Everybody struggles when learning languages. It is an inherent part of the process. If you are struggling it means you are progressing in the same way everybody else does.
Anthony, you are right. Struggling is normal when learning a new language. If we think it is easy, it is more likely we'll give up. Apart from this idea, I think some people need speaking practice. The need to talk to themselves and to other people in their target language. The book "How to improve your foreign language immediately" (by Boris Shekhtman) gives some good advice.
I just wanted to say thank you for this video. This actually is helping me in my life. I've recently changed jobs and there is so much to learn I feel very overwhelmed. Your video made me feel much better. Thank you.
Great video and solid advice I think people need to notice this reality of the struggle and not be discouraged by it but to accept it and keep going. Keep making videos they are very insightful and encouaging.
Well, I used to struggle for over 10 years with english, but at some point of my life I have seen that there's no need. Probably I needed so much experience first to notice how does it work, but the fact is that it usualy take about 1 year to get easiness in any european language I try. I'd say it's thanks to appreciating small steps, being focused on right things and letting your subconsciousness do the job. Struggle sounds to much negative to describe what I do. :) Regards
How many languages do you speak, my friend? Stuff come much different when you have 3-4 languages done, you know? :) Experienced learner knows what works for him or her and that's it. And of course we don't learn most of stuff you would, because we know we don't need it. :)
Je pensé que ma français ai très bonne! Je l'ai étudié encore pour trois minutes depuis ma dernière commenterie, je croyons que je suis arrivé à un bon niveau de fluence... Hey, by the way : could you tell French ISN'T my first language? Pretty amazing, hey? Just shows you what you can do with talent and a little bit of practice... I'm Italian by the way... Ciao from Milano!
It has been a long time indeed. It is so good to hear from you. Nice video by the way. I agree that speaking is arguably the most difficult part when it comes to learning a foreign language. Struggling is a mild understatement actually. I would have said "Epic Battle" especially with English! ;-))) I hope to see new video soon. Have a nice day, Fabrice from France.
I like your videos Anthony, you're honest where many aren't. The thing I find that has discouraged me is trying to learn a language with another person, we both started at exactly the same time, neither of us knew any other language and straight from the off they were "getting it" waaaay faster than I was. I had the same experience with following along with programs like The Michael Thomas Method, the students they had on those recordings were learning much quicker than I was, and I've heard people say they can't listen to those tapes because the students were too slow to pick it up. I'm much worse than even they are tbh. How do people who say there is no such thing as language learning aptitude explain that? I'm the same way with every method I try... Just shockingly bad.
Hi Anthony, I always check to see if you've made another video. I'm so pleased to be able to watch another one at last. When I discovered your videos they answered so many of the question that I had stored up over a year of learning Polish, questions which I had found no answer to anywhere else. Your insights into the process of learning a language are beautifully free of self promotion and mindless encouragement. Your discouragement today has filled me with enough hope to see me through until the next video. I still haven't started to speak Polish after a year and a half of studying. I study alone for hours every day. I like the pain of learning a language. I feel like i've been on a year and a half long arctic expedition and all I've seen, can see and hope to see for the next few more years is snow. It's nice sometimes to make out vaguely another figure in the distance also struggling through the blizzard. Thank you. Greetings from Kraków.
