Why is learning an additional language not as easy as learning your first language?

When I first arrived in Portugal back in 1992, I was a dancer, but it was mime skills that I needed to communicate with the locals.

Did they ever take a breath?! It was so difficult to pick out individual words, as there seemed to be no pauses.

‘Luckily’, I had a friend who had worked there before and knew a few phrases. He taught me a really useful phrase to use as a casual greeting. I used it in every social occasion to show I was friendly and willing to ‘have a go’ at Portuguese. Not surprising people smiled (and laughed) when I greeted them with ‘Ei pa, que chato pa!’ (Hey man, you are so annoying!)

What I learnt from this first experience (apart from the fact that I should check meaning carefully!), is that remembering phrases and ‘chunks’ of language is actually an effective language learning method. These phrases became really useful to analyse and reference as I studied more formally.

I also recognised that communication is so much more than just the words we speak. Body language, stress, tone and energy all contribute to being fully understood.

These elements became embodied not just my in teaching practice but also in my training sessions and the materials I have written.

Because language learning doesn’t come naturally to me, (and I know what it’s like to have to learn a language to survive!), I believe it’s made me a better teacher.  I have a better understanding of what learners need, and just as importantly what teachers need to help their learners.