Stop Just Memorising Words! Do This and Treat Your Language Skills to a Proper Feast

Does this sound like you?

You've got several vocabulary-learning apps on your phone, a whole host of "grammar guides" saved in your bookmarks, and you diligently check in every day, feeling like you've worked so hard you're about to move yourself to tears.

But the moment you actually need to use the foreign language – whether you want to understand an interesting article, chat with foreign friends, or watch a film without subtitles – your mind suddenly goes blank. Those "most familiar strangers" (words) float through your mind, but you just can't string them together.

We all assume the problem lies with an insufficient vocabulary or unfamiliar grammar. But what if I told you that the real problem might be something else entirely?

Learning a Language Is Like Learning to Cook

Imagine you want to become a master chef.

You've bought the world's finest ingredients (vocabulary), meticulously studied all the Michelin-starred restaurant recipes (grammar books), and even memorised the origin and history of every single spice.

But you've never actually lit a stove, never held a spoon yourself, never tested the oil temperature, and never tasted your own cooking.

Can you honestly say you know how to cook?

Learning a language is just the same. Simply memorising words and poring over grammar is like a food connoisseur who only collects ingredients and recipes, rather than a chef who can create a magnificent spread. We've collected too many "raw materials," but rarely truly "cook" them.

And "reading" is the most crucial, yet often most overlooked, "cooking" process in language learning. It can transform those scattered words and cold, hard rules into steaming, vibrant "cultural delicacies."

Give Your Brain an 'Annual Culinary Menu'

I know, the moment "reading" is mentioned, you might feel overwhelmed again: "What should I read? What if it's too difficult to understand? What if I don't have time?"

Don't rush. We don't need to start by ploughing through weighty tomes. Instead, we can create an enjoyable and relaxed "annual reading menu" for ourselves, much like savouring fine food.

The core of this menu isn't about "completing a task," but about "savouring the flavours." Each month, we'll switch "cuisines," exploring different facets of language and culture.

You can plan your 'menu' like this:

January: Taste the 'Flavour of History' Read a history book or biography about the country whose language you're learning. You'll discover that many words and customs you're familiar with have a fascinating story behind them.
February: A 'Sweet Treat of Life' Find a romance novel or light read written in your target language. Don't be afraid of it being "childish"; just experience how locals express love and romance through their language.
March: Savour the 'Soup of Thought' Read a non-fiction book, for example, on learning methods, personal growth, or a social phenomenon. See how another culture thinks about issues we all care about.
April: Try a 'New Flavour' Challenge yourself with a genre you normally wouldn't touch, such as science fiction, poetry, or detective novels. This is like an adventure for your taste buds, bringing unexpected surprises.
May: A 'Chef's New Perspective' Find a work by a female author you've never read before. You'll gain a fresh, nuanced perspective, allowing you to rediscover the culture and emotions of that country.

...You can freely arrange the remaining months according to your interests. The key is to make reading feel like an exciting culinary exploration, not a burdensome study task.

A Few Tips to Make the 'Tasting' More Enjoyable

Don't Be Afraid of Not Finishing Everything: Didn't finish this month's book? No worries! It's like going to a buffet; our goal is to sample a variety of dishes, not to clear every plate. Even if you only read a few chapters, as long as you gain something, it's a victory.
Start with the 'Children's Menu': If you're a beginner, don't hesitate; start directly with children's books or Graded Readers. Behind simple language, you'll often find the purest culture and values. Nobody says you have to learn a foreign language overnight.
Make Good Use of Your 'Smart Kitchen Tools': What if you encounter a word you don't understand while reading, or you particularly want to chat with foreign friends who are reading the same book? This is where technology can help. For example, using a chat app with built-in AI translation like Intent, you can not only look up words easily but also communicate seamlessly with fellow book lovers around the world. The true magic of language only blossoms through communication.

Stop being just a "language ingredient collector."

In the new year, let's "light the stove" together and cook those words and grammar lying dormant in our minds into a series of "language feasts" that truly nourish our minds and souls.

From today, open a book, even if it's just one page. You'll discover that the world is unfolding before you in a way you never imagined.