31 Steps to Learn a New Language: Step #19 - Tolerate Ambiguity

Language is not just a method of communication, but also the heart of a country's culture. There are certain nuances a learner just cannot understand without having lived in the country for years. And even then, the individual will still have difficulty in wrapping their head and tongue around these things. Examples of such are slang words or words with subtle differences in intentions or usage. A learner must be willing to accept this fact if they are to continue learning in an efficient manner. There are words and phrases that they simply cannot have a complete grasp of.

_{The human mind is, for the most part, set on being in the know. We don't like being uncertain or confused, we seek answers and explanations, a pattern we can recognize to make sense of what's happening around us.}

Phrases, slang, and idioms all have intuitive differences. These differences make it difficult, if not almost impossible for non-native speakers to become fluent. There are certain differences that only native speakers who grew up around the culture can understand. This is in keeping with the previous method of accepting that fluency is too abstract a goal to pursue. It is important to remember that it is just not possible. It is something to keep in mind when a learner feels overwhelmed by the breadth of the language they are studying.

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Here are the previous parts/steps of this series:

_{Step #01: Identify Your Learning Style}

_{Step #02: Set Achievable Goals}

_{Step #03: Accept That You Cannot Always Be Fluent}

_{Step #04: Be Patient and Prepared to Put in Effort}

_{Step #05: Take Advantage of Free Resources}

_{Step #06: Adhere to a Strict Study Schedule}

_{Step #07: Visualize Your Goals}

_{Step #08: Write Notes by Hand}

_{Step #09: Use Flashcards}

_{Step #10: Prepare Visual Aids}

_{Step #11: Revert Back to Childhood}

_{Step #12: Embrace Mistakes}

_{Step #13: Learn How to Listen}

_{Step #14: Read Children's Books}

_{Step #15: Consume Foreign Media You Find Interesting}

_{Step #16: Listen to Radio Stations}

_{Step #17: Learn Practical Phrases}

_{Step #18: Record and Listen to Yourself}

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THANK YOU FOR READING

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