There’s a common trap in language learning that even the most advanced learners fall into. It’s the belief that one day, you’ll know everything—every word, every nuance, every grammatical rule. That one day, you’ll open your mouth to speak and perfect sentences will pour out, effortlessly.
Let’s get real for a moment: this is a myth. And more importantly, it’s holding you back.
Everyone Makes Mistakes (Yes, Even Native Speakers)
Think about the last time you stumbled over your words in your first language. Maybe you forgot what you were saying mid-sentence. Maybe you used the wrong word. It happens to all of us—because language is messy, even for native speakers.
The same is true for English. Mistakes don’t mean you’re failing; they mean you’re communicating.
The Illusion of Mastery
Somewhere along the way, many of us get this idea that mastering learning English is about perfection. It’s not. Mastery is about connection.
When you ask someone for directions and they understand you, that’s fluency. When you send an email that gets the response you need, that’s fluency. Mastery isn’t about knowing every word—it’s about using the words you know in a way that works.
Let me tell you a secret: no one knows every word. Even English teachers Google things sometimes (when I was in classrooms, Cambridge Dictionary was a constantly open tab on my computer screen!)
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Comparison is a thief of joy. Yet it’s so easy to do, isn’t it? You hear someone with a polished accent or see a colleague using advanced idioms, and suddenly you feel like you’re not good enough.
Here’s the thing: you don’t know their journey. Maybe they’ve been studying English for years longer than you. Maybe they’ve practiced that exact phrase a hundred times. Or maybe they’re just good at faking confidence.
Your progress isn’t measured by someone else’s achievements. It’s measured by how far you’ve come.
Growth Is Continuous
Language learning isn’t a destination; it’s a journey that never really ends. But that’s the beauty of it. There’s always something new to learn, a new challenge to tackle, a new connection to make.
And if you approach it with curiosity instead of pressure, you’ll start to enjoy the process instead of feeling weighed down by it.
Let’s Get Practical
So how do you move forward without falling into the perfection trap? Start by setting realistic, actionable goals.
Instead of “I want to sound like a native speaker,” aim for “I want to feel confident speaking up in team meetings.”
Instead of “I want to memorise 500 new words,” try “I want to practice using the vocabulary I already know more effectively.”
Every small step counts. And when you start to celebrate those steps, you’ll notice how far you’ve already come.
Your Journey, Your Rules
Not knowing everything is normal. In fact, it’s a good thing—it keeps you curious, humble, and always growing. So let go of the idea of perfection, and focus instead on what truly matters: using English to connect, communicate, and thrive in the situations that matter most to you.
To book a free 20-minute consultation for my coaching services, contact me at info@rhiannonelt.com
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