| Mistakes are the Mother of Success: But what does | | | | explore and make mistakes than to play it safe.” |
| this really mean? | | | | Therefore, with regards to mistakes in English, it is |
| Developing confidence is an important part of learning | | | | important to take linguistic risks and it is equally as |
| a language. I am a firm believer that mistakes are an | | | | important to make a mental note and try to examine |
| important part of any learning cycle. As Henry Ford | | | | what went wrong. This process may be tiresome at |
| famously said: “I don’t make mistakes, I learn too | | | | first because you may not know were to begin. Even |
| much from them”. In the case of English as second | | | | if you did not recognize the cause of your mistake, it is |
| language these wise words have so much truth | | | | always a good idea to try and investigate the cause |
| attached to them. In many instances, I have seen | | | | of you language slip. |
| capable non-native English speakers become | | | | I would also like to consider another important part to |
| withdrawn and shy when it comes to speaking with | | | | learning: the discovering of personal study techniques |
| native English speakers. | | | | that will work for you. In educational circles, |
| With regards to increasing confidence, a major | | | | educationalists all agree that “one size” does not |
| obstacle for many Asian speakers to overcome is the | | | | “fit all”, and this is especially the case when it |
| “loss of face” feeling when speaking to native | | | | comes to learning English. Even though there are many |
| English Speakers. It is essential to engage in | | | | study methods out there, the key is to adapt the ones |
| self-deprecating antics which may bring forth laughter | | | | that work for you into your own special style. This |
| from your peers, showing that laughing with and at is | | | | could, for example, be as simple as studying in the |
| accepted as an integral part of the learning process. | | | | morning rather than in the night or having funny word |
| You should constantly remind yourself to leave your | | | | association techniques to remember troublesome |
| “face” at home and that you have nothing to | | | | words. Remember, if it works for you, ‘do it’. |
| lose. Having slightly embarrassing moments and | | | | With all this in mind, unfortunately the world is full of |
| laughing about your language oversights always | | | | critics. They play no ball, they fight no fights. They |
| makes a great story, in English of course. | | | | make no mistakes because they generally attempt |
| Getting back to Henry Ford’s quote, the next stage | | | | nothing. Down in the arena are the doers. They make |
| is to recognize the self-discovery process of one’s | | | | mistakes because they try many things. The person |
| mistakes. Sophia Lorean, a famous Italian and | | | | who makes no mistakes may lack boldness and the |
| American actress once wittingly told a bunch of | | | | spirit for a learning adventure. One may dare to say, |
| reporters that, “After all these years, I am still | | | | this type of person puts the brakes on the wheel of |
| involved in the process of self-discovery. It's better to | | | | progress. |