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Perfect is the enemy of good
Perfect is the enemy of good
When I started learning Spanish, my goal was to eventually learn the language so well that I would sound just like a native speaker. Unfortunately, for any adult who is learning a new language, this goal is simply not possible. You will never be indistinguishable from a native speaker, but that doesn't mean you can't learn to speak very very well. You can.
Before reaching a very high level, however, we must first pass through each level of speaking poorly. I have to emphasize this point. It is NOT POSSIBLE to speak well without first speaking poorly. So many people seem to not understand this concept. I've had many language learners tell me they're not ready to speak because they still make mistakes. In fact, the opposite is true! You must speak WITH mistakes before you can speak without mistakes.
The next time you want to say something in your target language, but don't know how, go for it anyways! You should actually make your best attempt at speaking, even if you have full knowledge that you are about to say it wrong. Take a look at the two example conversations below:
Conversation A
Conversation A
Employee: Welcome to Fingtam Burger, what can I get for you today?
Customer A: Hello sir. Want to ask request for number five burger meal with drink, please sir.
Employee: Would you like fries or onion rings?
Customer A: What?
Employee: (Points to the menu) Fries or onion rings?
Customer A: Want to ask request for french flies please sir.
Employee: Okay, and what would you like to drink?
Customer A: So sorry sir. Don't understand sir. English so bad.
Employee: (Points to the drink machine) What would you like to drink?
Customer A: Would like to drink Coca-Cola, please sir.
Conversation B
Conversation B
Employee: Welcome to Fingtam Burger, what can I get for you today?
Customer B: (Smiles and points to number five meal on the menu)
Employee: Number 5? Okay. Would you like fries or onion rings?
Customer B: (Looks confused and smiles while nodding)
Employee: (Points to the menu) Fries or onion rings?
Customer B: (Point to fries on the menu)
Employee: Okay, and what would you like to drink?
Customer B: (Nods head)
Employee: (Points to the drink machine) Which one?
Customer B: Coca-Cola.
In these two scenarios, customer A said everything wrong while Customer B totally avoided making mistakes. Customer A will someday be able to speak English but Customer B never will, unless he undergoes a radical attitude change. Which kind of language learner do you want to be?
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