you learn a language on your own time. Finally, immersing yourself in the language and culture by travelling or engaging with native speakers can be an effective way of learning a language.

The bottom line is that there is no single best way to learn a language. Different methods work better for different people, so it’s important to find the approach that works best for you. With the right strategy and dedication, anyone can become proficient in a foreign language — no matter how they choose to learn it!

Learning Using Tools Like Learn Laugh Speak

With Learn Laugh Speak, adults can learn English in an easy and efficient way. This application is designed to make learning English easier for adults, as it provides a full digital learning environment with native teachers for support and tailored emails.

Through this application, you will have access to 33,000 lessons which are designed to help you learn English faster. You will also receive instant corrections and be able to track your progress in a custom journey.

The benefits of Learn Laugh Speak is that it makes learning English easier and more convenient for adults.

It offers a wide variety of lessons, with native teachers available to provide support if needed. You will also be able to track your progress, so you can see how far you have come since starting to learn English. The lessons are tailored specifically for adults, making them easier to understand and follow.

Overall, Learn Laugh Speak is a great tool for adults who want to learn English quickly and conveniently. With its wide range of lessons and its tailored emails, it makes learning English easier for adults and helps them reach their language goals in a shorter period of time.

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Bryce Purnell
Bryce Purnell

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