Introverts and Language Learning¶

When I take one of those silly online personality tests, I will score moderately high in extraversion; which is funny because I am introverted by nature. I’ve learned to emulate the skills of an extravert — such as speaking confidently in a meeting or lecture.

Introversion is often conflated with shyness or sensitivity (such as Sensory Processing Sensitivity). I’d recommend Susan Cain’s book Quiet if you want a better understanding of Introversion (as distinct from shyness).

That said, whether you’re shy, introverted, or a highly sensitive person — you’re likely going to face unique difficulties in language learning.

This is why I don’t advise, “just go talk to people”, and I kind of hate when people tell me that (even though I know it works for some people). I’ve learned the hard way that I will not learn a language by “just” doing anything. For me, and people like me, “just do it” is extraordinarily unhelpful advice.

But let’s be clear: language learning requires practicing mundane and simple conversations, like basic pleasantries about the weather. It’s a lot of small talk.

Zone of Proximal Development¶

This is similar to the concept of a comfort zone, and it is the psychological state just beyond the comfort zone, sometimes referred to as the zone of proximal development. This is where learning actually happens; for clarity I call this the Learning Zone. Beyond this is the danger zone, where you have no idea what’s happening, and you’re not actually learning anything.

Danger Zone Navigation¶

I do not understand => 我不明白
can you say again? => 你可以再說一次嗎?
can you speak slowly please? => 請你慢慢地說?
I do not know how to say => 我不知道怎麼說
let me think => 讓我想想
help me to learn => 幫助我學習

You can do this in any language. Basically, every time you find yourself in a danger zone, take that as an opportunity for learning. Practice these kind of simple phrases until you gain automaticity with each of them.

Learning Zone Navigation¶

how do you say … in Chinese? => …的中文怎麼說?
what is this? => 這是什麼?
what is that? => 那是什麼?
what does that mean? => 那是什麼意思？