Why “Knowing a Language” and “Speaking a Language” Are Two Different Skills
Author’s Column | Tymur Levitin on Language, Meaning and Respect

Why “Knowing a Language” and “Speaking a Language” Are Two Different Skills

What 22 Years of Teaching Languages Revealed About the Gap Between Knowledge and Communication One of the most common statements I hear from students is this: “I know the language — but I cannot speak it.” At first glance, this sounds contradictory.If someone knows a language, why can’t they speak it? After more than 22 […]

Timur Timur
24.03.2026 4 min read

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