Czy płynność w języku jest tuż poza Twoim zasięgiem? Gdzie jest granica poznania języka? Czy da się ją przekroczyć? Zapraszam na dziewiąty odcinek podcastu Umiem po angielsku.
Have you ever found yourself chasing the idea of being truly fluent in a foreign language? That magical moment when you wake up one day and suddenly feel, „Yes, now I know the language.” It’s a nice dream, isn’t it? But here’s the truth — that moment doesn’t exist. Fluency isn’t a finish line you cross; it’s more like a journey with no final destination. In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about why the concept of a magical threshold in language learning is misleading, and why it’s okay to let go of that idea.
My name is Ania and you’re listening to the 9th episode of Umiem po angielsku.
While listening to the podcast, I’d like you to focus on some phrases today. These are: chasing the idea of, a finish line you cross, adapt to changes, the answer lies in, stepping stones, goals are tangible, the big picture, along the way, and finish line. As you listen, try to see if you can understand these expressions from the context. Don’t worry if you don’t—I’ll explain each one at the end of the episode. There is also a link to a transcription of this episode in the description.
Let’s start with a simple fact: the definition of „knowing a language” is subjective. For one person, it might mean being able to hold basic conversations during travels. For another, it could be writing essays or conducting business negotiations. What’s interesting is that even people who have studied a language for years often feel they „don’t know it.” They look at the gaps in their vocabulary or the grammar mistakes they still make and think, “I’m not there yet.”
This feeling, this dissatisfaction, is common at all levels. Beginners see the mountain ahead and feel overwhelmed. Advanced learners find that the higher they climb, the harder it is to see their progress. Why? Because the steps forward become smaller and smaller as you improve. You might learn a rare idiom or a subtle grammatical nuance, but these gains are harder to notice compared to the big jumps you make as a beginner.
And then there’sthat magical boundary we believe in — a line that we think we’ll cross to become fluent. The reality is that this boundary is an illusion. You can chase it your whole life, and it will always stay just out of reach. Language is too dynamic, too vast for anyone to know it completely. Even native speakers continue to learn new words, adapt to changes in usage, and discover cultural nuances throughout their lives.
I’ve experienced this myself. Despite holding a C1-C2 level in English, I often catch myself thinking, „I don’t really know this language.” Sometimes, it feels like only my certificate proves my skills. What truly gives me a sense of achievement are the little things: learning new vocabulry, even one word or expression that is pretty difficult to find in a dictionary but I know it from a native speaker. Mastering a grammatical structure, or creating a language island that I can confidently use in real life. Similar experiences have happened to me with other languages, like French, where I focused on setting small, realistic goals that gave me a sense of progress. For instance, I remember travelling to France and deliberately creating opportunities to practise French. I didn’t need a map, but I went to the tourist information centre just to ask for one and have a conversation. I chatted with my host in French, even though we could’ve spoken English. I asked waiters additional questions, all prepared in advance. Those small victories felt incredibly rewarding.
So, what can we do instead of chasing an impossible goal? The answer lies in setting clear, achievable objectives. These are your stepping stones, your way of measuring real progress. For example:
- Learn to talk about a specific topic you love, like a hobby, about your family or your work. This is often called a “language island” — a safe space where you feel confident.
- Master a particular grammatical structure, such as past perfect or conditionals, or be going to, or even something smaller just choose one modal verb you know how to use in sertain situations. You don’t have to be perfect at once.
- What’s more, you can practise ordering food in a restaurant or asking for help in a shop. You can just start small as always. You don’t have to go big.
These goals are tangible. It’s not like I’ll be happy when I know the entire language. No you won’t. You won’t know the entire language. So set tangible goals. They give you a sense of accomplishment, and they show you that progress isn’t always about the big picture. It’s about the small victories along the way.
Letting go of the idea of a magical language threshold doesn’t mean giving up. It means recognising that learning a language is a lifelong process, and that’s something to celebrate, not fear. Every word you learn, every sentence you , every mistake you make is part of the journey.
So, instead of asking yourself when you will know the language, ask yourself what your next goal is. Focus on those small, achievable steps. They’ll take you further than any imaginary finish line ever could.
Now, it’s the time to go over the phrases I asked you to focus on at the very beginning of the episode:
Chasing the idea of
- Definition: Trying hard to reach or get something that seems far away or difficult.
- Example: Many people spend years chasing the idea of perfect fluency in a foreign language.
A finish line you cross
- Definition: The point where you complete a goal or task.
- Example: Learning a language is not a finish line you cross; it’s an ongoing journey.
Adapt to changes
- Definition: To change yourself to fit new situations or conditions.
- Example: Even native speakers must adapt to changes in language over time.
The answer lies in
- Definition: The solution is in a specific idea or method.
- Example: The answer lies in setting small, realistic goals.
Stepping stones
- Definition: Small steps that help you reach a bigger goal.
- Example: Learning simple phrases can be stepping stones to fluency.
Goals are tangible
- Definition: Goals that you can clearly see or measure.
- Example: A tangible goal is being able to order food in another language.
Along the way
- Definition: During a journey or process.
- Example: You’ll make mistakes along the way, but they help you learn.
Finish line
- Definition: The end point of a race or a goal.
- Example: There’s no clear finish line in learning a language.
Thank you so much for listening and as always, take care and set realistic goals, because practice is more important than perfection. Cheers!
Umiem po angielsku 