See Why You Should Not Be Afraid to Make Mistakes When Learning a Language!

One of the biggest errors that many commit in the beginning while learning a language is to never forget that it's totally okay to make mistakes. Ask yourself...Isn't sometimes the mistakes that really help us to appreciate and remember things for the long haul? Let me illustrate...

I have spoken often about the importance of word pronounciation with languages and how this can affect how messages are relayed to others. However, in the same token when you make mistakes even when speaking, it could convert into a very funny experience for you that you never forget. In fact, I think that there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with having a little fun while learning a language.

Personal Experiences:

A friend told me once in Spanish years ago (2001) when I was learning that she wanted to buy some huevos (eggs) at the store for breakfast. When I heard it I thought she meant that she wanted to buy juegos (games) being they sounded sorta close. Obviously as the conversartion progresses I couldn't realize why she want to buy "juegos" for breakfast when finally I realized that I understood wrong.

Or another time I wanted to tell some friends in Spanish that I was jogging and tripped over a "bump" on the road. A "bump" in the road in Spanish can be "una loma", or "un tope".. However, what I said is that I tripped over a "chichón " (bump on the head) and everybody started laughing because obviously it was really funny to hear that. Once I understood my mistake and bad choice of a word, I never forgot that particular experience. In fact, to this day, sometimes just hearing these words will make me laugh.

The lesson? It's okay to make mistakes when learning a language and especially with those that are willing to help and correct you along the way.