From Stumped to Speaking: The Art of Language Learning Through Mistakes

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

This go-to adage for anyone seeking motivation in the face of countless obstacles, could very well describe everyone’s journey in learning their first language. Why? Because there isn’t a person on the planet who has mastered the proper way to speak their native language without making a single mistake.

The process of learning words, refining pronunciation, picking up the proper pace, and anticipating responses from the person you’re talking to—they’re all part of learning a language through mistakes.

But learning a language as a child (which is how the Pimsleur Method™ helps you learn) is quite different from learning a language later in life. And the fear of making mistakes in language learning prevents many people from following through with their language learning goals. At the very least, language learning mistakes can make any learner feel as though they’re not fully grasping key concepts.

But here’s another way to look at it: those common grammar gaffes and syntax snafus are an inevitable part of the process, and embracing mistakes in language learning can actually help you in your linguistic education.

What Are Language Learning Mistakes and Why Do They Matter?

Let’s examine a handful of common errors that new learners often commit while acquiring a language. Then we’ll break down how making mistakes in language learning is actually beneficial.

Common grammar agreement

Application example: “He play baseball.” – “He plays baseball.”

How this mistake helps: Common in childhood (and for adults learning a foreign language), this mistake helps build memory recall. When you contrast your incorrect grammar against that of native speakers, proper grammar usage becomes more obvious. Making this mistake helps you learn to self-correct and adapt while speaking.

Word order errors

Application example: “I told two hours ago her.” – “I told her two hours ago.”

How this mistake helps: Correct word ordering can be tricky for new language learners. But word order is a classic example of the benefits of mistakes in language learning; it illuminates natural pace and cadence, instead of relying on clunky, literal translation.

Pronunciation

Application example: The word nuclear. “NEW-clear.” – “noo-klee-er.”

How this mistake helps: While learning a new language, your vocabulary expands rapidly…at times, too rapidly. For example, English learners approaching new words like “nuclear” rarely pronounce the word correctly at first. It takes a subtle understanding of phonemes (the core elements of words, broken down into base sounds) to eventually nail down proper pronunciation. The contrast of making the mistake with learning the correct pronunciation teaches the learner how to approach new words that have similar patterns.

Faulty verb tense

Application example: “Last Wednesday, I see Bob.” – “Last Wednesday, I saw Bob.”

How this mistake helps: Making mistakes in language learning doesn’t get much more obvious than verb tense. As you’re picking up new words and phrases, you may actually catch yourself using the wrong verb tense, even without native speaker feedback. Whether from self-correction or by learning from expert speakers, this mistake helps pinpoint the correct timing (literally) of any language.

Article omissions

Application example: “Sharon ate at cafe.” – “Sharon ate at the cafe.”

How this mistake helps: Sometimes, the smallest errors help in learning a language through mistakes. Article omissions happen quite frequently in acquiring a new language; you’re so focused on grammar or word order or pronunciation, and you end up skipping the smallest part of a sentence. But this common blunder forces you to provide proper context and structure, ensuring seamless comprehension for short and long phrases.

Embracing Error: Why You Learn a Language Through Mistakes – Not Perfection

Name any legendary figure in any field, and you’ll find a familiar thread: they all became great by learning from their mistakes. Sports? Michael Jordan was cut from his varsity basketball team. Politics? Winston Churchill endured a failed campaign in the First World War and blundered the British economy while Chancellor. Technology? Steve Jobs was fired from Apple.

Embracing mistakes in language learning is no different. You’re going to fail, but those failures are only temporary, as long as you’re making an honest, concerted effort to learn. In fact, you shouldn’t fear or shun linguistic lapses. They’re critical building blocks that’ll help you eventually become a conversational speaker in any language! So forget about sounding awkward in front of native speakers. Those awkward moments when you forget a word, use the wrong tense, or omit an article are the same moments that forge firmer, more automatic processes in your new language.

Mistakes force you to perfect pronunciation, help you gain deeper meaning, form natural language speaking patterns, accelerate fluency, and grow your confidence. It’s true: you can fail your way to success in learning a new language.

From “Stumped” to Speaking: Learning a Language with Pimsleur

Given everything you’ve learned about language learning mistakes, keep in mind that those blunders and errors don’t have to linger long. That’s exactly why Pimsleur is the perfect language learning platform for novice speakers.

We’ll help you quickly identify what you’re doing wrong, and we’ll help turn those weaknesses into strengths. While our audio lessons provide ample speaking opportunities, our Voice Coach with real-time pronunciation feedback can help you move from mistake to mastery. Our proven techniques have helped thousands of learners across the world acquire new languages, and we’d love to help you acquire a new language, too!With the Pimsleur app, you can take your learning anywhere, and make sure those language learning mistakes are acknowledged, processed, and corrected—quickly! Sign up for a Premium or All Access subscription today, and see why we’re a trusted learning partner for businesses, the military, and eager learners just like yourself!