[11] The Hardest Thing In Language Learning

In this episode, I talk about what I believe to be the single most difficult aspect of language learning.

I call it the one thing that you can’t bull***t in language learning — listening comprehension.

Summary:

• ‘Speaking a language’ is easy – comprehending it is the real challenge.
• You see a lot of people on YouTube putting speaking videos up after a few months – but can they understand what they hear?
• Listening comprehension is by far the most challenging and time consuming process in language learning.
• I did military testing for a language-related role – they weren’t interested in my speaking skills. They tested my listening skills.
• Your goal should not be just to “be understood” but to “be understood <span style={{textDecoration: underline}}>and understand”.

Related blog post:

Read my blog post on the one thing that can’t be BS’d in language learning.

One of the best comprehension trainers I’ve used is Glossika.