{"id":21554,"date":"2020-11-23T08:05:45","date_gmt":"2020-11-23T13:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.pimsleur.com\/?p=21554"},"modified":"2025-11-21T13:18:54","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T18:18:54","slug":"language-mistakes-to-make","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/language-mistakes-to-make\/","title":{"rendered":"Fail Your Way to Success: The 5 Best\u2014and Worst\u2014Language Mistakes to Make"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why You Need to Make Mistakes to Learn a Language <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Making Language Mistakes Can be Painful <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve lived in Brazil for over a year now, and I still feel embarrassed when I forget how to say, \u201cIt was nice to meet you.\u201d in Portuguese. I regularly try to tell stories to my friends and find that no one understands. There\u2019s a real shame when you tell a joke and no one gets it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I find myself apologizing to strangers (\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m still learning!\u201d) or thanking them for their patience. I often joke that I lose about 30 IQ points in Portuguese and that Estou engra\u00e7ado em ingl\u00eas\u2014prometo!<\/em> (“I\u2019m funny in English\u2014I promise!”)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we learn a language, we\u2019re constantly confronted by how much we don\u2019t <\/em>know. The discomfort of making mistakes is, I think, one of the reasons so many students give up learning a language: they want to be perfect from day one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That desire to be perfect doesn\u2019t help us. Many factors make great language learners<\/a>, but it turns out a big one is the willingness to make mistakes<\/em><\/a>. There\u2019s a bunch of research on this: mistakes actually make us smarter<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But only certain kinds of mistakes. <\/em>Others can hold you back from learning successfully. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, I\u2019ll explain which is which: the language mistakes you should <\/em>make that will supercharge your learning and the ones you should avoid at all costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Language Mistakes You Absolutely Should<\/em> Make<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Grammar Mistakes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Grammar mistakes are good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, first, you make grammar mistakes when you\u2019re using <\/em>a language\u2014when you\u2019re speaking or writing. Making grammar mistakes is a sign that you\u2019re actually practicing. That practice will ultimately lead to better language use and, eventually, fewer grammatical errors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, evidence shows that we internalize learning better<\/a> when we get it wrong the first time. So mistakes actually make learning more efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, remember that the point of learning a language is to communicate. If you can communicate with someone in a second language, you\u2019re winning\u2014even if you\u2019re making a bunch of mistakes. Don\u2019t worry so much about grammar. It will come with time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Speaking Poorly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No matter which language you are learning\u2014from learning your mother tongue as a baby to speaking a second, third, or fourth language\u2014you will begin speaking poorly. We all start at the beginning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key is to keep practicing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice will give you the self-confidence to communicate better and more naturally without so many pauses or searching for words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine you\u2019re a scientist. When scientists make mistakes, they often learn something new and useful. That’s why science writer Adam Frank says mistakes are \u201cthe essence of scientific heroism<\/a>\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, speak poorly: use the wrong words, have bad pronunciation, and use the wrong tones. But keep speaking. That\u2019s how you\u2019ll learn and get better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Have an Accent<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the language you are learning, the accent of your native language may cause you to pronounce certain words in a way that is quite different from native speakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, I can\u2019t pronounce the \u201cr\u201d in Portuguese<\/a>. Or in French<\/a>. Or in Spanish<\/a>. My mouth just doesn\u2019t move like that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that\u2019s okay. Your accent tells a lot about your history, culture, and roots. Why speak like a Parisian if you were never born or raised in Paris? Sure, you want people to understand you. But you don\u2019t need to \u201close\u201d your accent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work on your pronunciation so that you can speak clearly, but don’t spend much time worrying about your accent. Spoiler alert: everyone has an accent<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Feel Silly in Front of Strangers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In my experience, you will feel at least a bit <\/em>silly roughly 90% of the time you are speaking another language. That\u2019s just how it works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the truth is that no one is judging you. Everyone knows that learning a language is difficult. You are much more likely to arouse empathy than judgment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lean into that feeling of discomfort. It\u2019s good. It shows you\u2019re getting outside your comfort zone and that\u2019s how you grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you\u2019re really <\/em>bothered by feeling silly in front of strangers, you can just take your language practice online<\/a>. Apps like HelloTalk<\/a>, HelloPal<\/a>, and Tandem<\/a> can help you find a virtual conversation partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the best thing about language exchange? You get to speak half in your native tongue. So you get to feel silly half the time, and then it’s your partner\u2019s turn to feel silly. It balances out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Find the Wrong Study Methods<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Testing out and experimenting with different study methods will help you find one that actually is a great fit for your needs and goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re all different. A method that works for hundreds of others <\/i>may not be the best for you. You will only discover what works best for you through trial and error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a method focusing on organic, fast, and targeted learning, try the Pimsleur method<\/a>. You may find that it is exactly what you were looking for. You can get your Free 7-day Trial<\/a> with unlimited access to all levels in the language of your choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Worst Language Mistakes You Can Make<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Not Making a Plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You won\u2019t accomplish your language goals if you don\u2019t have a direction or plan. As a language teacher, I\u2019ve consistently seen that the most successful students are those who have developed a language learning strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So don\u2019t just wing it. Instead, create an at-home language immersion program<\/a> for yourself. Then keep track of your language progress<\/a> and readjust as necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Avoiding Conversation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t emphasize enough the importance of practicing<\/em> your language. Listening, reading, and writing are all great. But it\u2019s very important to actually speak it<\/em> with others, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will only<\/em> get good at speaking a language by actually speaking it<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t be afraid to communicate. If in-person conversations are a bit intimidating, try online conversations. (Our tips for a successful online language exchange<\/a> may be useful to you). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Doing Boring Activities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your study can get boring when you get too attached to grammar exercises, vocabulary lists, or language books. What happens then? Your attention may drift, and eventually, you may spend less actual time learning the language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The secret to learning a language<\/a> is to find activities you love to do. <\/em>These are things you would enjoy doing even <\/em>if you don\u2019t really understand the language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can make anything a language activity: watching TV shows on Netflix (with subtitles in the language you\u2019re learning), listening to podcasts<\/a>, watching TV<\/a>, listening to music<\/a>, cooking<\/a>, or even video games<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key is to learn how to build language learning into your routine<\/a> with activities you want <\/em>to do. Doing things you love will motivate you to continue\u2014even when it\u2019s hard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Relying on a Teacher<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s true that a good language class or tutor can greatly improve learning performance, but that doesn\u2019t mean you should rely on your teacher to learn a language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLearning\u201d is an active verb\u2014it\u2019s you<\/em> who does the learning. And ultimately, it\u2019s you <\/em>who will become fluent or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be a passive language learner,<\/strong> and don\u2019t over-rely on your language classes or tutor. Doing so will really limit your success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Not Giving Yourself Enough Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Learning a language takes time. According to the US Foreign Service Institute<\/a>, it can take up to 750 hours to achieve fluency in languages that are similar to English like Danish<\/a> and Dutch<\/a>. It can take much longer for languages that are very dissimilar to English\u2014Japanese<\/a> can take up to 2,200 hours of study and practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you really focus, learning a language in a year is realistic. But you\u2019ll have to engage with your language for at least an hour a day to do that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That seems like a lot of time\u2014and it is\u2014but part of the reason that learning a language is so rewarding. You have to invest in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So give yourself enough time. Build sufficient time for language learning into your plan and schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn to Love Your Language Mistakes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Accept that you’ll make language mistakes if you truly want to speak a new language. Lots of them. Thinking you have to be perfect is one of the myths that actually can get in the way of your learning<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that your mistakes show you\u2019re growing. Learning becomes an achievement rather than a burden when we see our mistakes as signs of progress. And we become kinder to ourselves, which helps us persevere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Real growth is impossible without effort, discomfort, sweat, and perhaps even tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So lean into them. Rather than avoid mistakes, actively try to make them. And then notice how much your language improves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn<\/strong> a<\/strong> Language With Pimsleur<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Pimsleur is designed to be integrated into your daily life \u2013 you don\u2019t have to go searching for those extra 30 minutes per day\u2026 This means that you could be speaking a new language 30 days from now just by washing the dishes\u2026 or walking the dog\u2026 or going for a run! You get immediate access to your lessons, and with our 30-day money-back guarantee, you can start learning with total peace of mind.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try a free week<\/a> of our proven Pimsleur method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or test-drive a Free Lesson<\/a> right now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why You Need to Make Mistakes to Learn a Language Making Language Mistakes Can be Painful  I\u2019ve lived in Brazil for over a year now, and I still feel embarrassed when I forget how to say, \u201cIt was nice to meet you.\u201d in Portuguese. 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