Stop Rote Learning! Learning a Language is More Like Being a Foodie
Does this sound familiar?
You’ve worn out your vocabulary books, logged 365 days on language apps, yet the moment you encounter a native speaker, your mind goes blank, and all you can muster is a hesitant "Hello, how are you?"
We often treat language learning as a chore, much like that dreaded maths class at school – riddled with formulas, rules, and exams. We frantically memorise vocabulary and drill grammar, convinced that once every “knowledge point” is conquered, the doors to the language will simply swing open.
Treat Language as an Exotic Feast
Imagine you’ve developed a strong interest in French cuisine. What would you do?
A poor student would rush out to buy 'The Complete Guide to French Ingredients', diligently memorising every single name – "thyme", "rosemary", "veal sweetbreads" – until they knew them by heart. And what would be the outcome? They still wouldn't be able to prepare a decent French dish, nor could they even discern its essence.
This is precisely like our approach to language learning: merely frantic memorisation of vocabulary lists. We recognise countless isolated "ingredients", yet we've never truly "cooked" or "tasted" them.
What would a true foodie do?
They'd start by tasting. They'd walk into an authentic French restaurant and order a classic Beef Bourguignon. They'd savour the rich sauce, the tender beef, and the complex aromas.
Then, curiosity would kick in: What's the story behind this dish? Why do Burgundy dishes taste this way? They'd watch documentaries about French gastronomy and delve into the local culture and terroir.
Finally, they'd roll up their sleeves, step into the kitchen, and attempt to replicate the dish themselves. The first time, they might scorch the pan; the second, perhaps add too much salt. But that's perfectly fine, because each attempt deepens their understanding of the dish.
What Your Language Learning is Missing: Flavour
See, this is the true essence of language learning.
- Vocabulary and grammar are like the "ingredients" and "cooking steps" in a recipe. They are important, but they are not everything.
- Culture, history, music, and cinema are the "terroir" and "soul" of a language. They give the language its unique "flavour".
- To speak up and dare to make mistakes is your own process of "cooking in the kitchen". It doesn't matter if you burn the dish; what's important is that you learn from the experience and enjoy the pleasure of creation.
So, stop treating language as a subject to be conquered. Instead, see it as an exotic feast that sparks your curiosity.
Want to learn Japanese? Go watch films by Hirokazu Kore-eda, listen to music by Ryuichi Sakamoto, and explore the aesthetic of "wabi-sabi". Want to learn Spanish? Immerse yourself in the passion of Flamenco, read Gabriel García Márquez's magical realism.
When you begin to savour the culture behind a language, those dry words and grammar rules will suddenly become vivid and meaningful.
Find a 'Language Buddy' and Savour the Feast Together
Of course, "dining" alone can be a bit solitary, and progress tends to be slower. The best approach is to find an authentic "language buddy" – a native speaker to "savour" and "cook" with you.
"But finding a foreigner to chat with feels like trying to get a Michelin-starred chef to train you – it's just too difficult!"
Don't worry, technology has opened up new possibilities. Tools like Intent are your ultimate "gastronomic guide" and "kitchen assistant".
It's a chat app that connects you with friends from all over the world. What's more, its built-in AI translation acts like a thoughtful "sous-chef", always ready to lend a hand when you can't find the right "seasoning" (words). This allows you to shed all your inhibitions and boldly chat, experience, and learn the vibrant language you'd never pick up from textbooks.
From today, stop being a "word-memorising machine" and try being a language "foodie".
Explore, taste, and enjoy. Embrace every "mess-up" as merely a minor interlude before creating something truly delicious.
You'll discover that language learning can actually be incredibly flavourful.