Shadowing Practice: 20 Language Learning Mistakes That Keep You Stuck for Years - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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Let me start by saying something very clearly.
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If you are learning a language and you feel slow,
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stuck, inconsistent, frustrated, or even like everyone else is better at it than you,
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then I want you to hear this.
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You are not bad at languages.
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You are not lazy and you're also not just not good at languages.
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What's actually happening here is much simpler and it's also much more fixable.
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You are making mistakes that almost every language learner makes.
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Mistakes that schools accidentally teach, apps quietly reinforce them, and YouTube advice often ignores.
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Now I speak three foreign languages and I have made all of these mistakes learning those languages.
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teach English as a foreign language and my students have also all made these mistakes.
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Even very intelligent, motivated people make these mistakes.
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And the worst part about it is that most of them don't feel like mistakes.
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They actually feel like effort and you're working hard to do them.
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So today I want to walk you through 20 mistakes that language learners make that quietly keep you stuck for years.
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finally help you understand why progress has felt so hard even when you've been trying.
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This is not a study harder video and this is also not motivation and it's not just language hype.
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This is about clarity.
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Take your time with this, let it play and pause when you need to.
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By the end, I promise language learning is going to feel less chaotic.
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Your past effort is also finally gonna make sense
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and you'll know exactly what you need to stop doing and what actually helps.
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So let's start with number one.
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Number one is that you are trying to learn everything.
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One of the biggest mistakes language learners make is believing that they need to learn everything in order to move forward.
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So So that includes more words, more rules, more grammar, more exceptions, more content.
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I mean everything, obviously.
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But fluency doesn't come from covering everything under the sun.
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That is a total misconception.
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Fluency comes from familiarity.
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Native speakers actually don't know everything in their native language.
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They know a small set of things very, very well.
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If English is feeling overwhelming, it's not because you're behind.
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It's because you're trying to hold up too much all at once.
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And it's beginning to feel chaotic.
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Number two is that you are confusing understanding with ability.
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Now, this one honestly hurts.
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You understand English.
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You follow videos.
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You recognize words.
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But when you speak, nothing comes out.
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That doesn't mean that you're bad it means that you've built passive knowledge and not active patterns, which is what you actually need to start speaking.
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So understanding is really not the same as being able to use a grammar structure
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or a specific word when you're speaking under pressure.
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That gap is totally normal and it's not failure.
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And over time, it's going to ease up.
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Number three is a huge one.
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It's that you're waiting to feel ready to speak.
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Now here is something that most people do not understand.
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You do not become confident before you speak.
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It's actually the other way around.
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You become confident because you speak and of course that starts out very badly but over time that confidence begins to build.
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Confidence is not a prerequisite.
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It's a side effect.
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It develops as you practice and as you overcome your fear of speaking.
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And the only way to do that is to speak.
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Every single fluent speaker that you admire once sounded very awkward, slow, unsure, and wrong.
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Mistake number four is that you are translating in your head.
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If English is feeling slow in your brain, here is usually why.
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Translation feels safe, but it blocks fluency.
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Fluency comes when English phrases start to live in your head as complete sets,
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not as words that you are puzzling together every time you speak.
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Number five is that you are learning words in isolation.
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Words do not live alone.
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This is very similar to the last one.
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Native speakers never think to themselves, oh, I know this word.
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They think to themselves, oh, I know how this word behaves.
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And those two things right there are a completely different feeling and way of experiencing language.
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If you are only learning definitions, your brain actually has nothing to grab onto when you are speaking in real conversations.
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Words need to be tied to something.
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Mistake number six is that you are over focusing on grammar accuracy.
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Grammar is important, but fluency actually grows from movement, not some sort of perfect grammar that's not going to equal fluency.
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And when you put all of your stress into grammar, it holds you back in every other part of the language.
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Most native speakers speak with fragments, shortcuts, and unfinished sentences.
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Now, I know that's hard for a language learner to hear, but it's the truth.
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We do not speak in complex grammar constructions day to day.
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I always like to think about how kids learn their native language.
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They are not sitting down with their parents or teachers every day studying grammar chart and reading definitions for words.
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No, it's completely different.
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They are taking in so much input here and there in experiencing, whether that be reading books or being out in the real world.
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And then one day they start talking, words start coming out, more words start coming out,
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they have bad grammar, and then their grammar gets better and better and they have more words.
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It's a gradual flow.
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It's not just you take everything in and then you spit it out perfectly.
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So try to remember that as you are studying a language.
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Fluency comes after you just start to flow, not before that.
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Now number seven is that people often copy study methods that don't actually match their life.
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Now, I always like to say the best routine for learning a language is the one you stick with.
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Language learning relies on repetition, not on some magical perfect routine.
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And if your routine only works on perfect days, it won't work and your consistency is going to fail.
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This always happens.
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So remember, the best routine is the one you can stick with.
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Mistake number eight is believing that fluent speakers don't struggle anymore.
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Now, I know this is hard because when you hear a fluent speaker, they sound so comfortable and confident,
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you think they must have it so easy.
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And also, if you're getting close to fluency, but it's still hard for you, you could never imagine actually being fluent.
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Now, here is the key.
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Fluent speakers struggle just in a very different way.
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Fluency does not mean that your effort disappears.
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It means that you are trying and you're still putting in lots of effort,
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but it becomes in more of a big picture way rather than a very specific,
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precise way of focusing on every grammar detail, every word.
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It's more that you struggle with conveying thoughts and ideas.
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Now, remember, we struggle with that in our native language too.
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So that's okay.
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And it's totally normal.
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Mistake number nine is that learners are practicing too little out loud.
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Your mouth needs training, not just your brain.
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And actually it is a physical exercise.
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You have to practice getting these new sounds and shapes in your mouth.
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If you don't do that, you will never sound natural.
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Speaking is physical, so you cannot think your way into it.
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Mistake number 10 is that you are comparing your middle to someone else's end.
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This comparison kills what you are seeing is the highlight reel.
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You are not seeing the beginnings, the failures, or the confusion and that's hard to wrap your mind around.
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But every fluent speaker started in the same place and you need to remember that when you look at them.
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Number 11 is chasing fluency instead of comfort.
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Fluency is a very vague term actually.
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We throw it around here and there, but do you actually know what it means?
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Or what is your definition?
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Because comfort is measurable.
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Fluency, unless you're going to have a test tell you whether or not you're fluent,
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fluency is not really all that measurable of a term, but comfort is.
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Once you are comfortable speaking, that's the goal.
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The goal is to be comfortable speaking.
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You should be aiming for feeling less tense, understanding more without effort, and responding faster.
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And also shorter responses sound more natural, not longer responses.
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That's real progress when you can work on those three things and you feel comfortable.
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Not just saying, I hope I'm fluent soon.
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That doesn't really mean all that much in terms of measuring your progress.
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Number 12 is a huge one.
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This is using too many resources at once.
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Five apps, 10 channels, three textbooks, five TV shows.
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I mean, the list goes on and on.
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Nowadays, we have so much media and content.
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It's being thrown at you in every direction.
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And while that's beneficial, you are making language learning too chaotic.
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It's actually quite simple and your brain can't settle.
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So remember depth here beats novelty.
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You don't need all the interesting apps.
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All you need is exposure.
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Mistake number 13 is thinking that mistakes equal regression.
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It's actually quite the opposite.
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Mistakes often mean growth.
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It's actually a great sign
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when you get to the point where you are speaking in another language
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and you feel embarrassed because you hear the mistakes you're making.
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That means you are learning, you are growing.
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That is a great sign.
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It's actually a milestone.
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This is absolutely not regression.
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So don't be confused about it.
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Mistakes start to appear when you push boundaries so it actually always means you're moving just a little bit more forward.
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Mistake number 14 is learning formal first.
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Real English is messy, it's casual, and it's very incomplete.
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Textbook English teaches a very formal English, and this tends to create some distance and friction when you are speaking in real life.
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We don't actually speak like that.
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So it makes you sound more foreign than you are.
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Number 15 is not recycling language.
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If you don't reuse something, you lose it.
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Repetition is actually the quickest way to fluency.
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Remember, we're aiming for comfort.
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So as you say something more and more, and you get more comfortable with phrases,
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your English feels and sounds more comfortable.
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Mistake number 16 is believing talent matters more than exposure.
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This is absolutely false.
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We are just going to bust this myth right now.
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Language is not gifted.
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It is built.
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And any person who has become fluent in a language does not like it when you say, oh, you just must be good at learning languages.
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No. Learning a language is so hard.
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And sure, maybe naturally you could have a little bit more of a knack for it.
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But that doesn't mean that you didn't build it and you didn't put in the effort.
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Now, this goes the other way.
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If you feel like you are bad at learning languages, it's not true.
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There is something in your language learning routine that is not working.
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Maybe you are not studying the way that your brain thinks.
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But the cool thing about language learning is that it is extremely vast.
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You have every kind of thing involved.
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You have grammar, you have logic, you have memorization, you have repetition, you have in your head,
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out loud, written, listening, I mean every form.
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So even if something is difficult for you, something is not going to be.
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So find what works for you and focus on that.
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Mistake number 17 is unfortunately so common.
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this is quitting at the plateau now language learning is just
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like anything else there are times where you can really feel the progress
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and then you hit a plateau that happens more often than you would think
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and it can be really hard to stay motivated positive during that plateau
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but you just have to that's the name of the game
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plateaus are actually invisible progress There is lots happening during that time.
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A lot of it is really settling into your brain.
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Sometimes I find that when I take a month off and just don't think about it.
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Now, I don't recommend doing that.
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But when it happens naturally, I find that I come back speaking a little bit better.
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All of the things I learned previously have just really rested in my brain.
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They're settled in.
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And now when I speak, I use them.
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So even though it feels like you're doing nothing and your language skills are horrible, it's not true.
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And there is invisible growth happening here.
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Your brain is simply reorganizing and your job is just to stay motivated and don't quit.
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Mistake number 18 is trying to sound impressive.
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Simple English is actually very powerful.
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Clarity is the goal and clarity beats complexity.
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Usually when you're trying to sound impressive, you actually just end up sounding more unnatural and you start to use words that no natives ever use.
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So really, just don't do it to yourself.
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It's not helpful.
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Just stick with simple language and you're actually going to be more comfortable,
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more understandable and it's all going to sound and feel more natural.
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Mistake number 19 is not training pronunciation early.
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Pronunciation affects confidence, listening, and speed.
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Now, many people tend to think that pronunciation is a sort of cosmetic thing, but this is not true.
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It is foundational in your language skills.
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Now, if you like routine and structure,
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I have built a seven-day pronunciation workout that aims to improve your pronunciation in just one week.
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Now, any language learning level can do this and your pronunciation will drastically improve.
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There's a link below if you want to check it out.
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And mistake number 20 is thinking you are behind.
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Now, you just need to remember you are not behind.
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There is actually no such thing as being behind when you are learning a language.
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It is a huge accomplishment.
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So just don't let yourself get caught in that thinking.
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It's not helpful.
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You are learning.
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You are moving forward.
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You are not behind.
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And learning is not linear.
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It is full of spikes and plateaus and ups and downs.
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And that's totally normal and okay.
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As long as you are staying on the journey, you are doing a good job.
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Now, if this video felt like someone finally explained something you've been experiencing, that's not an accident.
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You're not broken.
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You're not bad at languages.
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You're just missing the right frame.
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Now, just a reminder, if pronunciation is one of the things holding you back,
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especially your confidence, I created a seven-day English pronunciation workout that you can do in short daily sessions.
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This is built for every single level so whether you're a beginner or an advanced speaker, it will improve your pronunciation by the end of the week.
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No pressure, no perfection, just clarity and repetition.
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The link is below.
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If this video helped you breathe a little easier about learning English, then you are exactly where you should be.
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Now, if you like this video, please like and subscribe.
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It really helps my channel.
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I post weekly videos to help you sound more natural and confident while speaking English.
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I'll catch you in the next video.
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Bye!
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Why Language Learning Feels Stuck: Insights from a Fluency Expert
Ever felt like your English progress is moving at a snail’s pace, even though you’re studying daily? The video explains this frustration isn’t about being "bad at languages"—it’s about common mistakes that quietly hold you back. Whether you’re practicing for IELTS speaking or just want to chat confidently, recognizing these errors is the first step to breaking free.
Top 3 Mistakes That Kill Progress (And How to Fix Them)
- Trying to learn "everything": Fluency comes from mastering a small set of words and patterns, not memorizing every grammar rule. Native speakers don’t know it all—they just use what they know well. Focus on high-frequency phrases for daily communication instead of overwhelming yourself.
- Confusing understanding with ability: You might follow YouTube videos or read articles, but speaking feels impossible. That’s because you’ve built passive knowledge, not active skills. To bridge this gap, practice shadowspeak—repeat phrases out loud as you hear them—to turn recognition into real-world use.
- Waiting to "feel ready" to speak: Confidence grows after you start speaking, not before. Even small conversations or english speaking practice drills help you adapt and improve. Don’t let fear of mistakes stop you—they’re part of the process.
How to Use This Video for Shadowing Practice
Want to turn these insights into action? Try a step-by-step shadowing guide with the video: Pause after short clips, repeat the speaker’s words, and focus on rhythm and intonation. This isn’t just about mimicry—it’s about training your brain to think in English. For IELTS speaking practice, focus on the clear, conversational tone used in the video. Over time, you’ll notice your active vocabulary and confidence grow. Remember: The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your skills transform.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on | you've been trying · you've been experiencing |
| Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result | If you don't do that, you will never |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | have made · has felt · you've built |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | being thrown · is not gifted · is built |
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.