Learning a language can be an excruciating experience, or it can be a journey that leaves you feeling proud and accomplished. Which way it goes for you depends largely on how you approach the task. If you dive in without thought or preparation, you are likely going to end up feeling frustrated and defeated, as has happened to many others. If you plan well, on the other hand, you will likely become a proud and accomplished learner of a second language. The most important part of preparing to learn a second language is defining fluency for your own purposes. There are three reasons why you should take this approach to learning.

Breaking Down a Large and Daunting Task

Many people think that becoming fluent in a language means communicating like a native speaker. This is simply not true, and, as you know, not even all native speakers of a language speak with the same level of fluency. So, why should you, a non-native speaker, define success in such broad and unattainable terms? You shouldn't, and if you do you will set yourself up for failure. Instead, you should set different fluency goals. In the beginning, at the very minimum, fluency should be defined in terms of daily activities. That is, you should consider yourself to be fluent in your target language when you develop the ability to complete daily tasks, such as eating out, getting directions, booking travel services, and making purchases. Breaking down such a huge and hard-to-grasp task into smaller pieces will keep you moving forward, instead of becoming overwhelmed and frustrated.

Setting Attainable Goals

As I mentioned above, the absence of fluency goals causes language learners to inadvertently set unattainable goals, causing frustration and a lack of commitment. Defining fluency for your own purposes, on the other hand, allows you to set goals that are both visible and attainable. Having clear, attainable goals keeps learners motivated by providing finishing points throughout their studies; it always feel good to finish something that you have started. And, of course, success breeds success, so once you attain a fluency goal, you will be excited to try another. With these attainable goals, expect your learning to be efficient and enjoyable.

Keeping Focused

If you are studying a second language because you want to vacation in a place where people speak a language other than your own, do you really need to develop the ability to discuss scientific principles in your target language. No, you don't, but I have seen scores of general language textbooks that include vocabulary words from the scientific and business disciplines. What is the result of this? Wasted time and energy. Define fluency for your own purposes, and you will have laser-targeted goals, and you will become fluent much quicker. There is no reason to learn vocabulary words and expressions that you are never going to use.

Of course, I'm not saying that it isn't useful to learn the language of business or science in a second language, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time in a country that uses said language. I am saying, however, that such an endeavor should be defined as an additional fluency. Define fluency for your own purposes and you will excel. Undertake your learning experience without focus and you will wander off into the land of frustration and failure.

Final Thoughts

Learning a language is a lot of work, and if you do not set clear, attainable goals you will become one of the many who become frustrated and give up. If you define fluency for your own purposes, on the other hand, you will find motivation and success. Remember, learning a language is not about becoming fluent or not becoming fluent, but, instead, about attaining different levels of fluency.

Good Luck with this and all of your future learning endeavors.

Ryan Wiley has published nine language learning textbooks. To learn how to pick up a new language quickly and easily, visit his The Best Way to Learn a Language page.

Or, take his free Chinese Course http://www.liveinasiablog.com/chinese-course/.