Why you understand English but CAN'T speak FLUENTLY

Summary

The video script addresses the common challenge of achieving fluency in a second language, emphasizing the importance of active speaking over passive comprehension. It suggests a 30% input to 70% output ratio for effective learning, encouraging self-practice through methods like talking to oneself or using language exchange apps. The speaker also highlights the need to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process and stresses the significance of consistency in daily practice. Additionally, the script recommends incorporating phrasal verbs and native expressions to develop a more natural vocabulary, and using tools like post-it notes to learn new words, while also promoting the speaker's podcast for further insights.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Speaking fluently is a common challenge for language learners due to the focus on passive fluency where comprehension is more developed than speaking abilities.
• 📚 Traditional language education often prioritizes reading and listening over active speaking and writing, leading to an imbalance in communication skills.
• 🔄 To improve fluency, it's recommended to have a balance of 30% input (learning and absorbing information) and 70% output (actively using the language).
• 🤝 Creating opportunities to speak, such as finding a language exchange partner or joining a conversation class, is crucial for language adaptation.
• 📱 Utilizing technology, like sending messages to oneself on WhatsApp or recording voice notes, can be an effective way to practice speaking without a partner.
• 🎯 Focusing on grammar and pronunciation by listening to and correcting one's own recordings can help in identifying and fixing language mistakes.
• 💪 Embracing mistakes as part of the learning process is essential for overcoming the fear of imperfection and improving language skills.
• 👂 Seeking understanding and constructive feedback from those who have learned a second language can provide valuable support and encouragement.
• 📝 Consistency in daily practice is more important than the resources used or the amount of time spent learning a language.
• 🌐 Incorporating speaking practice into daily routines, such as using language exchange apps or talking to oneself, can significantly improve speaking skills.
• 📚 Learning and using phrasal verbs and expressions commonly used by native speakers can help develop a more natural vocabulary.
• 🔍 Using tools like post-it notes to learn new words from reading materials and practicing them can aid in expanding one's vocabulary and fluency.

Q & A

What is the common challenge faced by many language learners according to the script?

The common challenge faced by many language learners is to speak fluently, often due to passive fluency where comprehension is more developed than speaking abilities.

Why does traditional language education contribute to the imbalance in language learning?

Traditional language education often focuses more on reading and listening, rather than active speaking and writing, which leads to an imbalance and affects the ability to communicate effectively.

What is the ideal ratio of input to output suggested for language learning?

The ideal ratio suggested is 30% input and 70% output, meaning 30% should be spent on learning and absorbing information, while 70% should be spent on actively using that information.

How can one create opportunities to speak a new language?

One can create opportunities to speak by finding a language exchange partner, starting a conversation class, or even talking to oneself.

What is an unconventional method mentioned in the script to practice speaking a new language?

An unconventional method mentioned is to use a phone to create a chat with oneself on WhatsApp and send messages or record voice notes to practice speaking.

Why is it important to focus on grammar mistakes and pronunciation issues while practicing speaking?

Focusing on grammar mistakes and pronunciation issues helps to modify and fix those errors, improving the overall speaking ability and making communication more effective.

What attitude should language learners adopt towards making mistakes while learning a new language?

Language learners should embrace their mistakes, as they are an essential part of the learning process and provide opportunities for improvement.

How can language learners benefit from seeking feedback from others who have learned a second language?

Learners can benefit from feedback as those who have learned a second language can understand their challenges, not ridicule their mistakes, and provide constructive advice.

What is the key to improving speaking skills according to the script?

Consistency is key to improving speaking skills, as it is more important than the resources used, the books read, the teachers one has, or the time spent learning.

How can incorporating speaking practice into daily routine help in language learning?

Incorporating speaking practice into daily routine helps in developing the ability to express oneself more confidently and naturally, which is essential for fluency.

What is the role of phrasal verbs and native expressions in achieving fluency in a new language?

Using phrasal verbs and expressions that native speakers use helps in developing a more natural vocabulary and contributes to achieving fluency.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Overcoming Passive Fluency in Language Learning

This paragraph discusses the common struggle of language learners to achieve fluent speaking despite having good comprehension skills. The speaker attributes this to traditional language education's emphasis on reading and listening over active speaking and writing. To address this, the speaker suggests prioritizing speaking and writing, aiming for a 30% input and 70% output ratio. They share personal strategies such as using WhatsApp to chat with oneself in the target language, recording voice notes, and focusing on grammar and pronunciation corrections. The speaker also encourages embracing mistakes as part of the learning process and seeking understanding from those who have learned a second language, as well as using AI tools or finding a teacher for constructive feedback.

05:04

📚 Consistency and Practical Tips for Language Fluency

The second paragraph emphasizes the importance of consistency over the resources used in language learning. The speaker argues that setting aside time daily for speaking practice, such as self-talk or using language exchange apps, is crucial for progress. They also highlight the need to incorporate phrasal verbs and native expressions into one's speaking practice to develop a more natural vocabulary. The speaker shares a personal method of using transparent post-it notes to learn new German words from a book, writing down their meanings, and practicing them. They conclude by encouraging viewers to subscribe to their channel if they find the tips useful, underlining the importance of finding one's own methods for language learning.

Keywords

💡Passive fluency

Passive fluency refers to the ability to understand a language better than one can speak it. In the video, it's mentioned as a common challenge for language learners, as traditional education often emphasizes reading and listening over speaking and writing. This imbalance makes it difficult to communicate effectively in the learned language.

💡Active engagement

Active engagement involves using the language in speaking and writing rather than just absorbing information passively. The video stresses the importance of active engagement to improve fluency, suggesting activities like speaking with a partner, joining conversation classes, or talking to oneself as ways to practice actively.

💡Consistency

Consistency is described as a crucial factor in language learning, possibly more important than the resources used. The video highlights setting aside dedicated time each day to practice speaking as a way to build and maintain fluency, emphasizing that regular practice leads to progress.

💡Constructive feedback

Constructive feedback refers to receiving helpful and specific comments on one's language use to improve. The video recommends seeking feedback from those who understand the challenges of learning a new language, such as teachers or language exchange partners, to help identify and correct mistakes.

💡Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are expressions that native speakers commonly use, which can be challenging for language learners. The video advises incorporating these into speaking practice to sound more natural and fluent, providing examples like using everyday expressions and phrases.

💡Language exchange partner

A language exchange partner is someone with whom one can practice speaking a new language. The video suggests finding such a partner as a way to create opportunities for active speaking practice and receive constructive feedback.

💡Voice notes

Voice notes are audio recordings used for practicing speaking. The video describes a method of recording oneself speaking in the target language, then listening to and correcting mistakes. This technique helps learners focus on pronunciation and grammar issues.

💡Perfectionism

Perfectionism in language learning refers to the desire to avoid mistakes and speak perfectly. The video discusses how perfectionism can hinder progress, as it may prevent learners from practicing and making the necessary mistakes to improve. Overcoming perfectionism is presented as key to becoming more fluent.

💡Natural vocabulary

Natural vocabulary involves using words and phrases that native speakers commonly use. The video suggests reading books and noting down new words and phrases to incorporate into daily speaking practice, helping learners develop a more authentic way of speaking.

💡Language learning tools

Language learning tools refer to resources like apps, AI tools, and other technologies that assist in learning a language. The video encourages using these tools to correct mistakes and enhance learning, emphasizing their usefulness alongside traditional methods like working with a teacher.

Highlights

Speaking fluently is a common challenge for language learners due to passive fluency where comprehension is more developed than speaking abilities.

Traditional language education often focuses more on reading and listening than active speaking and writing, causing an imbalance.

To improve fluency, prioritize speaking and actively engage in speaking and writing to enforce what you have learned.

The ideal balance for language learning is 30% input (learning, absorbing information) and 70% output (using the information).

Create opportunities to speak by finding a language exchange partner, starting a conversation class, or even talking to yourself.

Using technology like WhatsApp to chat with yourself and record voice notes can help adapt your brain to the language.

Embrace making mistakes while learning a language as they are opportunities to learn and improve.

Becoming less perfectionist when learning a language can help overcome the fear of making mistakes and improve fluency.

Seek out people who have learned a second language for understanding and constructive feedback on your language learning journey.

Consistency in practicing speaking is more important than the resources used or the time spent learning a language.

Set aside dedicated time each day to practice speaking, even if it's just talking to yourself or using recording methods.

Incorporate phrasal verbs and expressions used by native speakers to develop a more natural vocabulary.

Use social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, and listen to podcasts to learn new words and phrases.

Take note of new words and phrases and incorporate them into your speaking practice to improve your vocabulary.

Use tools like transparent post-its to write down the meanings of unfamiliar words from books and practice them.

Finding your own methods for language learning is important as everyone has a unique learning style.

True fluency comes from consistent effort and incorporating speaking practice into your daily routine.

Transcripts

well let me tell you

this is actually a very common challenge

many language learners face: to speak fluently but why?

why is it so difficult?

many language learners

fall into the trap of passive fluency

where comprehension is more developed than

speaking abilities

one of the reasons for this

is that traditional language education

often focuses more on reading and listening

rather than active speaking in writing

this imbalance

abstracts our ability to communicate effectively

we need to prioritize speaking

it's not enough to just absorb information possibly

we have to actively engage in speaking and writing

to enforce what you have Learned

and I'm not saying absorbing information is a bad thing

actually is very good

you should not stop doing that

the ideal would be to have 30% input and 70% output

which means 30% learning

absorbing information

and 70% actually using all that information

how can we do that?

start by creating opportunities to speak

find a language exchange partner

start a conversation class

or even talk to yourself

the more you speak

the more your brain is gonna adapt to the language

and you don't need a person to do this

what I used to do with German is to use my phone

and I create a chat to myself on WhatsApp

and I just send messages to myself

I record voice notes

for example

Hallo,wie geht es dir?

Ich bin heute sehr müde aber ich muss

so viel arbeiten..

and now I will just listen to it

I will focus on the grammar mistakes I'm making

or in some pronunciation issues

that I want to work on

and I will modify it

and I will try to fix those things

record another voice note

and listen to it again

the idea is just to speak

to use what you've Learned

no one wants to make mistakes while learning a language

let's be honest

and that sometimes holds us back from speaking fluently

but remember

and you have to embrace your mistakes

to actually learn from them

this is actually an extra challenge

for those who are

just like me

I used to be more perfectionist than now

with German

for example

and every time I made a mistake

I would feel terrible

I would feel like it was a failure

I didn't wanna learn anymore

because I wanted everything to be perfect

but I Learned to be less perfectionist

when it comes to learning a language

and making mistakes

and that really helps a lot

you will get used to making mistakes

and learn from them

who actually understand the challenges you are facing

maybe someone who has already Learned a second language

they will completely

understand what you're going through

they will not make fun of your mistakes

your accent

or anything like that because

they know what it feels like to learn new language

if you have the chance

even if it's just for a few minutes per day

and if possible

try to receive constructive feedback

so the way you can learn

actually those things

or just trying to find the answer

so you should say

I'm doing well

not I'm doing good

this is just an example

but you can use the amazing AI tools we have nowadays

to keep learning and correct your mistakes

but if you can find a real teacher

that's awesome

now you are trying to become fluent

yet while you're not fluent

and I always say this

but it is so true

and very important

consistency can be more important than

the resources you use

the book the use

the teachers you have

the time you spend learning a language

consistency is key to improving your speaking skills

set aside dedicated time each day to practice speaking

it can be as simple as

talking to yourself

or using the recording method I used earlier

or use any language exchange apps

which by the way

are not sponsored

but remember

progress comes from consistent effort

by incorporating speaking practice

into your daily routine

and ability to express yourself

more confidently

now in order to become fluent

you have to

you have to use phrasal verbs

and expressions that native speakers normally use

sometimes we struggle finding the right words

TikTok and Facebook

and also check out my podcast

take note of

new words and phrases

and try to incorporate them into your speaking practice

this will help you develop a more natural vocabulary

this is what I do with German

I'm reading a book in German

and there are some words

that I obviously don't understand

so I take these post its

that are transparent

you can find this on Amazon

it's super cheap

2 Euros I think

and I will put it here

this is an example of

this book is not in German

and you can barely see it

but it's here

so I will just write down the meaning

or write down

on what I think it means here

and I will take this

put it on my notebook

and practice

but you might find your own methods

remember true fluency

comes from

if you found these tips useful

give it a thumbs up

subscribe to our channel

and thank you so much for watching