Episode 28: Good Advice Gone Wrong, Round 2

In this second episode of "Good Advice Gone Wrong," a segment in which I highlight some really good language learning advice that can also go wrong, I talk about doing what you love but in your target language. I've heard this recommendation so many times in my years as a language learner, and I can't deny that it's a good, potentially fun way to gain immersion-like input. When I tried this with Italian, however, it was a big flop. I couldn't understand as much as I wanted to or thought I should, and the activities I enjoy -- the activities that relax me -- became stressful. As an early language learner, though, I felt like I was failing when this piece of good advice didn't work for me.

There are countless methods for learning a language, and I believe that all of them are good, but they aren't all good for everyone. Instead of just giving language learning advice, this recurring segment focuses on reasons specific pieces of good advice may not work for everyone. Doing activities you love but in your target language is good advice, and in this episode I explore some of the reasons it can be useful for listening input and gaining vocabulary. Just because it's good advice, however, doesn't mean it's good for everyone, so I also discuss reasons why this method may not be for you...and that's okay. I also brainstorm some ideas for how we can mold this advice and shape it into something that does work for us, if desired, and I hope to inspire you to discover your own creative, personalized language learning journey.

If you like this episode, you can check out Good Advice Gone Wrong from Season 1 here, where I talk about watching kids' TV in your target language.

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