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The Common Pitfalls in English Learning: Insights from Alpros

Learning a new language, particularly English, can be a daunting task, especially for those who set overly ambitious goals. Many learners embark on their journey with the mindset that they must achieve fluency or native-level proficiency immediately, only to encounter challenges that lead to frustration and, ultimately, quitting. Alpros, a specialized English education institution based in Tokyo, offers valuable insights into why some learners succeed while others falter in their pursuit of English proficiency. This article aims to explore the key factors that contribute to success in learning English, based on interviews with Alpros instructors, Junichi Iwasaki and Mariko Iwamoto.

The Challenge of Setting Realistic Goals

According to Iwasaki, one of the primary reasons learners give up is the vast disparity between their current skill level and their ideal goals. He emphasizes that excessive focus on perfection can often lead to a lack of progress. Similarly, Iwamoto points out that perfectionists tend to hold themselves back, believing they cannot speak until they fully understand every aspect of the language. This mindset creates a barrier to learning, making it extremely easy for them to become disheartened when progress does not meet their expectations.

Conversely, successful learners at Alpros have a common trait: they prioritize achieving smaller, manageable goals. Rather than fixating on the end goal of fluency, they celebrate small wins along the way. This approach cultivates motivation and sustains a learner's journey over time.

The Importance of Enjoyment in Learning

Both instructors agree that finding the joy in learning is crucial. Successful learners often connect their language goals to enjoyable activities. Iwasaki mentions that setting a goal such as being able to engage in a question-and-answer session during a presentation in three months or increasing vocabulary through entertainment, like watching a TV show, can make the learning process far more rewarding.

For instance, Iwamoto provides an illustrative example of someone attending a Maroon 5 concert. Aspiring to understand the MC's interactions without relying on tests gives this learner a tangible and fun purpose for studying English. These fun goals not only keep motivation high but make learning an enjoyable endeavor rather than a chore.

Breaking Free from Perfectionism

One of the greatest traps learners fall into is the belief that they must be perfect before speaking. Iwasaki has encountered students who, despite having solid knowledge, are inhibited by their need for accuracy. For example, some learners feel they cannot say anything unless they completely grasp the intricacies of verb tenses and grammar rules. The result? They stop trying, paralyzed by their own expectations.

Yet, perfectionism is counterproductive to language acquisition. Both instructors at Alpros advocate for embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. Language learning should not be an endeavor where every sentence spoken must be flawless. Instead, it should involve using the language actively, making mistakes, and learning from them.

Alpros promotes the idea that making mistakes is an opportunity to assess one's understanding. Errors or miscommunications are not failures but stepping stones to progress. When learners receive constructive feedback, they can adjust their knowledge and improve. This approach of