No English

No English are you kidding? What are you talking about, the English language is what we all communicate in.

The purpose of this post is to convey how to speak a foreign language. Not just the idea of speaking a foreign language, or a method to learn a language, but actually getting your tongue and mouth to speak it.

No English speaking allowed if you want to learn a foreign language

Saying no  English

I live in Europe but I am from the USA. I see many expats, myself included, who fall into the habit of speaking English. Why?

• It is easier.
• People speak English to you so you reply in English.
• Europeans have studied English since they were a kids and want to practice with you.
• You do not feel confident in your new language.

Well here are the reasons to stop English:

• Short term pain now during the learning process but living in your new country will be much easier if you speak the language, believe me.
• If they speak English to you, reply in their language and do not compromise. Be strong, in fact be a little rude if they speak English and tell then you do not speak English.  It is not a lie.  It means you do not speak to them in this magic language. they can do without English. Be rude to them as they are disrespecting you.
• They are using you.  You might say they are trying to be nice, but they are not.  They are using you, to practice their English.  If they were really nice they would help you with your target language, Italian or Spanish or French or whatever it is.
• If you do not believe in yourself, start.  Belief often comes after action, like faith often comes after prayer. Know that the ability to speak a language is a general skill, that every human has, not a specific talent like being a pro golfer.

I have taught languages for many years.  There are only two types of people. Those who say no English and learn to speak and those who muddle around and never speak their foreign language.  They often defer responsibility to other, teachers, schools or resources.  Or they say they do not have time.  What are you kidding me, you do not have time to speak?

Without English – you will change your life

Well only because for many years I spoke a little bit of English and a little bit of Polish, while I lived in Poland. Well actually more English, than my target foreign language.   Now I am trying to kick the habit.

No English

Say no to English and teaching others to learn English, while you wallow in your target language.  If they want to learn English they can move to the USA.

English language addiction

English is an addiction like any other., really.  If you have every criticized someone for addictive behavior, start to look in the mirror, you are the one who is guilty.  So before you cast any stones, become aware of your behavior.

You are like some guy sleeping under a bridge, with a bottle,  actually worse as he has no pretenses, you do.  You run a racket or self deception, he is at least honest.

Stop English – from awareness to behavior

We could talk philosophy and psychology until we are blue in the face on the topic of behavior or motivation and changing yourself.  No need to.  Here is the way you can say no English.

• Make a promise to yourself, and in front of someone who respects you that you will not speak English, but only your target foreign language or nothing at all.
• Make this for a concrete time period.  Do not say forever, it is too long, say for one month for example you will not speak the dreaded English language. Once you pass your first time period, give yourself a break and then try another no English time.

You are only as good as your word.  If you have any self respect for the truth and your word you will not lie.  You will not try, as trying is a lie. You will simply say no English language and start to speak your target language no matter what level you are at today.

If you do not like this idea of a promise, then just be honest with yourself and others and put a sign on your back that says, I am a liar and really only pretend to want to learn a language. Maybe I am a little hard but that is the reality.

Anti English

The whole purpose of this post if to make you as a  native English speaker to learn a foreign language. I love my native language of course and I am not anti English. It is just that the world is full of adventure and experiences and if you can learn even one foreign language, it will change your life in a positive way.

Therefore, heed my advice on making a promise to delete English from your life for a while.  If anyone has a better way to learn a language or a change behavior let me know.  However, I believe being honest with yourself is the best way to change any behavior including living saying not to the English language for a while until you learn your target language.

Tags: learn a language