Why, Despite All Your Hard Work Learning a Foreign Language, Are You Still Struggling to Speak It?

Do you ever get this feeling?

You've downloaded every language learning app on the market, collected countless tips from "gurus", and diligently memorise vocabulary and drill exercises every day. You feel you’ve put in 100% effort, but what’s the outcome?

The moment you meet a foreigner, your mind goes blank, and after a long struggle, you can only manage to squeeze out a "Hello, how are you?". That feeling of frustration truly makes you want to give up.

So where exactly does the problem lie?

Today, I want to share a method with you that might completely revolutionise your thinking. Let's not talk about language yet; let's talk about cooking.

Are You a "Recipe Copier" or a True "Master Chef"?

Imagine you want to learn to make Braised Pork Belly.

The first type of person, we'll call them the "Recipe Copier". They will strictly follow the recipe: cut the meat into 3cm pieces, add 2 spoons of soy sauce, 1 spoon of sugar, and simmer for 45 minutes. Not one step more, not one step less. The dish might turn out quite good. But the problem is, if they don't have enough soy sauce at home today, or the heat is a bit too high, they're completely stumped and don't know what to do. They can only ever replicate, never create.

The second type of person, we'll call them the "Master Chef". A "Master Chef" also looks at recipes, but they are more concerned with why. Why blanch the meat first? (To remove impurities and a strong odour.) Why caramelise the sugar? (For colour and enhanced flavour.) Why reduce the sauce over high heat at the end? (To make the flavour richer.)

Because they understand these underlying principles, "Master Chefs" can apply their knowledge broadly. They can adjust the recipe based on available ingredients, adapt the taste to suit family preferences, and even create their own unique dishes.

Now, back to language learning.

Many people learn a foreign language like the "Recipe Copier". They mechanically follow the app's instructions, learning whatever the textbook dictates, but never ask "why". They are merely passively receiving information rather than actively building ability.

Those who truly learn quickly and effectively are the "Master Chefs" of language learning. They have grasped the underlying principles of learning.

This "master chef mindset" will completely change your learning in three ways.

1. Become Your Own "Head Chef": From "Just Doing as Told" to "Knowing Why You're Doing It"

"Recipe Copier" learners hand over control of their learning to textbooks or apps. They think, "As long as I finish this book, I'll have learned it."

But "Master Chef" learners put themselves at the centre. They ask:

• Is this grammar point important for what I want to express right now?
• Are these words I'm memorising today something I can use immediately?
• Will this exercise really help me improve my spoken language?

When you start asking "why", you transform from a passive executor into an active planner. You begin to consciously choose the most suitable "ingredients" (learning materials) and "cooking methods" (learning approaches). Whether it's watching a film or listening to music, you can turn it into a purposeful and efficient practice session.

You are no longer a slave to learning, but the master of your learning.

2. Forgive That "Burnt Toast": Cultivating a "Chef's Composure"

True chefs know that messing up is common. Too much salt, scorched fish, soup boiled dry... this is perfectly normal. What do they do? Do they feel worthless and vow never to enter the kitchen again?

Of course not. They shrug their shoulders and say to themselves, "Right, I'll pay attention next time." Then they discard the failed attempt and start again.

But when we're learning a foreign language, we are incredibly self-critical.

We missed a daily check-in because we were busy with work, and we feel like a complete failure. We can't recall a word when talking to someone, and we feel utterly stupid. We attack ourselves with the harshest words, as if we've committed a colossal mistake.

Please remember: Making mistakes is the most normal and necessary part of the learning process. Just like burnt toast, it doesn't mean you're a bad chef; it's just a minor slip-up.

Having a "chef's composure" means you can calmly accept your imperfections. If you miss a day, make it up the next. If you say a word wrong, just laugh it off and continue. This strong self-compassion will help you go further and more steadily.

3. Carefully Select Your "Ingredients": Make Smarter Learning Decisions

Have you ever planned to spend an entire afternoon learning a foreign language, only for the time to pass and you feel like you've accomplished nothing?

This is often because we are like a chef without a plan, with all the ingredients piled up in the kitchen, flustered and rushed, not knowing what to do first. We overestimate ourselves, trying to complete listening, reading, and writing simultaneously within an hour, resulting in scattered attention and extremely low efficiency.

A smart "Master Chef" has a clear goal before cooking: today, I will make a perfect pasta dish. Then, they will focus on this goal, preparing only the necessary ingredients and tools.

Learning is the same. Before you start, ask yourself: "What is my core goal for this hour?"

• Do I want to understand the use of the "past perfect tense"? Then focus on grammar explanations and do a few targeted exercises.
• Do I want to practise ordering food in spoken language? Then find relevant dialogues and loudly mimic and repeat them.

Do only one thing at a time. Clear goals will guide you to make the smartest decisions, ensuring every minute of your effort is put to best use.

Becoming a "Master Chef" of language learning means not only understanding the theory but also getting your hands dirty in the kitchen yourself – which means starting to speak.

Many people's biggest obstacle is: "I'm afraid of making mistakes, and I can't find anyone to practise with!"

This is like someone who wants to learn to cook but is afraid of ruining the dish and thus never dares to light the stove. Fortunately, technology has given us a perfect "simulated kitchen".

If you're looking for a pressure-free partner you can practise with anytime, anywhere, try Intent. It's a chat app with built-in AI translation that allows you to make friends with people all over the world. When you get stuck or don't know how to express yourself, its real-time translation feature acts like a friendly "sous-chef", immediately giving you a hand so you can keep the conversation flowing smoothly.

It's in these real conversations that you can truly "taste" the language, gauge your learning progress, and make rapid improvements.

Click here to start your "Master Chef" journey.

Stop being an apprentice who only copies recipes. From today, pick up your "spatula" and become the "Head Chef" of your own language learning. You are fully capable of cooking up a delicious language feast for yourself.