How to learn a foreign language ① (Fun ONLY)

Simply put, it depends on the person and their goals.

But one thing I can say is that the way foreign languages were taught? learned? in school had zero appeal. I got failing grades and had to retake exams. Fill-in-the-blank questions? Does practicing that really improve anything other than 'information processing ability'? If it's about information processing ability, computers can do that now, so it's unnecessary. That educational method? If you're going to keep doing it that way, why not just get rid of that subject itself? I think it's a waste of time, it's boring, and it reduces stress for children, so it would be better. Because you have translation apps, right?

There are many reasons why I wanted to speak a foreign language and live abroad, but among them, the idea of making various friends was a strong one. Laughing together, drinking, talking... Just imagining it sounded fun. With just this imagination, I've continued for many years, and now the number and variety of languages I speak have increased.

First, I was 22. It was in Korean. I joined a Korean company after graduation, so when I answered the phone, I'd hear Korean with a high probability, 'Yeoboseyo (Hello)'. I was in trouble! At first. I could barely speak English, and when I said 'Hello?', all I got back was 'Yeoboseyo?'. It was a back-and-forth. So, I thought, 'I have no choice' (laughs, giving up) and started 'adding' to it. 'Hello, is this Manager XX? Manager XX is not here right now.' -> 'Hello, Manager XX is not at his desk right now, he's in a meeting. He'll be back in an hour. Would you like to leave a message?' (Ah, by the way, even among colleagues, you use polite language for superiors in Korean). I kept adding phrases for phone etiquette, describing the 'situation' in detail. It started to become fun. Grammatically, it's the same as Japanese, so it's fun to add 'afterthought' words.

Then I understood. Once you have the framework, you just need to add the flesh. (Thinking back, it's the same as building an art concept). I kept adding 'unnecessary things' in an interesting way. Then, one day, I was having a full-blown argument in Korean over a work-related issue with someone from the Korean headquarters over the phone. The部長 (manager) from headquarters, who was stationed in the adjacent department, said 'Aoyama-san!' over my shoulder. I thought, 'Oh no! I got too excited! Sorry for being so loud!' But that wasn't it. He said, 'Aoyama-san! Where on earth did you learn to speak Korean so well??' I was so happy.

Right, 'building the framework and adding the flesh.' When I went to America, what did I do? First, I realized that people in this country don't listen to you, haha. You have to accurately convey your demands and situation, or it won't work. And in America, you spend a lot of time driving alone. So, I started 'monologue live commentary.'

For example, 'Okay, a red 1990 or 1991 Ford Mustang is rapidly approaching from behind. Probably going XX miles per hour. It's closing in on my rearview mirror. Dangerous. So, I'm moving from the left lane to the right lane on the highway and passing it. Okay, goodbye.'

I continued these monologues in the car every day. Then, one day, I found myself understanding the play-by-play commentary of American football on TV. Sports commentary is quite fast, right? But I could understand it, and I grinned. I was so happy. Of course, it also improves my ability to give presentations, explain my situation at work, and in daily life. It's a repetition of building the framework and adding the flesh.

Italian is the most fun to speak. The Spanish I spoke in Mexico was also fun. There's something in common. The vibe of the people there is the best. I have the impression they're laughing all day. You can't tell if they're listening to what you're saying or not, or rather, they're not listening, they're laughing! The vibe is the best! If you throw yourself into the vibe, you'll find yourself speaking more and more without realizing it.

It's really about 'this.' When you can speak a foreign language, the best time of human connection through words expands exponentially, like looking through a microscope. Eating delicious food, drinking sake, talking about art, telling jokes. Talking trash about each other's governments. It really makes you grateful for the people you meet there, makes you want to see them again. Makes you want to study more.

I repeat 'building the framework and adding the flesh' again today. Without realizing it, I'm looking up new words in some language today. I can't finish talking about it in one go, so I might talk about language again later...

Talking between people is fun! Let's put away our translators in our pockets.