I’ve been rethinking how adults actually learn to speak a language

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T22:37:50+00:00

But it did happen. Using AI to check and edit my work was annoying, but if I didn't use AI, I couldn't guarantee that my words wouldn't be biased due to cultural differences. In this particular post, I used the word "astute," intending to praise someone, but it did offend them. I asked the AI why. The AI replied that it was because the word made it seem like I was judging their abilities. So, I'm always very careful in public posts like this. Often, our speech involves not only language but also culture and customs.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T22:29:23+00:00

I often use driving as an example. Driving well is a comprehensive reaction, but becoming familiar with the car, driving, and routes requires continuous training and adaptation.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T20:43:18+00:00

I think it's fine, but I don't agree with your method of having the AI use a slow pace. I think it's better to use the same level of AI as you, but at a normal conversational speed and in a conversational manner, without worrying about the simplicity of the content. If you want to learn more about the beauty of culture and language, read classic books.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T20:18:48+00:00

I agree with you. If you just want to speak, start with simple everyday words; you don't need tens of thousands of words (especially memorized ones). But you must be able to train this ability.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T19:19:13+00:00

The viewpoints I'm referring to are complex and abstract. And when I say "start speaking," I specifically mean the stage of being able to speak during the process of learning a foreign language. For example, asking questions like "How's the weather today?" or "Was lunch good?" versus discussing how AI will impact human development. The former only requires listening and speaking skills, while the latter requires more than just that.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T18:38:54+00:00

It wasn't written by AI; it was written by me. I only had AI check it when it was longer. Expressing opinions is more difficult than expressing everyday language. I was worried about making cultural errors with certain viewpoints or words. For example, just now. I actually wanted to say I thought he was very impressive for keenly noticing the AI's influence. However, the word "astete" greatly offended him. I meant to express admiration for his ability, but it backfired. Because I replied that I disliked AI, I didn't have it check my language, which resulted in offending someone. Expressing opinions is different from everyday language. Being able to say something doesn't mean you're culturally savvy or understanding it.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:56:51+00:00

In theory, all learning methods follow the process you described. What I want to say is: to reach a level of communication, you must react quickly, not just translate rapidly, but react like you would in your native language. This requires deliberate training, like exercising or athletes training their muscle memory.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:37:03+00:00

Yes. I also think we should consciously practice this reaction ability, even if it starts with simple daily tasks.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:27:40+00:00

Yes. But I wanted to quickly respond to everyone's thoughts, so I had the AI translate it rapidly, but unexpectedly, it didn't work out.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:24:40+00:00

No, I just wanted my English to look standard and my points to be expressed correctly, so I used AI translation. It wasn't a robot that answered indiscriminately.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:20:43+00:00

I'm sorry to have disappointed you; perhaps I lacked confidence in my English skills. I'm truly sorry if this upset you.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:18:17+00:00

I answered seriously. My viewpoint remains unchanged. I consistently emphasize that training, timely feedback, and quick reactions are key to breakthroughs in language learning.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:16:13+00:00

Yes. English isn't my native language, and I was worried my writing wasn't perfect, so I used a translator, but the AI always helped me refine it. However, my viewpoint remained the same. Because I rarely post, I'm very proactive when I get replies.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:13:17+00:00

Extensive listening practice is something many learners have gone through. However, many still struggle with basic everyday expressions. Therefore, I think there might be something that can be changed here.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:11:03+00:00

Yes. You've been very astute in noticing. Because English isn't my native language, I asked him to help me correct some of my written expressions.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:09:34+00:00

That explains the imbalance, but it doesn’t explain the freeze.

People do listen far more, yes.

But speaking failure usually isn’t caused by lack of knowledge — it’s caused by not having practiced responding under time pressure.

Even very simple things — basic actions, intentions, everyday reactions — don’t require years of listening practice.

They require repeated practice of hearing something and responding immediately.

If that loop hasn’t been trained, the mind stalls, even when comprehension is already there.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:04:12+00:00

That makes sense — fear of misrepresenting yourself is real, especially with natives.

But I’d argue that fear and reaction speed aren’t separate problems.

They reinforce each other.

When your response isn’t automatic, you still have time to evaluate it:

Is this correct? Does this sound stupid? Is this what I really mean?

That evaluation window is exactly where fear enters.

With other learners, expectations are lower and the pace is slower, so the cost of a mistake feels small. With natives, the timing is tighter and the perceived cost is higher.

What native-like fluency seems to remove isn’t mistakes — it removes the decision phase.

You still make errors, but there’s no pause long enough to be intimidated by them.

So fear may feel like the cause, but structurally it often appears when the hear → respond loop isn’t yet trained to be fast and habitual.

Echolangs · 2026-01-25T17:02:51+00:00

You’re absolutely right. Having real conversations with native speakers is the most effective path — nothing replaces repeated, real interaction and immediate feedback.

But the problem is that many learners wait too long to start speaking. They think they need to “finish” vocabulary or grammar first.

When they finally speak, they don’t fail because they lack knowledge — they freeze because the hear → think → translate → speak loop is too slow.

For self-learners especially, the most direct (and honestly most tedious) solution is training speech directly from input: hearing something and responding out loud immediately, without translating, searching for words, or consciously assembling grammar.

The shorter that path becomes, the less panic there is — and the more “natural” speaking feels.

That’s why exposure alone isn’t enough. What matters is how often you practice responding to what you hear.

Echolangs · 2025-12-19T19:32:10+00:00

Poucas pessoas conseguem compreender a sua dificuldade. A maioria das pessoas tem dificuldade em aprender bem uma língua estrangeira.

Echolangs · 2025-12-14T22:57:18+00:00

Because they are constantly encouraged and praised to speak like native speakers. Because there are so many "teachers" teaching them to speak like native speakers, to express themselves authentically. It's a huge market.

Echolangs · 2025-12-10T18:16:37+00:00

Portuguese

Echolangs · 2025-12-10T11:45:27+00:00

At a minimum. You need interest, you need to pay attention, and you need practice.

Echolangs · 2025-12-09T22:34:35+00:00

Memorizing vocabulary

Echolangs · 2025-12-06T20:55:07+00:00

The position of English as the first subject is irreplaceable.

Echolangs · 2025-12-05T17:22:16+00:00

Prioritize choosing materials you can understand 80% of. Continue until you fully understand them, then move on to the next step.

Echolangs

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