Why Are You Still Tongue-Tied After 10 Years of English Study?

Many of us share a common "pain point":

We've studied English for over a decade, our vocabulary is immense, and we can recite grammar rules inside and out. But the moment we encounter a native speaker and try to say something, our minds turn to mush, we blush beet red, and can only manage an awkward "Hello, how are you?"

Why do we invest so much time and effort, yet still remain "silent English speakers"?

The problem isn't that we aren't trying hard enough; it's that we got the direction wrong from the very beginning.

Learning a Language Isn't About Memorizing Texts; It's About Learning to Cook

Imagine you want to learn to cook.

You buy a stack of top-tier cookbooks, memorizing "The Art of Cooking" and "Introduction to Molecular Gastronomy" by heart. You spend 8 hours every day watching every cooking show, from everyday stir-fries to Michelin-star meals, knowing every step, every nuance of heat control, and every ingredient of each dish inside out.

Now I ask you: Do you think you can cook?

Of course not. Because you're merely a "food critic," not a "chef." Your head is full of theory, but you've never actually stepped into a kitchen and picked up a spatula.

Learning a language is no different.

Most of us are acting as "language critics." We frantically memorize vocabulary (like memorizing ingredients from a recipe), cram grammar (like studying cooking theory), and immerse ourselves in listening practice (like watching cooking shows). We think that as long as we consume enough, understand enough, one day we'll naturally be able to speak.

But this is precisely the biggest misunderstanding. Understanding doesn't mean speaking, just like understanding a recipe doesn't mean you can cook.

"Speaking" and "writing" are like actively cooking; they are "output." "Listening" and "reading" are like reading recipes; they are "input." If you only consume and never produce, you'll always remain an observer.

Your Native Language Can Also Get Rusty, Just Like a Chef's Skills

This principle even applies to our native language.

Imagine a top-tier Sichuanese chef who moved overseas and for twenty years only cooked pasta and pizza. When he returns to Chengdu, wanting to prepare an authentic twice-cooked pork, do you think his skills will still be as masterful as they once were?

Most likely not. He might forget the proportions of certain spices, or his feel for the heat might become dulled.

Language is also a form of "muscle memory." If you spend 90% of your day using English, your Chinese "muscles" will naturally atrophy. You might find yourself forgetting how to write Chinese characters, mixing in English grammar when speaking, or even taking a long time to articulate a simple thought.

So, don't take your native language for granted. It also requires us to nurture, use, 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 because it seems like a never-ending journey. Today you learn "hello," but tomorrow there are thousands upon thousands of words and usages waiting for you.

Don't be afraid. Let's return to the cooking analogy.

Learning to make a stir-fried tomato and egg dish allows you to meet your basic culinary needs. This is like mastering basic conversation, enough for daily communication. Progress at this stage is rapid.

Learning to make a "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall" dish, however, is the icing on the cake. It's impressive, but it doesn't affect your daily meals. This is like learning advanced vocabulary and rare usages; it can make your expression more elegant, but the returns on improving core communication skills are diminishing.

Therefore, our goal isn't to become a "food theoretician" who understands every cuisine, but to become a "home cook" who can effortlessly prepare a few signature dishes. Fluent communication is far more important than perfect mastery of everything.

Stop Just Reading Recipes; Step Into the Kitchen!

Now, here comes the real challenge: If you've never spoken a word, how do you begin?

The answer is simple: Start the moment you decide to open your mouth and speak.

Stop waiting for the day you're "ready." You'll never truly be "ready." Just like learning to cook, your first dish will likely burn, but that's part of the journey to becoming a chef.

What you need isn't more theory, but a "kitchen" where you can safely "mess up" without worrying about being ridiculed.

In the past, this was difficult. You needed to find a patient language partner or pay for a native-speaking tutor. But now, technology has given us an excellent practice ground.

A chat app like Intent is like a global kitchen open to you. You can find people from all over the world to chat with, anytime, anywhere, and practice your "cooking skills." The best part is its built-in AI real-time translation. When you get stuck or can't recall how to say 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 being content with being an observer.

The world's rich banquet is waiting for you to speak up and savor it.