Stop Just Memorising Words! Do This And Treat Your Foreign Language Skills To A Sumptuous Feast

Are you also like this?

Your phone is packed with several vocabulary-learning apps, your bookmarks are overflowing with "grammar guides," and you diligently check in daily, feeling so dedicated you're almost patting yourself on the back.

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

We all assume the problem lies with "insufficient vocabulary" or "unfamiliarity with grammar." But what if I told you 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), thoroughly studied all the Michelin-starred restaurant recipes (grammar books), and even memorised the origin and history of every single spice by heart.

But you've never actually lit a stove, never personally handled a ladle, never tested oil temperature, and never tasted your own cooking.

Can you truly claim to know how to cook?

Learning a language is the same. Just memorising words and cramming grammar is like being a food connoisseur who only collects ingredients and recipes, rather than a chef who can whip up a lavish spread. We collect too many "raw materials," but rarely truly "cook" them.

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

A 'Delicious Annual Menu' for Your Brain

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 the time?"

Take it easy. We don't need to start by tackling those thick, heavy tomes. Instead, we can create an interesting and relaxed "annual reading menu" for ourselves, just like we savour gourmet food.

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

You can plan your "menu" like this:

January: Taste the "Flavour of History" Read a history book or a biography about the country whose language you're learning. You'll find that many familiar words and customs hide fascinating stories behind them.
February: A "Sweet Treat of Life" Find a romance novel or light reading 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: A "Rich Broth of Thought" Read a non-fiction book, for example, about learning methods, personal growth, or a social phenomenon. See how another culture thinks about issues we commonly care about.
April: Try "Unfamiliar Flavours" Challenge yourself with a genre you usually don'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 completely new, nuanced perspective, re-understanding the culture and emotions of that country.

……You can freely arrange the following months according to your interests. The key is to make reading an anticipated culinary exploration, not a burdensome learning task.

A Few Tips to Make Your "Tasting" More Enjoyable

Don't fear "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 win.
Start with the "Kids' Meal": If you're a beginner, don't hesitate. Start directly with children's books or Graded Readers. Behind simple language often lie the purest culture and values. Nobody expects you to become a pro overnight.
Make good use of your "Smart Kitchen Tools": What if you encounter an unknown word while reading, or particularly want to chat with foreign friends who are also reading the same book? This is where technology can help. For instance, using a chat app like Intent which comes with built-in AI translation, you can not only conveniently look up words but also communicate seamlessly with fellow book lovers worldwide. The true charm of language blossoms only through communication.

Stop being just a language "ingredient collector."

This new year, let's "fire up the stove" together, and cook those words and grammar lying dormant in our minds into "language feasts" that truly nourish our minds and souls.

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