The Way You Learn Languages Might Be Flawed From The Start

Many of us have been there: we've spent years learning English, memorising countless words, only to find ourselves saying "How are you?" when we meet foreigners. Or perhaps we've always thought learning a language starts with "hello" and "thank you", just so we can chat with the locals or travel.

But what if I told you there's a more powerful way to learn, one that doesn't chase "fluent conversation", but instead treats language as a key to unlock a world you're truly passionate about?

Today, I want to share a story with you. It's about a Taiwanese PhD student in Germany, researching Byzantine history. For his research, he basically forced himself to become a "decoder" of German, French, Ancient Greek, and Latin.

Thinking of Language Learning as a Detective Game

Imagine this: You're a top-notch detective, taking on a cold case, thousands of years old – the mystery of the rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire.

This case is ancient. All the original files (primary historical sources) are written in two ancient codes (Ancient Greek and Latin). To understand this first-hand evidence, you first need to crack these two codes.

To make matters worse, over the past hundred years, some of the world's most brilliant detectives (modern scholars) have also investigated this case. They wrote extensive analytical notes in their native languages – German and French. Their findings are crucial clues for solving the case; you simply can't bypass them.

So, what's the answer?

The only way is to become a multilingual "super sleuth" yourself.

This history PhD student is precisely that kind of "super sleuth". His goal wasn't to learn how to order a coffee in Latin, but to be able to read Cicero's works and see through the mists of a thousand years of history. He studied German and French not for casual chats, but to stand on the shoulders of giants and comprehend cutting-edge academic research.

You see, when the learning goal shifts from "daily conversation" to "cracking a mystery", the entire logic of learning changes.

Your 'Why' Determines Your 'How to Learn'

This PhD student's learning path perfectly illustrates this point:

• Ancient Greek and Latin: Read Only, No Speaking. His teachers didn't teach "How are you?" in class, but instead immediately pulled out Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War and started analysing its grammatical structure right off the bat. Because the goal was to read historical texts, all teaching revolved around this core objective. He studied Ancient Greek for a year and a half and still couldn't use it for simple greetings, but that didn't stop him from reading those profound ancient texts.

• German and French: Tools for 'Cracking the Case'. He had to conduct in-depth academic discussions with his supervisor and classmates in German, so his German speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills needed to be top-notch. French, meanwhile, was an essential tool for reading vast amounts of research material. These two languages were his weapons for surviving and thriving in the academic world.

The biggest takeaway from this story is: Stop asking "How do I learn a language well?", and instead ask yourself, "Why am I learning it?"

Do you want to understand a French film without subtitles? Do you want to read an original novel by a Japanese author? Or do you want to collaborate on a project with colleagues from around the world?

The more specific and urgent your "why" is, the more direction and motivation your learning will have. You won't get bogged down thinking "this word is useless", because you'll know that every word and every piece of grammar you learn is a key to unlock your "treasure trove".

Language: A Bridge to the World

Interestingly enough, this PhD student's spoken English actually improved while he was in Germany.

In his field of research, scholars from all over the world – Sweden, Brazil, Italy, and beyond – gathered. When they came together, English became the most convenient common language. It was this genuine, problem-solving communication need that caused his English proficiency to skyrocket.

This perfectly demonstrates that the essence of language is connection. Whether it's connecting with ancient wisdom or connecting with people from different cultural backgrounds today.

In today's globalised world, each of us can become such a "connector". Perhaps you don't need to master four or five languages like he did, but having a tool that can instantly break down communication barriers will undoubtedly take you further. Now, chat apps like Intent can use built-in AI real-time translation, allowing you to easily communicate in your native language with anyone, anywhere in the world. It's like equipping your thoughts with a "universal translator", making connections simpler than ever before.

So, stop treating language learning like a chore.

Find that "why" that truly excites you, find that "mystery" you want to unravel. Then, treat language as your exploration tool, and bravely go explore that wider world. You'll find that the learning process is no longer a painful struggle, but a journey of surprising discovery.