Stop Asking, "Am I Fluent Yet?"; Your Goal Might Have Been Misguided From the Very Beginning.

We've all posed this question to ourselves, perhaps countless times over:

"When will I truly be able to speak fluent English?" "Why, after learning for so long, do I still feel I'm not 'fluent'?"

This question weighs heavily on the mind of every language learner. We often feel there's an ultimate prize called 'fluency' at the top of a mountain, and once we reach it, all our troubles will vanish.

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

Today, let's approach this differently. Stop seeing language learning as an uphill climb; instead, imagine it as learning to cook.

What Kind of "Chef" Are You?

When you first start learning to cook, you might only know how to boil instant noodles and fry an egg. That's perfectly alright; at least you won't go hungry. This is akin to when you've just learned to order a coffee or ask for directions in a foreign language – this is the 'survival' stage.

Gradually, you learn to whip up a few specialities. Think Tomato Scrambled Eggs, Coke Chicken Wings... You can display your culinary skills for friends and family at home, and everyone genuinely enjoys the meal. This is like being able to have everyday conversations with foreign friends; although you might occasionally use the wrong word or make grammatical errors (like adding a tad too much salt when cooking), communication generally flows smoothly.

At this point, that nagging question resurfaces: "Am I considered a 'fluent' chef?"

We often think that 'fluency' means becoming a Michelin three-star chef. It implies mastering French cuisine, Japanese cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Cantonese cuisine… being able to whip up perfect sauces with your eyes closed, and possessing an encyclopaedic knowledge of every ingredient's properties.

Is that realistic? No, certainly not. Pursuing this kind of 'perfection' will only cause immense stress, ultimately leading you to abandon cooking altogether.

True "Fluency" Means Becoming a Confident "Home Chef"

A good home chef doesn't aim for perfection; their goal is connection.

They might excel at everyday home-style cooking, but occasionally dare to try making a Tiramisu. They might not know every professional culinary term, but they understand how to combine ingredients to make a meal flavourful and satisfying. Most importantly, they can host a successful dinner party — friends gathered around a table, enjoying the food and chatting happily. The objective of the meal has been met.

This is the true objective of language learning.

• Fluidity > Absolute Accuracy A home chef, while cooking, if they realise they're out of soy sauce, doesn't just stand there dumbfounded. They'll think, "Can I make do with a bit of salt and sugar?" And so, the dish continues, and the dinner party isn't disrupted. It's the same with language learning: when you get stuck for words, do you stop and rack your brains for that '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 'patrons'. Do they have a preference for spicy or sweet? Is anyone allergic to peanuts? Is the meal for a birthday celebration or a business engagement? This determines what dishes you prepare. 'Interaction' in language is precisely this kind of 'emotional intelligence (EQ)'. You not only need to understand the words someone says, but also the unspoken emotions and subtext. The essence of communication has never been merely about language; it's profoundly about people.

Ditch the 'Native Speaker' Fixation

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

It's not just unrealistic; it also overlooks a crucial fact: there simply isn't a unified 'native speaker' standard. A British London accent, an American Texan accent, an Australian accent… they are all native speakers, but they sound distinctly different. Just like a master of Sichuan cuisine and a master of Cantonese cuisine – they are both top Chinese chefs, yet possess vastly different styles.

Your aim isn't to be a replica of someone else, but to be your authentic self. Your accent is part of your unique identity; as long as your pronunciation is clear and you can communicate effectively, that suffices.

So, How Does One Become a More Confident "Home Chef"?

The answer is straightforward: cook more, invite more people over.

You can't just watch and not practice. Merely studying recipes (memorising vocabulary, learning grammar) is futile; you must get into the kitchen and try it yourself. Invite friends over for a meal (find people to converse with), even if it's just the simplest dishes (the simplest conversations) to begin with.

Many would say, "I'm afraid I'll mess it up; what if others don't enjoy the food?" (I'm afraid of making mistakes; what if others make fun of me?)

This fear is quite natural. Fortunately, we now have tools to assist you. Imagine if you had a smart assistant in your kitchen that could real-time translate your 'patrons'' needs and even advise on the cooking temperature – wouldn't you feel more confident to experiment boldly?

Intent is precisely such a tool. It's a chat app with built-in AI translation, enabling you to communicate seamlessly with anyone from any corner of the world. You no longer need to hesitate out of fear of not understanding or not being able to express yourself clearly. It acts as your 'ultimate kitchen assistant', helping you sort out minor technical niggles so you can focus on enjoying the sheer pleasure of 'cooking and sharing' itself – which is, the joy of communication.

Hence, from today onwards, stop fixating on "Am I fluent yet?".

Ask yourself a more pertinent question:

"Today, who do I want to 'have a meal' with?"

Your goal isn't to become an unattainable "Michelin chef," but to become a happy and confident "home chef" who, using language as a delightful "cuisine", can warm hearts and connect with others.

Head over to https://intent.app/ now and explore, to kickstart your very first "international dinner party".