7 M Y T H S A B O U T L E A R N I N G L A N G U A G E S

1. 1. English is difficult

FALSE! It is only difficult to learn a language if you don’t want to. Learning a language takes time, dedication and MOTIVATION. You mostly need to listen and read and soon you will feel the satisfaction.

2 2. You have to have a gift for learning languages

NO, YOU DON’T! Anyone who wants to learn, can learn. All you need is attitude, not aptitude.

3 3. You have to live where the language is spoken

FALSE! With the Internet, information is available to anyone in any language. Where you live is not an obstacle.

4 4. Only children can learn to speak another language well

FALSE! Adults only need the child’s desire to experiment and communicate, without the fear of ridicule.

5 5. You need to speak in order to learn (and I have nobody to speak to)

FALSE! Speaking the language is normally the objective of learning a language, but speaking can wait. You do not need to speak in order to learn, you need to learn in order to speak.

6 6. I want to learn but I don’t have the time

FALSE! How about the time you spend waiting in line, commuting, doing things around the house, going for a walk? Why not use that time to listen to an English podcast on your iPod or Mp3? Why not watching TV in original version while resting in the sofa? Why not listening to music in English while driving your car?

7 7. It’s bad to make mistakes

FALSE! Mistakes are necessary to continue learning, but you need to be corrected in order to improve and avoid those mistakes the next time.