Debunking 16 Language Learning Myths

Not everything you heard about languages was right. What are language learning myths? I’m here to dispel the 16 most common misconceptions about languages.

Man and language are like seismic twins that can’t be separated.

It is innate, and unless you’re born deaf and dumb (even there is a language for that also). It is what we are wired to speak, hear, and understand.

Language is everywhere and in everything we do.

Whether in the street, on the road, on TV, on Radio, we see, hear, and read the various language at the paper stand. And that includes foreign languages.

There are numerous career benefits in languages.

Learning how to speak a tongue that isn’t ours takes time, commitment, and much studying.

With all of these hurdles to cross, the last thing we want is anything that will discourage us further in our language learning goals.

When you start from that unpleasant truth, all the other language learning myths begin to melt away.

16 Language Learning Myths you need to know

But we first have to debunk the language learning myths that are holding us back.

Clearing up these myths becomes more crucial than ever.

Here we first have to debunk the 16 myths and misconceptions of language learning that are provably untrue.

Myth #1 — You need exceptional talent to learn a language

Now, people are quick to conclude that I can speak multiple languages because I have unique expertise.

Maybe I’m “heavenly gifted,” as some would even describe it.

Some would even go as far as to claim that I have a rare kind of DNA that enables me to learn, master, and speak any language I choose.

People with this mythological mindset believed that only a select few have this type of DNA.

But this myth is baseless and false, especially when you consider that any child can learn and speak any language no matter where he or she is.

The answer to this myth is that EVERY human being on earth has the language learning ability, and that’s just one of the many aspects of our human nature.

Nobody is wired uniquely to learn languages than others; if you fail or succeed today, it’s down to the approach and practice you put in. Period!

Myth #2 — My English or individual language is enough

That is outrightly incorrect!

No one tongue is sufficient for you to conquer the world in the business industry or travel sectors.

Try visiting Latin America. You will understand why there is a surge in the number of Indians and other European countries taking up Spanish classes.

Moreover, there are hundreds of places in the world that still lack comprehensive English classes.

It will surprise you that out of the world’s huge population, only less than one-quarter of it speaks English considerably.

Ask yourself, “what, for God’s sake, happens to the remaining 5.5 billion people living on our planet?”

So, that myth is entirely nonsense and should be cast away from our mindset.

Myth #3 — Impossible for adults: it’s for children only

Yes. As we grow older, learning a language becomes less natural, but saying it is impossible is false. You can study whatever you wish regardless of age.

Today’s world of technology has made it possible for people to take language classes with highly advanced language learning resources. It targets college-age and sophisticated adults.

You should know that children have just one advantage above adults, not that they are better learners.

That advantage is “the ability to look stupid without worrying about it in the course of learning.” That is what adults lack.

To succeed in learning a foreign language, you need to commit much time to repeat mistakes and repeatedly say the wrong things until you arrive at that point of perfection.

For adults, this can turn out to be a nightmare of unprecedented embarrassment, with the fear of ruining or staining our reputation.

But for children, nothing is embarrassing in this; instead, it’s just another day of life.

According to a recent report by MIT Scientist, adults learn language nearly as well as children.

The moment you can stop hiding behind books and apps and overcome the fear of being embarrassed.

Like children, you can also learn with your intelligence, consistency, and discipline in your language learning.

Myth #4 — People want to learn foreign languages

The bitter truth is, most people don’t have a profound interest in learning languages.

When people, well, at least in most cases what I observed, say they want to “learn a new language.”

They mean career enhancement, job opportunities, immigration, traveling, interest in movies or music.

Or some other aspect of the culture of people who speak a specific language. In short, languages don’t really matter. It is just a way to achieve a known or unknown goal.

Motivation and passion are everything as far as language learning is concerned.

Whatever your goal may be, being emotional about the language you’re studying will help you persevere and scale through whatever hurdles it contains.

Suppose you don’t have a great interest. In that case, it will be challenging to find time from your busy schedule and get through the different language learning stages.

Myth #5  — You must have a super memory

Wrong! Instead, memorizing is one of the unhealthiest methods of learning a language. Reciting grammar rules isn’t the best way to learn a language.

Speaking and listening is the best way you can learn a language.

You learn the right and everyday phrases that you will use, not memorizing them.

If you are not planning to perform brain surgery on the tongue you want. Well, you can well forget about learning it because memorizing will never help you.

Myth #6 — You must learn how to write and speak at the same time

The majority of language learners learn how to read and write simultaneously.

They also learn to understand and speak; it isn’t a must to learn both.

It is always a better option to do things in sequence rather than doing them simultaneously.

Imagine you are cooking dinner and, at the same filing your tax return form.

You know what that means if you chose to switch between both; you will get your food burnt and spill some contents on your tax form.

It is better to learn how to speak and understand first so that once you’ve mastered or progressed in that, you can think about learning how to read and write.

The truth is, one can be fluent in speaking a language without necessarily knowing how to put it down in writing.

Start with learning the vocal sound, and then try conversion later on.

Myth #7 — It is a must that you study grammar

That is not true, either! You don’t start your language learning by holding and memorizing conjugation charts in your head to speak perfect grammar.

You don’t have to remember all the grammar rules, including their official names, to master fluency in any language.

If you must be fluent in the language that you are learning, you have to learn grammar organically, and that’s by mimicking what you hear.

Trying to study grammar theoretically in the early stage of your language learning can even slow you down.

Focus on the connection (vocal sound) rather than on correction (theoretical studying).

Myth #8 — You only need books and apps to learn a language

Yeah, one of the language learning myths is that.

With various free language app for language learners such as Duolingo and Memrise, together with a few minutes a day on the train, one can become perfect in a foreign language.

Unfortunately, that isn’t what it seems.

Another popular myth about language learning is books and apps alone will never give you conversational fluency in your target language.

Of course, they might come in handy in helping you to troubleshoot concepts and learn vocabulary.

But the primary point of learning a new language s to engage in conversations with real people.

So the best book or app will never replace you, placing yourself out there in the open and practicing conversation with people in the real world.

Lots of conversational practice is the way to achieve fluency in language learning.

Myth #9 — Learning a language is always expensive

This myth about language learning is untrue.

Tutors for some languages can be costly, and classes in different language institutes can also be. Still, it doesn’t have to be that always.

There are more available resources for some languages compared to some others.

For instance, more universities offer French or German than the Dutch or Portuguese language, which is the reality.

But that said, there are many accessible and affordable resources and books that make language learning easy and even fascinating.

Myth #10 — You have to live where the target language is spoken

You do not have to live where your target language is spoken before you can get to express yourself.

Many people in Africa have never crossed to France, but they speak flawless French, even better than those who live in French-speaking countries.

The beauty of this is mainly down to the interest of the person and learning centers.

And the accessibility of resources available to anyone with a teacher, books and an internet connection, and a computer.

Myth #11 — Language learning is too difficult

While language learning takes time, it’s not going to be forever, and neither is the process.

Language is only challenging to learn if you don’t want to study.

To successfully acquire a new tongue, you have to commit much time. A will to learn must also be present — not that learning a language is difficult.

Language learning is hard for some people to cope with is down to some of the methods that languages are taught, not that the language itself is ambiguous.

So, the claim that language learning is too complicated is just another myth that discourages learning.

Myth #12 — Foreign Languages guarantees to move abroad

Wrong! While your foreign language learning opens you up to more significant opportunities, it doesn’t guarantee to put food on your table.

What do I mean?

Let’s assume you signed up for a French course and later became perfect or gain near perfection in your French proficiency test.

It will help you fit in properly and assimilate into the French culture if you decide to move to France or any Francophone nation.

It doesn’t guarantee your language employment in the overseas market.

With your ability to speak a foreign language, you need other skills to land jobs requiring languages.

Remember, you are not the only one speaking the language over there in your target destination.

To have the advantage is to have additional skills. It is not a myth that your language proficiency is sufficient to land immigration or other job-related opportunities.

Myth #13 — Are Intelligent People are Better Language Learners?

While learning a new language makes you smarter. Much research has proven that being bilingual has positive effects on the brain.

They are better at problem-solvers, prioritizing tasks, multitasking, and tend to make more rational decisions.

The advantages after learning a new language are well-known, but are more innovative people better at learning lingos?

Academic background or High IQ has nothing to do with studying a new language. It has proven to be quite a low indicator of language-learning ability.

Rather than IQ or intelligence, it is often the suitable methodologies, different strategies, tolerance for ambiguity, interest, and regular practice that matter most – to give the learners more confidence and encourage them to learn.

If you did very well in academics, it is no guarantee of success.

Similarly, if you have struggled at school, that doesn’t mean you will do the same with languages.

Every person has a different learning style.

Armed with the correct methods, authentic materials, and proper motivation, one can achieve higher proficiency in any language in a few years.

The truth is that there are many ways of learning languages. Find the learning style that works for you, and you can surely succeed.

Myth #14 — Translation tools are great, and learning is unnecessary

The different translation tools like Google or Bing translators Bing translators can increase productivity immediately and may suffice in day-to-day activity but are inadequate and ineffective for ongoing business and professional communication.

The essential components like etiquette, manners, opinions, and negotiation are crucial communication skills beyond the reach of translation tools.

There is a reason why so many people want to make a career in translation since it is a high-paying position.

Language is a complex system.

Machine or Web Translation can never replace human translators, and a machine algorithm can’t relate words to context.

There are words with dual meanings in different parts of the globe, and what works in one does not necessarily work in another.

The translation is something when quality matters more than anything.

Human translators and interpreters are much more reliable and effective, and the ‘personal’ aspect will always beat technology.

Myth #15 — I can learn a new language in a few months

Don’t believe this hype. It’s natural and human psychology to look for quick and easy fixes to problems they have to face during language learning.

The last thing you should be wasting your time on endlessly searching and researching.

Only to see the best language hack, which will enable you to learn that particular language quickly.

Unfortunately, there is no such method; at least I am not aware of it. Don’t fall into the trap of marketing strategy.

So, How long it takes to learn a language?

Although it depends on several factors.

Usually, it takes anywhere between 3 to 5 years, depending upon the language’s difficulty level and how you are learning it.

Whether you are intrigued by learning a popular foreign language or less taught languages, learning takes time. There is no shortcut to fluency.

Successful linguist knows that there is neither any hidden trick nor any silver bullet to language learning. So, they don’t waste time searching for it.

Stop wasting time, get busy using your language, and adapt your learning approach to your challenges!

Most people underestimate the time needed to learn a language properly. Set a realistic goal.

The reasons you will fail to learn a language; it’s either because you’re following the wrong approach or not practicing enough.

If you want to do great things, then you need to make great efforts.

As simple as it gets!

Myth #16 — One can learn Online or through self-study

With the popularity of the Internet and distance learning, the opportunity has come to partake in plenty of new services.

There are tons of online language courses, and all you need is an Internet connection and the desire to learn.

It seems pretty straightforward, right?

Well, I assure you it is not. Trust me. It is not as easy as it looks.

I tried and failed to learn Italian and Portuguese online.

It is exceedingly difficult to learn another language online or self-study or even through distance education due to a lack of discipline, interaction, inspiration, and proper guidance.

I eventually concluded that an actual course was needed or, even better, a language learning center or private tutor of some sort.

The only way I was ever going to learn the language was by actually sitting down and studying with someone who could answer the myriad of questions that arose every day.

Sad, isn’t it?

Some people seem to have an ear for languages and can pick them up solely by listening and reading. Too bad I will never be one of those people.

Most people I met who tried doing this also fall in the same category. Exceptions are always there, but they are not examples.

Get away from your computer or mobile screen and out into the real world.

Online language resources have their place in language learning, but they make a small part.

Please take it as supplementary and take help from any foreign language teacher for all the assistance.

Final Words

The purpose of this article, “Language Learning Myths,” was not to discourage but to tell some hard-hitting truth.

When you start from that fundamental truth, all the other myths begin to melt away. Good luck with your foreign language education.

It can be as much fun as you want to make it!

Don’t believe the hype, and hopefully, you should cross off these myths and misconceptions of language learning and take the leap!