Why I Say “Don’t Aspire to Fluency in Language Learning”

CC subtitles available in multiple languages.

It’s not enough to have a lofty language learning goal like “I want to be fluent”. What matters more is that you focus on what you are going to do every day with the language. Find activities that give you enjoyment and satisfaction, every day. This will ensure constant improvement.

0:00 Focus on the process and not the goal when learning a language.
1:16 Learning a language can be a lonely pursuit.
2:36 The importance of seeking out opportunities to use what you know in your target language.
3:26 The level at which I think fluency has been reached.
4:27 I haven't reached fluency in a number of languages, but I have no regrets about the time I spent with them.

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#languagelearning #languages #polyglot

[Thelinguist]

What are your short and long term language learning goals?

[keithkannenberg]

Your final line is really the answer. We should aspire to fluency - that's a valid, achievable goal. But just don't consider yourself a failure when you haven't gotten there yet. Enjoy the journey.

[kevinjones]

"The majority of language kearners will not reach B2." Steve, thank you for telling us that. It makes me feel better about myself. I am roughly between b1 and b2 in French oral comprehension. I get discouraged because I cannot understand very much when I listen to French news broadcasts. Anyway, thanks. I do listen and read every day, sometimes as much three hours. Cheers.

[Suhnik]

I’ve been learning Japanese, only for 2 1/2 months now. But every or maybe every other week or so, when I watch an anime in Japanese with Japanese subs I get the feeling that I have a somewhat firmer grip on the language so to say, that I understand just a little bit more and am a little bit more comfortable with the sounds and the way sentences are formed and expressed. That always gives me the confidence that despite not feeling like I’m making progress short term, in the long term it WILL lead to improvement, inevitably. That’s really been my key motivation so far.

[J_Trask]

I listened to a Spanish podcast today, and actually understood a lot of it. I feel like the practice is helping to understand more. With about 1 1/2 years steadily being active with the language, I’m able to use what I know on the construction sites I work on. It’s more and more enjoyable to simply talk to another person. Is it awkward, sure a little. My mindset is becoming less fluency for the sake of fluency oriented, and becoming more about knowing enough for sufficient communication oriented. I see this as being a never ending process to enjoy, not “I will never be good enough” trudge to get through.” I am confident enough at this point to make small talk, order food, buy things, and communicate needs on a construction site. It can only get better with time. At the rate I’m going, I can picture myself being very comfortable communicating in another 3 years. And mind you, this is with maybe 30min-1hr daily engaging the language. I’m currently at the point of looking for input that is interesting enough to keep my attention.

[spanishblueprints]

I think every language learner should aspire to fluency. I've noticed that this desired goal is a huge motivation for many language learners. Also, it can spark the desire to learn if someone is not already. Being fixated on fluency can be done in a healthy and fun matter that doesn''t compromise your sanity in my opinion. This was a great video Steve! I love hearing your perspective on all things language learning but especially on the topic of fluency.

[penashe]

Years ago I read in a book about language learning (don't remember the title) that any amount of language learning is worth it, because the result is proportional to the effort you put in - learning to a high level is very useful but takes a lot of time, learning a little only a little. He used the example that the one word "agua" in Spanish would take only a few minutes to learn, but could save your life if your car broke down in the Mexican desert.

Another value of language besides communication is connection, and it's a lot easier to learn enough to connect than to communicate well. Learning several phrases of polite introductory conversation - like greetings, please, thank you, excuse me, how are you, pleasure to meet you, and so on might take only a few days, but can do wonders for connecting with people. A very good return on investment! I've been invited to people's homes for dinner because I spoke a few words of their language. Of course I'd like to become fluent, but all the points along the journey are rewarding.

[Kevin-jcfx]

I just turned 27 and there are still a lot of things I don't know about my native language, French, even though I am often complimented for my good command of that language. For me, if I can listen to most things, read, write, and express myself in a language without feeling like a toddler, then I consider the language acquired and now proceed with the lifelong improvement phase which I am also going through even with my native tongue. Even Shakespeare still had things to learn about English. It's about progression, not perfection.

[polyglotsjourney]

I believe that light reading is the best way to fell this "easy sense of the achievement" that you were talking about. Even reading a comics in the target language or trying to understand the headlines in newspapers works for me at least and give the incentive to keep working on my language skills. 😊

[Claratiger]

Having studied over 60 languages, I'm so happy to watch this video :)

[honey]

My moms lived in america for as long as I’ve been alive, the other day she asked me to explain an English word she never heard. It makes sense that she would have never encountered the word, it was some medical term that’s never used but I used to study some medical text. There’s no way to know everything, not even in your first language

[SailorStudent]

Thank you for your videos Steve! It’s been really helpful and brought me to new comprehensions in language learning. ✨❤️

[Zenosigma]

Hi Steve. You're absolutely right...I'm a former Montessori teacher and fluent in 6 languages...my kids learned 5 languages by the age of 5 .. my 10 years old daughter is reading, writing, speaking in 6 languages fluent .. I'd love to get in touch with you ..

[caroveganec]

Thank you for your wonderful content. Btw, I love the bookshelf. I hope you bring it back. 😃

[andrewgray]

I was happy to see the quote from Kató Lomb! I've observed in my own language-learning experience and in that of my students that basic knowledge of a language can enrich you profoundly. I once had a student, a high school senior who was a motivated and talented language learner, who asked me to sponsor an independent study project on a Native American language. At some point it became clear to him what I knew from the start: that he was not going to go far in one year of independent study, particularly given the difficulty of the language and the paucity of resources on it. But his efforts to get a basic sense of the language allowed him to grow a lot as a language learner and granted him rich knowledge and appreciation of indigenous American languages, language preservation efforts, Native American history, and related topics. In my own experience, sometimes languages stick and become a part of me, sometimes they don't. Russian stuck, Norwegian didn't, for instance. But like Steve, I don't regret spending time on the ones that I haven't gone far in. I learned a bit about Norway, I can recognize the language, I can read with a dictionary, and for now I'm happy with that. I hope to go back to Norwegian some day, and it will be easy for me to rebuild on my modest base in the language. In short, I wholeheartedly agree with the idea that a "language is the only thing worth knowing even poorly."

[johnnymax]

Just wanted to say I have been watching you on and off for a couple of years and I really appreciate you and your Content. Stay healthy greetings from germany

[agustinalarriera]

Beautiful message Steve, thanks a lot!! Very necessary, and, even it´s simple, it is not something common to hear! Bravo! I do agree!!

[SekaiNoGaijin]

I am really struggling with the language of my new country and your channel gave me hope and rekindled my interest. Thank you!

[blindknitter]

You're definitely my favourite language geek! I love how non gimmicky you are, and that you come across as a solid, honest fellow traveller, or someone trying to sell me on a scheme. Thanks for this, it's helpful.

[marcelosilveira]

I've observed that in French, the mere ability to begin comprehending advanced material like films brings me a sense of satisfaction. However, I don't have a desire to live and work in France.