May 163 min read

Why Making Mistakes in English Could Be Your Best Learning Strategy Yet!

It’s been a long and challenging journey with English, I know. If you’ve ever felt like asking, "When will this ever end?"—you’re not alone. But today, I hope to share a mindset shift that could change everything about how you approach language learning.

The Beginning of Something Great

This isn’t just another lesson; it’s the beginning of a new chapter. As someone who has tackled Spanish as my second language and Mandarin as my third, I've experienced firsthand the struggles and triumphs of learning languages that are both similar and vastly different from my native tongue. Now, I want to pass on the insights that have shaped my unique approach to teaching.

Why Making Mistakes is Good for You

First off, let’s address a common misconception: making mistakes in English—or any language—is actually a good thing. Yes, you heard that right! Growing up, we’re often taught to fear mistakes, viewing them as signs of failure. But here’s a different perspective: mistakes are invaluable learning opportunities. My own experience, both as a learner and a teacher, has shown me that the real goal is communication, not perfection. My mother, to this day, makes mistakes in English and it doesn’t bother her in the slightest because her focus is on conveying her message effectively.

A Personal Confession

I must confess, even as a teacher, I sometimes feel insecure about making mistakes. It feels like I should know better. But I’ve come to realize that this is a natural part of the learning process. We are human, and humans make mistakes. The key is not to shy away from these errors but to embrace them, learn from them, and keep moving forward.

My Teaching Philosophy: Continuous Input and Output

My teaching philosophy is simple yet powerful—focus on continuous input and output. Input comes from listening and reading; output from speaking and writing. This cycle is crucial because it allows you to encounter and re-encounter various aspects of the language in a practical, engaging way. It’s not just about the grammar or vocabulary; it’s about using them in real contexts.

How to Handle Mistakes

Here’s how I recommend dealing with mistakes:

♻️Acknowledge and Learn: When you make a mistake, take a moment to understand what went wrong. Store this insight in your 'mental folder' to avoid repeating the error.
➡️➡️➡️Keep Communicating: Don’t let fear of mistakes stop you from speaking or writing. The more you use the language, the more natural it will become.
🤣Laugh it Off: Humor can be a great way to deal with mistakes. Laughing off errors can reduce the anxiety associated with them.

Conclusion: It’s a Journey

Learning a language is a journey, not a race. Each mistake is a step forward, not backward. I’m excited to continue this conversation and delve deeper into how we can all become more confident and effective language learners.

So, what do you think? Do you agree that making mistakes is an essential part of learning a language? Let’s discuss this further in the comments below, or hit me up on Instagram!