Article |
Stop Translating.
Start Thinking!

Why is translating
in your head
a problem? 

1 | Tiring!
After a few hours, you could nod off to sleep…

Your brain has to go into over-drive, thus requiring it to burn countless calories. This really makes the task of speaking a draining one which, in turn, reduces your speaking time.

This is very common of an evening when you get home from work and are already tired.

You want to do something that is relaxing, not draining.

2 | Harder to be fluent!
Too much thinking!

Although I shouldn’t say this as a language trainer, but overthinking definitely exists. Sometimes, it is better to trade a few minor mistakes in exchange for improved fluency.

Fluency makes your language skills sound better, even if there are leaks in the grammar. Fluency and confidence are the keys.

So, what can you do?

1 | Passive Input!
Like Mozart in the background…

When you are doing massively bland daily tasks such as housework, or even checking your emails, play a documentary or a podcast in the background that is in your target language.

Your brain will subconsciously be taking in linguistic and grammatical patterns.

Oh, and one more thing, stick to subjects you enjoy.

2 | Don’t be afraid of minor mistakes!
It’s a trade-off…

If you concentrate less on getting everything 100% perfect, the sentences will definitely flow better and eventually, flow like wine… 🍷

Now, wouldn’t that be nice? 😏

—
Oliver J. Baxter
Englischlehrer / Englischkurse in Liechtenstein.