6 Helpful Steps for Introverts to Take to Learn A Foreign Language

According to some, we are all categorized as either an introvert, or an extrovert. I personally am an introvert (INFJ). What do introvert and extrovert mean, and how can introverts learn a foreign language.

Prefer to listen instead of read? Listen to Living in English: 365 podcast episode #86: “How Introverts Learn the English Language.“

What are introverts and extroverts?

Let’s first start with what these two things are. It’s no secret that there are talkative people, who seem to never stop chatting, and then there are the rest of us. The “rest of us” is a mix of different folks. Some who enjoy peace and quiet, some who love loud and chatty spaces, and some who, frankly, don’t like other people.

Be honest, which of those are you…

For me, I prefer quiet. I like my own company and can become overwhelmed and exhausted when I’m in a group of other people. Those like me are categorized as introverts by psychologists.

People who gain energy from the company of other people and feel bored or restless are generally called extroverts. There are many different kinds of extroverts and introverts. In fact, there are some people who would call themselves both (ambiverts)! However, the majority of humans can categorize themselves into either introverts or extroverts.

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A note about what introversion is not…

Before I get to how to learn a language as an introvert, let me first say a few important things about what introversion is not.

First of all, I’m not talking about shyness when I say “introvert.” They are not mutually exclusive. This means that you can be shy, but not an introvert. Similarly, you can be an introvert, but not shy. So, I want you to kill the idea that introvert=shy.

Also, there’s no such thing as those people are just better language learners. NO! Nearly every human on earth has learned a first/native language, so it’s simply inaccurate to say some are better at learning languages than other people. We all know a language! In addition, extroverts are not necessarily better at learning a foreign language. People are different. Some introverts thrive in certain language sections while performing poorly in others. It just depends.

I also want you to remember that I am not talking about people who are antisocial or don’t like other people in general. Those people could be extroverts or introverts.

Phew! Okay, now that we’ve cleared all of that out of the way, let’s get into these 6 tips for introverts learning a foreign language.

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6 tips on how introverts can learn a language

Are extroverts better at learning languages? That’s a blog post for a different day. However, introverts can do everything that extroverts can do. They should manage their energy levels and decide if it’s something they truly want to do. These six ways will help introverts learn English better:

1. Realistic

I need you to be realistic, sweetie. If you don’t like talking to other people in your mother tongue, you’re not going to like it in English. Those are facts. You won’t miraculously become someone you’re not just because you start speaking a different language. The same can be said for being in loud, boisterous social settings. Please don’t expect too much from yourself. You’re still going to be you. I can’t stress this enough! When I went to study in central France in 2011, I went with my expectations of becoming fluent in French too high. Needless to say things did not go as planned. I didn’t party much before I left nor did I drink alcohol or coffee, so where was I going to find these French speakers with whom to practice? Well, I didn’t… I was disappointed, but I only had myself to blame in the end.

2. Similar

As I already said, there are many other language learners who are introverts: find them! Befriend them. Start meaningful language exchange relationships with them. No one said you had to go and talk to strangers (because that’s not intimidating at all…). Where can you meet introverts who are learning your language? You can meet them in Facebook Groups, Italki, Instagram, reading groups, Meet Ups, etc. In my case, I joined an online language community and found a lovely language exchange partner. We’re both introverted, and we don’t have everything in common, but we find common ground and practice our language skills.

3. Prepare

If you come prepared to any situation, you’re more likely to be successful in it. For example, I enjoy coffee. When I traveled to Turkey last month, I learned how to order coffee in turkey. But that’s not all! I also learned variations of this. I learned how to order coffee with milk, or how to tell the server that I wanted my coffee with one or two sugar cubes. Moreover, I learned what the waiter’s responses would be. I felt much more confident in my ability to survive that scenario after I did this. I suggest that you do the same.

Listen

We’re often great listeners. Apply this superpower when you’re alone in social settings. For instance, notice social interactions around you. How much space is between strangers or close friends? Are people speaking and laughing loudly? Are they using any special phrases when they order? What about gestures, body language, etc.?

Thought-for-thought

Look, introverts are often already lost in their own thoughts. Make yourself think in English. In other words, your thoughts should be in English. Don’t just think them, though. Say the sentences aloud! You can’t just practice thinking the words. What good is that! You must also practice saying and pronouncing the words as well. After all, didn’t you learn this language to speak it?

4. Goal

Okay, excuse the African-American Vernacular speech in the subtitle, but seriously, what’s your goal? As I said in the previous point, are you learning English to speak, or only to listen to podcasts or watch films/T.V. shows? Whatever your goal is, you need to spend the majority of your time doing it to strengthen the skill. There’s no other way around that, friend.

5. Chill

Some extroverted people can be exhausting. In a world full of talkative, loud people, it’s easy to start hating yourself and wishing to God that you had a different personality. But don’t do that. You don’t have to be like them. Don’t force yourself to be someone that you’re not. You can better manage this by setting time limits for social interactions. Similarly, reduce your group interactions. Try one-to-one situations more often, or start with them and then advance to group situations.

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6. Self-Talk

I’ve already spoken at length about this one, so I won’t do it again here. You can prepare yourself and improve your skills by starting with you. You can talk to yourself or to your pets! Listen to episode #54 of the Living in English: 365 podcast to get more details.

Final wrap-up

Introverts are terrific at learning languages, we just do it a bit different than extroverts. There are many more tips that introverts could use to learn a language, but these are the most important ones. How can introverts learn languages? By staying true to who you are as a person, managing your energy levels, and preparing yourself before you have to face a social language challenge. Once you take those small but powerful steps, you, introvert dear, will be a much better language learner.

Are you an introvert learning a language? Tell me one effective tip that you use for learning languages