Stop Just Memorizing Words! Do This to Feast Your Foreign Language Skills

Does this sound like you?

You've got several vocabulary apps on your phone, your bookmarks are full of "ultimate grammar guides," and you diligently check in every day, working so hard you almost impress yourself.

But when it comes to actually using the foreign language—whether it's understanding an interesting article, chatting with foreign friends, or watching 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 "unfamiliar 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 best ingredients (words), thoroughly read all the Michelin-starred restaurant recipes (grammar books), and even know the origin and history of every spice like the back of your hand.

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

Can you honestly say you know how to cook?

Learning a language is the same. Just memorizing words and grinding through grammar is like being a food connoisseur who only collects ingredients and recipes, not a chef who can prepare a grand feast. We've collected too many "raw materials," but rarely truly "cook" them.

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

A "Culinary Menu" for Your Brain This Year

I know, when I mention reading, your head might start to spin: "What should I read? What if it's too difficult to understand? What if I don't have time?"

Don't worry. We don't need to dive into those massive tomes right from the start. Instead, we can, just like tasting fine food, create an interesting and relaxed "annual reading menu" for ourselves.

The core of this menu isn't about "completing tasks," but about "savoring flavors." Each month, we'll switch to a different "cuisine," exploring different facets of the language and culture.

You can plan your "menu" like this:

January: Taste the "Flavor of History" Read a history book or a 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: Have Some "Dessert of Life" Find a romance novel or a light read written in your target language. Don't be afraid if it feels "childish"; just experience how locals express love and romance through language.
March: Sip on the "Soup 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 all care about.
April: Try Some "Unfamiliar Flavors" Challenge yourself with a genre you normally don't touch, such as sci-fi, poetry, or detective novels. This is like an adventure for your taste buds, and it will bring you unexpected surprises.
May: See Through a Different "Chef's" Eyes Find a work by a female author you've never read before. You'll gain a new, nuanced perspective, and rediscover the country's culture and emotions.

...You can freely arrange the following months according to your interests. The key is to make reading feel like a culinary exploration filled with anticipation, rather than a burdensome learning task.

Tips to Make Your "Tasting" More Enjoyable

Don't Be Afraid to Leave Some Leftovers: Didn't finish this month's book? No problem! It's like going to a buffet; our goal is to sample a variety of dishes, not to finish every single plate. Even if you only read a few chapters, as long as you gain something, it's a win.
Start with the "Kid's Menu": If you're a beginner, don't hesitate; start directly with children's books or graded readers. Behind simple language often lie the purest cultural values. No one expects you to become fluent overnight.
Make Good Use of Your "Smart Kitchen Tools": What do you do when you encounter a word you don't understand while reading, or if you really 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 allows you not only to look up words easily but also to communicate seamlessly with fellow book lovers worldwide. The true charm of language truly blossoms through communication.

Stop being just a "language ingredient collector."

This new year, let's "turn on 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.