Formality kills

The more formal you make language learning, the more difficult it becomes.

Surely everyone gets this!?

But no. Teachers dress in suits, don ties, and arrange classrooms in rows. 

It's all a big con. Put on a professional appearance so that our students believe that we know what we're doing. That they are getting their money's worth.

This really works to the disadvantage of cultures where presentation and image is such a big factor - Japan for example.

Help out others

The best way to learn anything is to teach it.

There are two ways to go about that that I can think of. One is to tutor people. The second is to write a book and/or design a course.

That’s right . . . you’re on to me!

I’ll say more about tutoring elsewhere (under the tag 'coaching'). But for now I’ll suggest that you do it on a level platform. That is to say, don’t imagine that you are some sort of teacher. You don’t know it all. And you don’t know others as well as they know themselves. So be a little humble and make your sessions a partnership. Be a team player.

As for writing a book, the challenge is to give advice that is universal for all individuals. I believe that this is possible, but “these things must be done delicately . . .”

Demand this from a language teacher

I recommend that’ve previously advised you not to be taught by a teacher. In fact, I’ve advised you not to be taught at all; that will happen quite automatically if you do things right. And yet you may decide to ignore that advice.

Not to worry.

But do this one thing--not for me, but for yourself.

You must make a few demands of any teacher. There are certain things that you have a right to expect from that person.

Has he or she had any form of training beyond knowing the target language themselves? After all, you might enjoy a good meal, but does that mean that you know how to cook one? Knowing is one thing. Teaching is another.

Does your teacher know a second language, or is he or she in the process of learning one? Unless they do (or are) then they cannot have any understanding of what it is like for you as a learner.

Is your teacher training you to be independent so as to be able to continue improving after your course is done? Or do they expect you to take lessons from them forever?

Is your teacher treating you as an individual? Does your teacher understand that your style of learning may be quite different from the run-of-the-mill individual?

Is your teacher giving you new words to learn (wrong) or employing a grammar-heavy strategy (wrong again)?

Does your teacher give you ideas about HOW to learn?

Does your teacher pounce on your every error? They shouldn't.

Teachers and teaching

There’s nothing wrong with most teachers. And there’s nothing wrong with most teaching pedagogies. (MOST of them, I say.)

But when it comes to languages, avoid both. Maybe not as much as you would The Plague, but avoid them nonetheless.

Teachers/teaching and languages don’t mix. Sorry. They’re like oil and water. 

Why do I say that?

Because no one ever learned a language from a teacher.

It’s true. No one in the history of the world ever learned a language thanks to being taught. They learned it themselves! 

Look, a teacher can help, get you started, maybe motivate you a little, but you are the one who puts in the hours!

At a pinch, you might consider a coach. But make sure that you have an equal say as he or she. (I used to be a teacher, so I know what I'm talking about.)