Stop Asking "Am I Fluent?" Your Goal Might Have Been Wrong from the Beginning

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

"When will I finally speak fluent English?" "Why, after studying for so long, do I still feel I'm not 'fluent'?"

This question weighs on every language learner like a heavy mountain. We always feel that at the summit lies an ultimate treasure called "fluency," and once we reach it, all our problems will be solved.

But what if I told you, this mountain might not even exist?

Today, let's change our perspective. Stop viewing language learning as mountain climbing; instead, imagine it as learning to cook.

What Kind of "Cook" Are You?

When you first start cooking, you might only be able to boil instant noodles and fry eggs. That's fine; at least you won't starve. This is like when you first learn to order a coffee or ask for directions in a foreign language—that's the "survival" stage.

Gradually, you learn a few signature dishes. Stir-fried tomatoes with eggs, Coke 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 have everyday conversations with foreign friends. While you might occasionally use the wrong word or make grammatical mistakes (like adding a bit too much salt to a dish), communication is generally smooth.

At this point, that annoying question pops up again: "Am I considered a 'fluent' cook?"

We often think "fluency" means becoming a Michelin three-star chef. Mastering French cuisine, Japanese food, Sichuanese, Cantonese... Being able to perfectly blend sauces with your eyes closed, knowing the characteristics of all ingredients inside and out.

Is this realistic? Of course not. Chasing this kind of "perfection" will only stress you out immensely, ultimately making you give up cooking entirely.

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

A good home cook doesn't pursue perfection; what they pursue is connection.

They might be best at home-style cooking, but occasionally dare to try making tiramisu. They might not know a specific technical term, but they understand how to combine ingredients to make a meal flavorful and delicious. Most importantly, they can host a successful dinner party—friends gathered around a table, enjoying good food and cheerful conversation. The purpose of that meal has been achieved.

This is the true goal of language learning.

• Fluidity > Absolute Accuracy When a home cook is preparing a dish and discovers they're out of soy sauce, they don't just freeze. They'll think, "Can I use a little salt and sugar instead?" So, the dish gets finished, and the dinner party isn't interrupted. Language learning is the same: when you get stuck, do you stop and painstakingly search 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 having every single word be perfect.

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

Let Go of the "Native Speaker" Obsession

"I want to speak like a native speaker." This sentence is like a cook saying, "I want to cook exactly like a Michelin chef."

Not only is this unrealistic, but it also ignores a fact: there's no single, unified "native speaker" standard. A British London accent, an American Texas accent, an Australian accent... They are all native speakers, but they 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 be a copy of someone else, but to be yourself. Your accent is part of your unique identity. As long as your pronunciation is clear and you can communicate effectively, that's enough.

So, How Can You Become a More Confident "Home Cook"?

The answer is simple: cook more, invite more guests.

You can't just look without practicing. Just studying recipes (memorizing vocabulary, learning grammar) is useless; you must step 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 dish at first (the simplest conversation).

Many people will say, "I'm afraid of messing up, what if others don't like it?" (I'm afraid of saying something wrong, 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 instantly translate your "diners'" requests and remind you about cooking times—wouldn't you be bolder in your attempts?

Intent is just such a tool. It's a chat app with built-in AI translation, allowing you to communicate seamlessly with anyone from any corner of the world. You no longer have to hesitate because you're afraid of not understanding or not being able to express yourself clearly. It's like your "kitchen superpower," helping you handle the small technical hitches so you can focus on enjoying the "cooking and sharing" itself—that is, the joy of communication.

So, starting today, stop agonizing over "Am I fluent?"

Ask yourself a better question:

"Who do I want to 'share a meal' with today?"

Your goal isn't to become an unattainable "Michelin chef," but rather a joyful and confident "home cook" who uses language—this "delicious dish"—to warm themselves and connect with others.

Go check out https://intent.app/ now and start your first "international dinner party."