你有多少次會嘗試學習一門語言然後又放棄?也許，你無意識中犯了一些「戰略性」的錯誤。學習一門新的語言就和參加健身房改掉壞習慣是一樣的。不要管你是為了什麼而下定決心，很不幸，結果總是一樣的。在一開始的「極速前進」之後，動機逐漸消退，面對當初滿懷熱情買來的語法書，你會發現自己已經產生不滿情緒了。
但是，為什麼呢?為什麼大家都覺得學習一門語言很困難，且需要大量的時間來練習呢?是因為我們都有一些忙自己沒意識到(所因而也不能改正)的壞習慣嗎?來看看最常見的錯誤，並找出避免他們的辦法吧。
1. Take it slow
放慢節奏
When the adventure of a new language starts, your enthusiasm knows no bounds. On the one hand, that’s something very positive. On the other hand, it’s important not to rely on enthusiasm alone. When the newness and initial excitement has worn off, you might not know where to find the motivation to learn. That’s why it’s necessary to steer your initial exuberance in the right direction, and not let it disappear like a flash in the pan. It’s better to take it slow - tame your enthusiasm and make sure that learning a language becomes a regular daily activity.
當一門新的語言帶來的挑戰剛開始時，你的熱情是無限的。一方面，這是很積極的事。另一方面，不唯獨依靠熱情也是很重要的。當新鮮感和一開始的興奮褪去，你可能就找不到學習的動機了。這就是為什麼將你最初的情感控制在一個正確的方向是必要的，不要讓它如同曇花一現般消失。放慢節奏會更好——控制住你的熱情度，確保學習語言成為一項有規律的日常活動。
Otherwise something like this might happen: You』ll study every day for the first week. Already in the second week you』ll skip a day because you’re too tired. The following week it happens again, and then again the week after that. Soon, you』ll be staring, frustrated, at that pile of language books on your desk.
否則，可能就會發生這樣的事：第一個星期，你每天都在學習。第二個星期，你會因為太過疲勞而跳過一天。接下來的一個星期也會這樣，然後以此重複。很快，你就會堆著桌上堆積如山的語言書籍幹瞪著眼、充滿挫敗感。
Our Tip: Steer your initial exuberance in the right direction and make sure that learning a language becomes a regular daily activity. Ten minutes a day is better than full-on for a week and then nothing after that.
我們的建議：將你最初的情感控制在一個正確的方向，確保學習語言成為一項有規律的日常活動。比起將一個星期的時間塞得滿滿當當，每天花十分鐘的效果會更好。
2. The benefits of a bad memory
健忘的好處
No, we’re not crazy. We’re talking to all those people who think that memorization is the key to everything, to everyone who boasts about their photographic memory, and to everyone who gets stuck on vocabulary lists. Don’t get us wrong: a good memory is definitely helpful, but one should not forget (no pun intended) to use and train it the right way.
不，我們可沒瘋。我們在和所有認為記憶力是一切的關鍵的人對話，在和所有為自己過目不忘的記憶力而得意洋洋的人對話，在和所有記憶詞彙表有困難的人對話。別誤會我們：好的記憶力固然很有幫助，但是一個人不要忘記，要用正確的方法來使用並培養它。
Memorizing entire phrases can be helpful in certain, clearly-definedsituations (like picking up your luggage at the airport, for example). But it won’t be of any benefit when topics come up in conversation that weren’t in that book you so diligently memorized.
在確定、清晰定義的情形下(例如在機場撿起你的行李)，記住整個短語是有幫助的。但是，當主題是從你努力背誦的書籍以外的對話中提出來時，這將不會起一丁點作用。
Use your memory and make it your ally. Learn phrases and words with which you can make associations or create mnemonic devices. And when a word doesn’t seem to want to come out, find an alternative or paraphrase what you mean. In this way, you don’t only get your synapses firing, but you can also remember things better and for longer periods of time. Try it for yourself!
利用好你的記憶力，使之成為你的助手。學習一些可以使你產生聯想或運用記憶技巧的詞語和短語。當你想不起一個詞的時候，找一個近義詞或將你的意思解釋出來。用這樣的方式，你就不用太傷腦筋，卻又可以更好、更長久地記住東西。試試吧!
Our Tip: Your memory is an important ally if you use it intelligently.
我們的建議：如果你能夠聰明地運用你的記憶力，它將會成為你重要的助手。
3. Nobody’s perfect
人無完人
No one is perfect… and you shouldn’t try to be! One of the first obstacles you encounter on the path to 「fluent mastery」 of a language is the absurd and premature demand you place on yourself to speak with perfect and error-free pronunciation and grammar. Of course, you can and will get there with a lot of practice, but it shouldn’t be the highest priority when you’re getting to know a completely new language.
人無完人······你不必苛求自己盡善盡美!你在通往「熟練掌握一門語言」的路上遇到的第一個阻礙就是，要求自己講外語時擁有零瑕疵的發音和語法，這種要求是荒謬且不成熟的。當然，你可以，也應該通過大量的練習做到這一點，但是當你學習一門完全陌生的語言時，你不必將其作為頭號任務。
If you get lost in especially complicated grammar when you’re trying to say something simple, or if you’re only sure of yourself when you don’t make even the smallest pronunciation mistakes, then it’s highly likely that within a few weeks, you』ll give up out of total frustration.
當你試圖描述一些簡單的事物，卻陷入複雜的語法裡找不著方向，或者你只能在不犯任何發音錯誤時才能相信自己時，那麼你就很可能在幾周內就會因為全然沮喪而放棄。
「Until I can speak perfectly, I won’t speak. But if I don’t speak, I』ll never improve and can give up hope of ever being able to speak perfectly」. It’s a Catch 22!
「在我能流利地發言之前，我不會開口。但如果我不開口，我就永遠不能提高，也就會因為不能說好外語而放棄希望。這就是進退兩難!」
Our Tip: Give yourself a break and don’t be afraid to make mistakes! You』ll soon see the progress that』ll bring you closer to your goal.
我們的建議：給自己休息的時間，不要害怕犯錯!你很快就會看到使你接近目標的進步!
4. All work and no play…
只工作不娛樂
It’s exactly you – so tirelessly and steadfastly learning – who we’re speaking to here: Are you finally going to get up out of that chair, or do you want to put down roots right where you’re sitting? You’re diligent and persistent. You』ve used your memory and your desire to learn in the best way possible. You』ve trusted yourself to speak to people because you understand that we all learn from making mistakes. And now? Now it’s time to give yourself a reward!
我們就是對這樣的你——一直不知疲倦地學習——所說的：你打算從椅子上起來嗎?或者說你是想在椅子上紮根嗎?你勤奮且堅忍不拔。你儘可能以最好的方式，運用自己的記憶力和希望來學習你相信自己能夠在人們面前說外語，因為你明白失敗乃成功之母。現在呢?給自己獎勵的時間到了!
When you set such a big goal as learning a new language, it’s important now and then to pat yourself on the back and enjoy the success you』ve achieved. You』ve managed to have your first real-life conversation? You』ve got all that difficult pronunciation down? You』ve gotten through the jungle of pronouns? Then you should celebrate it and do something fun! Watch a film, sing a song at the top of your lungs, or listen to the radio… but, of course, in the language you’re learning! When you couple language learning with activities that bring you joy, you』ll learn more effectively and remember what you』ve learned more easily.
當你將學習一門新的語言作為自己的目標時，那麼現在獎勵一下自己，好好享受成功也是很重要的。你成功地做到了現實中的第一次對話?你克服了所有的發音困難?你弄清楚了所有的代詞?那麼你就應該好好慶祝一下，做些有趣的事!看看電影、放聲歌唱、或者聽聽廣播······但是，當然是和你所學語言相關的!當你將學習語言和快樂的活動結合在一起的時候，你會更有效地學習，並更輕鬆地記住所學的內容。
Our Tip: You don’t have to learn like a crazy person. There should also be time to combine the enjoyable with the practical, and have fun while learning!
我們的建議：你不需要像一個瘋子一樣地去學習。只要將興趣與實踐結合，快樂地學習![/cn]
5. The goal is always within sight
總是設置現實的目標
Learn the art of always keeping your goal within sight. Of course, anyone could say that learning for learning’s sake is the ideal pictureof education… that goes without saying. But if you want to reach the end of the road, it’s important that you’re aware of why you stepped onto the path in the first place.
學習設置眼前的目標的技巧。當然，誰都會說，為了學而學就是教育的寫照，這不必說。但如果你想走到路的盡頭，明白自己當初為什麼走上這條路是很重要的。
Why are you learning a new language? For love? To get a raise? Because you want to try your luck in a new country? Because you can’t stand films that are dubbed? Very good. Keep your goal in sight and imagine that with every tiny step forward, the path to your goal gets shorter and the top of the mountain gets closer.
你為什麼想學習一門新的語言?為了愛情?為了加薪?為了在一個新的國家碰碰運氣?因為無法忍受譯製影片?很好。設置現實的目標，想像你每前進一小步，通往目標的路就越短，你距離山頂就越近。
Our Tip: Keeping a goal in sight increases motivation. Before you start, set a goal!
我們的建議：通過設立現實的目標來激發動力。在開始之前，設立目標!