10 Years of English Lessons, Yet Still Can't Speak Fluently?
Most of us share a common 'pain point':
After studying English for over a decade, with a vocabulary larger than anyone else's and grammar rules memorised by heart, the moment we encounter a foreigner and try to speak, our minds go blank, our faces turn red with effort, and we end up barely managing an awkward "Hello, how are you?"
Why, after investing so much time and effort, are we still 'silent English' learners?
The problem isn't a lack of effort; it's that we got our direction wrong from the very beginning.
Learning a Language Isn't About Memorising Texts, It's Like Learning to Cook
Imagine you want to learn how to cook.
You buy a stack of top-tier cookbooks, memorising 'The Art of Cooking' and 'Molecular Gastronomy for Beginners' from cover to cover. You spend 8 hours every day watching every food show imaginable, from simple home-cooked dishes to Michelin-star fine dining, knowing every step, cooking temperature, and ingredient by heart.
Now I ask you: Do you think you can cook?
Of course not. Because you're merely a 'food critic,' not a 'chef.' Your mind is brimming with theory, but you've never actually stepped into a kitchen and picked up a spatula.
Learning a language is the same.
Most of us are busy being 'language critics.' We frantically memorise vocabulary (like remembering ingredients from a recipe), diligently study grammar (like researching cooking theory), and binge-listen to audio (like watching food shows). We believe that if we consume enough, and understand enough, one day we'll naturally be able to speak.
But this is precisely the biggest misconception. Understanding doesn't mean you can speak. Just like understanding a recipe doesn't mean you can cook.
'Speaking' and 'writing' are like hands-on cooking; they are 'output.' Whereas 'listening' and 'reading' are like reading a recipe; they are 'input.' If you only observe and never do, you'll forever remain a spectator.
Your 'Native Language' Can Also Get Rusty, Just Like a Master Chef's Skills
This principle even applies to our native language.
Imagine a master Sichuan chef who moves abroad and spends twenty years only making pasta and pizza. When he returns to Chengdu and wants to cook an authentic plate of Twice-Cooked Pork, do you think his skills will be as perfect as they once were?
Most likely not. He might forget the proportions of a certain spice, or his sense for cooking temperature might become dull.
Language is also a kind of 'muscle memory.' If you spend 90% of your day using English, your Chinese 'muscles' will naturally atrophy. You'll find yourself forgetting words when writing, mixing in English grammar when speaking, and even taking a long time to articulate a simple thought.
So, don't take your native language for granted. It also needs us to cherish it, use it, and refine it, just like a foreign language.
Become a 'Home Cook,' Not a 'Gourmet'
Many people feel intimidated when they think about learning a language, as it seems like a never-ending journey. Today you learn 'Hello,' but tomorrow thousands more words and usages await you.
Don't be afraid. Let's go back to the cooking analogy.
Learning to make a simple Tomato and Egg Stir-fry helps you satisfy basic needs. This is like mastering basic conversation that allows for daily communication. Progress at this stage is rapid.
On the other hand, learning to prepare 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall' is just icing on the cake. It's fantastic, but it doesn't affect your everyday meals. This is like learning advanced vocabulary and rare usages; it makes your expression more elegant, but its impact on improving core communication skills has diminishing returns.
Therefore, our goal isn't to become a 'culinary theorist' who knows every cuisine, but to become a 'home cook' who can effortlessly prepare a few signature dishes. Fluent communication is far more important than perfectly mastering everything.
Stop Just Reading Recipes, Get Into the Kitchen!
Now, here comes the real challenge: If you've never spoken before, how do you start?
The answer is simple: Start the moment you decide to speak.
Don't wait for the day you feel 'ready.' You'll never be 'ready.' Just like learning to cook, your first dish might get burnt, but that's an essential part of becoming a chef.
What you need isn't more theory, but a 'kitchen' where you can confidently 'mess up' without fear of being laughed at.
In the past, this was difficult. You needed to find a patient language partner or pay for a foreign tutor. But now, technology has given us an excellent practice ground.
Chat apps like Intent are like a global kitchen open just for you. You can find people from all over the world to chat with anytime, anywhere, and practice your 'cooking skills.' The best part is, it has built-in AI real-time translation. When you get stuck or can't recall a certain word (ingredient), it's like having a master chef by your side, ready to give you hints. Here, you can boldly make mistakes, because every mistake is a step towards progress.
Come to Intent now and start your first 'cooking session.'
Stop settling for being a mere spectator.
The world, a lavish feast, is waiting for you to open your mouth and savour it.