Have you ever said “I’m just not good at languages”?

I hear this all the time, especially from native English speakers in Switzerland.

My husband used this excuse for 10 years. Then last month, he passed his FIDE A2 German exam.

Not only that — he decided to continue learning German the day after and now believes he will be able to get to B1 spoken within a year.

What has changed?

Let’s break down why thinking you’re “not a language person” is holding you back — and what to do about it.

The “Bad at Languages” Myth

Think about it: you already speak at least one language (almost) perfectly — your native language. You learned it without textbooks, without grammar rules, and without stress.

You learned it by listening, trying, making mistakes, and keeping at it.

“But that’s different!” you might say. “I was a child then!”

Yes, learning as an adult is different. But in some ways, it’s actually easier. Here’s why:

1. You Already Know How Language Works

• You understand that words have meanings
• You know how sentences are built
• You can explain what you want
• You understand context

2. You Have Adult Learning Advantages

• You can take notes
• You can spot patterns
• You can use technology
• You can plan your learning

Real Stories, Real People

Let me tell you about my husband. He’s British and spent 10 years in Switzerland saying he wasn’t a “language person.”

He tried and failed so many times that one language school actually asked him to leave.

It turned out that because he never properly learned a foreign language, he had a lot of trouble understanding grammar explanations. It didn’t help that the explanations given by the teachers were all in German.

Once he identified the problem and changed the approach, he gained a lot of confidence, and actual skills.

Today, he can:

• Order in German at restaurants
• Understand train announcements
• Chat with the preschool teachers about our kids
• Pass official language exam — Fide A1/2

What changed? Not his “language ability.” He simply found the right approach.

The Truth About Language Learning

Here’s what most people get wrong about learning German:

You Don’t Need to Be Perfect

• Native speakers make mistakes too
• Communication is more important than grammar
• You don’t need to know every word
• Progress matters more than perfection

You Don’t Need Special Talent

• Language learning is a skill, not a talent
• Skills can be learned
• Everyone can improve
• Small steps add up

You Don’t Need to Study for Hours

• 30 minutes a day can work
• Consistent practice beats long study sessions
• Real-life practice counts
• Every little bit helps

What Actually Works

Instead of focusing on being “good at languages,” focus on these simple steps:

Listen More, Study Less

• Use YouTube videos in German
• Listen during your commute
• Watch German TV with subtitles
• Let your ears get used to the sounds

Start Small

• Learn one useful phrase at a time
• Practice in safe situations
• Build confidence slowly
• Celebrate small wins

Make It Real

• Practice ordering coffee in German
• Try reading simple signs
• Use German numbers at shops
• Say “Danke” instead of “Thank you”

Use Your Strengths

• Are you social? Talk to people
• Like reading? Start with simple books
• Enjoy TV? Watch German shows
• Love music? Learn German songs

Breaking the Mental Block

The biggest barrier to learning German isn’t your ability — it’s believing you can’t do it. Here’s how to change that:

Replace “I can’t” with “I’m learning”

• Instead of “I’m bad at German”, say “I’m learning German”
• Instead of “I’ll never get this”, say “I’m not there yet”

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

• Celebrate small victories
• Notice daily improvements
• Keep a learning diary
• Remember where you started

Use Your “Why”

• Want to feel more at home?
• Need it for your permit?
• Want to understand your neighbours?

Keep this reason in mind every time you doubt if you can continue trying.

Next Steps

To help you prepare effectively, I’ve created a comprehensive study guide based on the official FIDE format. It includes:

• Practice scenarios
• Study schedules
• Test-taking strategies
• Real-life preparation tips

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