Three Fatal Mistakes to Avoid When Learning a New Language

By TravelWiseSep 7, 2012 18:17 PMOther
Share:
Three Fatal Mistakes to Avoid When Learning a New Language
Three Fatal Mistakes to Avoid When Learning a New Language

I’ve always enjoyed learning a new language. Whenever I travel to a new country I try and pick up a few moments, but I have a problem; after the years in Indonesia I can’t speak the language. Right now in fact I’m sitting at home trying to read an Indonesian newspaper. It should be a piece of cake, but it’s not. So if you want to avoid my problem, here are three fatal mistakes to avoid when trying to learn a new language.

1)   Laziness, pure and simple. To learn a new language you need to practice it, use it and build on it. Two years ago I just gave up. I reached that point where I’d learnt all I needed to know to make my life comfortable. In almost any social situation I can get by. If I meet an Indonesian they’ll praise my knowledge of their language, but I know four-year olds who have a bigger vocabulary than me. There are huge gaps in my knowledge of the language, which means a conversation might instantly dry up if I don’t understand the topic.

This laziness has been topped off with frustration that comes from my attempts to learn a new language. Unlike most European languages, like Spanish, which I learnt in Peru, I find it impossible to pronounce some words. My mouth just doesn’t seem to make the right shapes. It’s like the dentist has just given me an injection. My tongue hangs heavy in my mouth and when I try and speak jumbled words come tumbling out.

2)   Everyone knows English. Ok, that’s quite an arrogant statement, but almost everyone has a smattering of the language, and the more educated they are the better their language skills. The less English the person knows the more they want to practice. This can make it hard for me to kearn a new language when the lazy option is just resorting to English.

3)   One of the biggest pitfalls I’ve found to trying to learn a new language is relationships. Whenever I get into a new relationship with a person from the country I’m living in they can speak English. This makes me incredibly lazy when it comes to trying to learn a new language because I have a translator.

On the other hand though, when I travel with someone who speaks less of the local lingo than I do this problem fades rapidly away. Through necessity I find myself as the translator and other people looking to me to make their life easier.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Modern hotel room interior with bed, TV, and window view in Riyadh

New Radisson Blu Hotel Enhances Accommodation Options in Riyadh

Jul 30, 2025 23:37 PM
Cozy hotel room with wooden headboard and framed artwork above the bed

NH Collection Palermo Palazzo Sitano Opens in Historic City Center

Jul 30, 2025 21:45 PM

Qatar Airways Boosts Winter Flights to Key Global Destinations

Jul 30, 2025 19:22 PM

ScotRail Boosts Late-Night Services to Ease Travel During Edinburgh Festivals

Jul 30, 2025 07:38 AM
Passenger using smartphone during flight

Two Tickets in One Click: JetBlue and United Simplify Complex Routes

Jul 29, 2025 23:43 PM
Bedroom interior with bedside table and lamp

Florø Prepares to Expand Accommodation Options for Visitors

Jul 29, 2025 21:36 PM
Southwest Airlines aircraft ascending with snowy mountains in the background

Southwest Changes Boarding Rules and Adds New Winter Destinations for 2026

Jul 29, 2025 19:28 PM
Modern hotel room with double bed, armchair, and wall art

Hyatt Centric Anjuna Goa to Open in Town Center, Bringing New Stay Option to Anjuna

Jul 29, 2025 17:42 PM
Woman checking travel information on her phone during a flight

Philippine Airlines Introduces Pre-Flight Emails with Essential Travel Details

Jul 29, 2025 02:35 AM

Weekend Engineering Works to Affect Rail Access Between Stalybridge and Dewsbury

Jul 28, 2025 23:25 PM

New Non-Stop Route from Cape Town Opens Up Mauritius for Travelers

Jul 28, 2025 21:32 PM
A woman using her smartphone while sitting on public transport

East Midlands Railway Cuts Fares on Summer Routes Across UK

Jul 28, 2025 20:47 PM
Person using smartphone at airport

New Ryanair System Changes How Travellers Book Through Agencies

Jul 28, 2025 16:26 PM
Modern hotel room with large window and city view

Holiday Inn Express Brings Overnight Option to Changanassery’s Lively Local Streets

Jul 28, 2025 14:33 PM
American Airlines aircraft preparing for departure on the runway

Denver Departure Chaos: American Airlines Flight Evacuated After Smoke Alert

Jul 27, 2025 23:54 PM

Malaysia and Indonesia Open New Direct Air Routes to Simplify Travel to Borneo

Jul 27, 2025 20:31 PM

Rail Disruptions in Liguria: RFI Construction Projects Will Impact August Travel

Jul 26, 2025 23:41 PM
Condor Airbus A330neo with green and white striped livery on airport runway

New daily Condor flights reshape the flight map of Europe

Jul 26, 2025 21:37 PM
Airplane flying overhead against a partly cloudy sky

Gdańsk Opens New Direct Route to Agadir, Simplifying Travel to Morocco’s Coast

Jul 26, 2025 20:26 PM
China Airlines Airbus in flight with clear sky background

New Direct Flights Connect Taipei and Phoenix, Expanding Access to Southwest U.S. Destinations

Jul 26, 2025 19:43 PM
Rail maintenance machinery working on tracks in South Wales

South Wales Rail Upgrades to Impact Travel Access in Early August

Jul 26, 2025 18:39 PM
easyJet aircraft on airport tarmac with boarding stairs

Euro Final in the Sky: easyJet to Announce Scores to Passengers During Flights

Jul 25, 2025 23:27 PM

Expect Delays: Leicester–Peterborough Line Closed 2 and 3 August

Jul 25, 2025 21:34 PM

Steam-Powered Day Trips from London Unlock Access to Britain’s Hidden Landscapes

Jul 25, 2025 20:42 PM
WestJet airplane in flight against a blue sky

New Air Partnership Opens More Direct Travel Routes Between North America and Africa

Jul 25, 2025 15:28 PM
Wizz Air aircraft approaching landing in clear sky

New Wizz Air Flights Open Southern Europe to Gdańsk Travellers

Jul 25, 2025 10:35 AM