Studied English for 10 Years and Still Can't Speak? You've Been Learning to Swim on Dry Land.

Have you ever had one of those utterly frustrating moments where you've worn through countless vocabulary books, memorized grammar rules, and watched hundreds of American TV shows, but the moment you have to speak English, your mind just goes blank?

We always assume that people who speak English well are either innately talented or extroverted. But what if I told you it has little to do with talent or personality?

The truth is: learning English is just like learning to swim.

You can master every swimming theory inside and out; from buoyancy to the angle of your arm strokes, you understand it all perfectly. But as long as you don't jump into the water, you'll always remain a "swimming theorist," not a swimmer.

Most of us learn English by practicing swimming on dry land. We put in a lot of effort and hard work, but we never get in the water.

Stop Being a "Swimming Theorist" – Jump into the Water!

Think about the fluent English speakers around you – they aren't "smarter," they've just been "soaking in the water" earlier and longer than you:

• They work and live in environments where they must speak English.
• They have foreign friends and interact daily "in the water."
• They aren't afraid of choking on water, daring to flail and splash through mistakes.

See, the key isn't "personality," but "environment." Changing your personality is difficult, but creating an environment where you can "get in the water" is something we can do right now.

Step One: Find Your "Other Side of the Shore" (Clear Goals)

Why are you learning to swim? Is it just for fun, or to swim to the other side to meet someone important?

If it's just for fun, you might splash around a bit and then get out. But if there's a compelling reason on the other side that you must reach – like a dream job opportunity, a culture you want to deeply understand, or a friend with whom you want to build a deep connection – you'll throw caution to the wind and swim forward with all your might.

This "must-do" reason is your strongest motivation. It will push you to actively analyze: How far am I from the other side? What "stroke" do I need? How should I manage my energy?

Action: Stop saying, "I want to learn English well." Turn it into a specific goal: "In three months, I want to be able to have a 10-minute casual conversation with a foreign client," or "When I travel abroad, I want to be able to order food and ask for directions on my own."

Step Two: The Goal is "Not Drowning," Not an Olympic Gold Medal (Treat English as a Tool)

What's the goal for a beginner swimmer? Is it to perfect the butterfly stroke? No, it's to first ensure they don't sink, can breathe, and can move forward.

English is the same. It's first and foremost a communication tool, not a science you need to ace with a 100% score. You don't need to understand every grammatical detail; just like when we speak Chinese, we might not be able to explain the precise usage of "de," "di," or "de," but that doesn't hinder our communication.

Stop obsessing over, "Is my pronunciation standard?" or "Is this sentence grammatically perfect?" As long as the other person understands your meaning, you've succeeded. You've "swum" across!

Remember: If you can't even carry on a conversation about a topic in Chinese, don't expect to be able to talk fluently about it in English. Communication ability is more important than perfect grammar.

Step Three: Don't Be Afraid to Choke on Water – It's the Only Way (Embrace Mistakes)

No one is born knowing how to swim. Everyone starts by choking on their first mouthful of water.

It's certainly embarrassing to make mistakes in front of others, but these are the moments when you improve the fastest. Every time you choke on water, you'll instinctively adjust your breathing and posture. Every time you make a mistake, it's an opportunity for you to remember the correct usage.

Fluent English speakers don't not make mistakes; they've simply made more mistakes than you've practiced. They've long been accustomed to the feeling of "choking on water," and they know that as long as they keep flailing, they'll eventually float.

How to "Get in the Water"? Start by Building Your Own "Pool"

Okay, you understand the principles, so how do you "get in the water"?

1. Switch Your Life to "English Mode"

This isn't about "squeezing in time to study English"; it's about "living in English."

• Change your phone and computer system language to English.
• Listen to your favorite English songs, but this time, try looking up the lyrics.
• Watch your favorite American TV shows, but try changing the subtitles to English, or even turning them off.
• Follow international bloggers in your areas of interest, whether it's fitness, beauty, or gaming.

The key is to use English to do things you already enjoy. Let English no longer be a "study task," but "a part of life."

2. Start Splashing in the "Shallow End"

No one expects you to challenge the deep end on day one. Start small and build confidence.

• This week's goal: Order a coffee in English.
• Next week's goal: Comment on your favorite blogger's posts in English on social media.
• The week after: Find a language partner and have a 5-minute simple conversation.

Speaking of finding a language partner, this might be the most effective yet most daunting step. What if you're worried you won't speak well, or you're afraid of being embarrassed, or that the other person won't be patient?

This is where a tool like Intent can be a huge help. It's like your private "swimming coach" and "lifesaver." You can find language partners from all over the world who want to learn Chinese; everyone is a learner, so the mindset is more inclusive. The best part is, it has built-in AI real-time translation. When you get stuck and can't find the words, the translation feature acts like a lifesaver, instantly helping you out, allowing you to continue "swimming" with peace of mind, without retreating to the shore due to a single awkward moment.

With Intent, you can confidently start in the "shallow end," slowly building confidence until one day, you find yourself swimming effortlessly in the "deep end."

Stop standing on the shore, envying those who swim freely in the water.

The best time to learn English is always now. Forget those tedious rules and the demand for perfection. Like a child learning to swim, jump in, play around, and splash.

You'll quickly discover that "speaking English" isn't so hard after all.