The Language I Live Author’s Column by Tymur Levitin

Many years of teaching have convinced me of one uncomfortable truth. A large number of people believe they cannot speak English. But very often English is not the real problem. The real problem is that they struggle to express themselves in any language. That may sound harsh. It is not meant to be. It is […]

There is one phrase I almost never accept from my students. Not because it is rude. Not because it is incorrect. But because it stops the conversation before it even begins. That phrase is: “I don’t know.” Of course, there are situations where we genuinely do not know something. I do not expect my students […]

There is an uncomfortable truth about teaching that few people like to discuss. It is difficult to measure. It is difficult to standardize. It does not fit neatly into reports, lesson plans, or marketing promises. And because of that, many educators simply ignore it. The truth is this: Not every student who is learning looks […]

There is a question I have heard countless times throughout my career. “What is the best method?” Sometimes people ask about grammar. Sometimes about speaking. Sometimes about apps, courses, textbooks, immersion, YouTube videos, artificial intelligence, flashcards, or conversation clubs. The wording changes. The idea remains the same. People are looking for the perfect method. The […]

A strange thing happens in language learning. People spend weeks, months, or even years thinking about what they need to improve. Then they finally start studying. And discover they were solving the wrong problem. Not because they are careless. Not because they are lazy. Not because they are incapable of understanding their own situation. But […]

There is a belief that if you find the strongest teacher, the problem is solved. More experience. More certificates. More qualifications. More languages. More achievements. More years in the profession. It sounds logical. And yet, reality often disagrees. Over the years, I have seen students leave excellent teachers and thrive with other excellent teachers. Not […]

Many language learners secretly believe that successful students possess something special. A natural ability. A gift. A talent for languages. When they see someone learning quickly, they often conclude: “They are talented.” And when they struggle themselves, they assume: “Maybe I simply do not have the talent.” This belief is understandable. But it is usually […]

Many language learners believe that motivation is the most important factor in success. They wait for inspiration. They search for new goals. They watch motivational videos. They try to feel excited about learning. And when that excitement disappears, they become worried. They think: “Maybe I am losing motivation.” In reality, this is not the real […]

Many language learners believe that confidence is the missing ingredient. They think: “If I were more confident, I would speak better.” As a result, they spend enormous amounts of energy trying to become less nervous, less self-conscious, and more comfortable speaking. Confidence certainly helps. But confidence is not the foundation of fluency. Understanding is. And […]