Overcoming common barriers to language learning

Tackling the things that stop you from learning

Learning a language isn’t just about memorising words and grammar - it’s about navigating the real-life challenges that can slow you down. From lack of time to fear of making mistakes, there are plenty of hurdles that can make progress feel frustrating. But these barriers aren’t insurmountable. With the right approach, you can find practical ways to keep going, even when motivation dips or life gets in the way.

Photo by Matthew Garoffolo on Unsplash

1. I don’t have enough time.

The classic excuse. Life is busy and adding language learning to an already packed schedule can feel impossible. But the truth is, you don’t need to dedicate hours every day to make progress. The trick is to integrate the language into things you already do.

• Turn dead time into learning time – Listen to a short podcast while making breakfast, read a few sentences in your target language before bed or label objects around your house.

• Use micro-learning – Five minutes here and there genuinely add up. A quick vocab review while waiting for the kettle to boil? That’s progress.

• Make it social – If you spend time with family or friends, introduce little bits of your target language into conversation, even if it’s just saying “good morning” or asking “would you like a coffee?” in Spanish, German or French.

2. I’m too old to learn a language.

No, you’re not. Adults actually have advantages over children when learning languages - like better reasoning skills, more life experience and the ability to understand grammar rules explicitly. The main thing that holds adults back is a fear of making mistakes.

• Redefine success – You don’t need to sound like a native speaker to be successful. The goal is communication, not perfection.

• Find what works for you – Unlike kids in school, you have the freedom to choose methods that suit you, whether that’s reading, conversation practice or structured courses.

3. I don’t have anyone to practice with.

Language is about communication so it’s natural to feel stuck if you don’t have people to talk to. But there are ways around this.

• Use shadowing – Listen to native speakers and repeat what they say, mimicking their intonation and rhythm. It’s surprisingly effective.

• Talk to yourself – Narrate what you’re doing in your target language. It’s not weird; it’s practice.

• Join online communities – Language exchange apps, forums or even just leaving comments in your target language on social media can help you interact.

4. I keep forgetting words.

Forgetting is part of learning. The key is to make words stick by encountering them in different contexts.

• Don’t just memorise, use it – Write new words in sentences, say them out loud and try to use them in real conversations. Activate your knowledge.

• Make connections – Link new words to ones you already know, create mental images or use mnemonic tricks.

• Focus on high-frequency words – Some words appear all the time; others, barely ever. Learn the ones that will actually be useful first.

5. Grammar is too hard.

Grammar can feel intimidating, especially if explanations are dry or overly technical. But grammar is just the way a language organises itself - it’s not there to confuse you, it’s there to make communication clearer.

• Look for patterns – Most grammar follows rules (even if they’re sometimes a bit wonky). Spot the patterns rather than trying to memorise endless exceptions.

• Learn grammar in chunks – Instead of drilling abstract rules, learn whole phrases and sentences that show how grammar is actually used.

The key takeaway

Language learning will always come with challenges, but none of them are insurmountable. The trick is to adjust your approach when you hit a roadblock rather than giving up. Small, consistent effort beats sporadic cramming every time. And most importantly - keep going. Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress.