Stop Asking “Am I Fluent?”, Your Goal Might Be All Wrong From the Start

We’ve all asked ourselves this question, probably more than a hundred times:

“When exactly will I be able to speak fluent English?” “Why, after all this time studying, do I still not feel ‘fluent’ enough?”

This question looms like a massive mountain over every language learner. We always feel that at its summit lies an ultimate treasure called “fluency”, and once we reach it, all our problems will simply vanish.

But what if I told you that this mountain might not exist at all?

Today, let’s try a different approach. Stop seeing language learning as mountain climbing; instead, imagine it as learning to cook.

What Kind of “Chef” Are You?

When you first start cooking, you might only be able to boil instant noodles and fry an egg. That’s perfectly fine; at least you won’t starve. This is akin to when you first learn to order a coffee or ask for directions in a foreign language – it’s the “survival” stage.

Gradually, you learn a few signature dishes. Think scrambled eggs with tomatoes, Coca-Cola chicken wings… you can show off your skills to friends and family at home, and everyone enjoys the meal. This is like being able to hold everyday conversations with foreign friends; even if you occasionally use the wrong word or make a grammatical error (like adding a bit too much salt when cooking), communication is generally smooth.

At this point, that annoying question inevitably pops up again: “Am I considered a ‘fluent’ chef?”

We often think that “fluency” means becoming a Michelin three-star chef. It’s about mastering French cuisine, Japanese food, Sichuan cuisine, Cantonese cuisine… being able to whip up a perfect sauce with your eyes closed, and having an encyclopaedic knowledge of all ingredients.

Is this realistic? Of course not. Pursuing this kind of “perfection” will only lead to immense stress, ultimately making you give up cooking entirely.

True “Fluency” Is About Becoming a Confident “Home Chef”

A good home chef doesn’t aim for perfection; they strive for connection.

They might be best at home-style cooking, but occasionally dare to try making a Tiramisu. They might not know a specific professional term, but they understand how to combine ingredients to make a meal truly delicious. Most importantly, they can host a successful dinner party – friends gather around a table, enjoy the food, and chat happily. The meal’s purpose is achieved.

This is the true goal of language learning.

• Fluidity > Absolute Accuracy When a home chef is cooking and finds they’re out of soy sauce, they don’t just freeze. They’ll think: “Can I use a bit of salt and sugar instead?” And so, the dish continues to be made, and the dinner party isn’t interrupted. It’s the same with language learning: when you get stuck, do you stop and painstakingly search for the “perfect” word, or do you find another way to express your meaning and keep the conversation going? Keeping the conversation flowing is more important than every single word being perfect.

• Comprehension & Interaction A good chef not only knows how to cook but also understands their “diners”. Do they prefer spicy or sweet? Is anyone allergic to peanuts? Is the meal for a birthday celebration or a business dinner? This determines what dishes you’ll make. “Interaction” in language is this kind of “emotional intelligence”. You not only need to understand the words someone says but also grasp their unspoken emotions and underlying meanings. The core of communication is never just language; it’s about people.

Ditch the Obsession with “Native Speakers”

“I want to speak like a native speaker.” This statement is like a chef saying: “I want to cook exactly like a Michelin chef.”

Not only is this unrealistic, but it also ignores a fundamental truth: there’s no single, unified “native speaker” standard. A British London accent, an American Texan accent, an Australian accent… they are all native speakers, yet sound completely different. Just like a Sichuan cuisine master and a Cantonese cuisine master – they are both top Chinese chefs, but their styles are vastly different.

Your goal isn’t to become a copy of someone else; it’s to become yourself. Your accent is part of your unique identity; as long as your pronunciation is clear and you can communicate effectively, that’s quite enough.

So, How Do You Become a More Confident “Home Chef”?

The answer is simple: cook more, host more.

You can’t just watch without practising. Simply studying recipes (memorising vocabulary, learning grammar) is useless; you have to step into the kitchen and try it yourself. Invite friends over for a meal (find people to talk to), even if it’s just the simplest dish at first (the simplest conversation).

Many people will say: “I’m afraid of messing up, what if others don’t like it?” (Or, “I’m afraid of making mistakes, what if others laugh at me?”)

This fear is completely normal. Fortunately, now we have tools that can help you. Imagine if you had a smart assistant in your kitchen that could translate your “diners’” needs in real-time and remind you about the cooking temperature – wouldn’t you then dare to try things more boldly?

Intent is precisely such a tool. It’s a chat app with built-in AI translation, allowing you to communicate seamlessly with anyone in any corner of the world. You no longer have to hesitate for fear of not understanding or not being able to express yourself clearly. It’s like your kitchen ace, helping you handle the minor technical hurdles so you can focus on the inherent joy of “cooking and sharing” – which is the pleasure of true communication.

So, from today onwards, stop agonising over “Am I fluent?”

Instead, ask yourself a better question:

“Today, who do I want to ‘share a meal’ with?”

Your goal isn’t to become an unattainable “Michelin chef”, but a happy and confident “home chef” who can use language, this “delicious meal”, to warm themselves and connect with others.

Head over to https://intent.app/ now and start preparing your first “international dinner party”.