Do you want easy or English? You can’t have both!

Yesterday in class, my students were supposed to be researching for a presentation that they will be giving soon. These students are advanced-level university students who are only a couple months away from entering their field of study. As I walked around the classroom to check on how everyone was doing, I noticed one student doing all of his research in his native language of Japanese.

This student and I have a good rapport, so I joked with him at first, “I see you’re doing some good research in English there…oh wait, that’s Japanese!”

He smiled at me and said, “Yes, it’s easier to research in Japanese.”

Then out of nowhere, a phrase popped in my mind: “Well, do you want easy or do you want English?”

Does Easy English Exist?

This student was in the United States to devote about a year to bettering his English before starting his program of study. His main goal right now is to learn English. My point to him was that it may be easier in the short-term to research in Japanese, but it won’t help him achieve his long-term goal of learning English.

Some students get focused on passing a test or achieving high grades. When that happens, it’s likely that if there is a quicker way to get a higher grade, they will do it. However, dedicated language learners know that the quick way is not usually the way to proficiency. We need constant exposure to English in order to grow in proficiency.

The truth is that it’s easier to use Google translate. It’s easier to only use verb forms we are comfortable with. It’s easier to keep subtitles on. However, those easy paths don’t stimulate language growth. They encourage stagnation.

Learning English is a Journey?

We don’t like to struggle with a language because it’s challenging. It can feel confusing, frustrating, and even humiliating at times – but the struggle is where growth happens! Have you ever watched a baby chick peck its way out of its shell? This newborn chick has to struggle in order to gain freedom from its egg shell. We know that in that struggle, though, the chicken gains the strength it needs to be strong outside the shell. If it never struggled to get out of the shell, it would never be able to experience life beyond the egg.

Remember the journey of a baby chick next time that you want and easy path to English. Easy will limit you in the long run, but the struggle will lead you to strength. If you are committed to long-term success, but need a short-term boost… check out my ebook, 21 Ways to Jumpstart Your English Skills.

What do you think? Comment below with the struggles you have faced to learn English and how you have overcome them. Do you usually take the easy route or do you challenge yourself even when no one else is watching?