Why We Struggle Learning Languages | Gabriel Wyner | TEDxNewBedford?

We struggle learning languages because we often forget that language is something you use, not just something you study.

Imagine you're trying to learn how to ride a bike. But instead of riding it, you just look at pictures of bikes and memorize their names in another language. That's like studying the bike, but you never actually get on it and pedal. Language is like that bike, it’s something you use every day, not just something you learn about.

When we learn a new language, we need to use it in real life, like talking with friends or reading stories. It's like practicing riding the bike while going on little trips around the block. You make mistakes, but that’s how you get better.

But if you only study words and grammar without actually using them, it feels like you're just looking at a picture of a bike from across the room. You know what it is, but you can't ride it, and that makes learning feel hard and boring.

So the next time you're learning a new language, try to use it in fun ways, like talking with someone or playing a game! That’s how you really learn, by using the language, not just studying it.