Webinar Recap
At English Therapy, we believe that real progress in language learning starts with honest conversations, the kind that go beyond grammar rules and dive into what’s really holding learners back. In our latest webinar, “What’s Getting in the Way of Your Language Learning?”, we did exactly that.
Hosted by our founder and academic director, and featuring one of our brilliant EFL teachers, Sara, this session was full of relatable truths, practical advice, and supportive insights for learners at all levels.
Sara brings over 20 years of experience teaching English across the globe, and she didn’t hold back in highlighting the most common obstacles that learners face and how to overcome them. Here’s a quick summary of the key takeaways:
The Biggest Barrier? Perfectionism.
According to Sara, the number one thing that stops learners from making real progress is perfectionism. Many students feel like they have to speak flawlessly before they open their mouths and as a result, they stay silent. But language isn’t something you perfect before using. Like swimming, you learn by doing, mistakes and all.
“You can’t get better at swimming by only reading about it. You’ve got to get in the water.”
Where Does The Fear of Making Mistakes Come From?
Sara explained that traditional teaching approaches often punish mistakes, which leads to fear and hesitation. Social media doesn’t help either as it shows “fluent” speakers without revealing the messy journey behind their success.
Misleading Habit: Rote Memorisation
Another surprising insight? Cramming vocabulary out of context. Memorising random word lists might feel productive, but without real-life usage, those words won’t stick or make sense when you need them.
Instead, learn vocabulary in context through stories, conversations, or things that genuinely interest you. Sara recommends keeping a “word diary” where learners record new words in example sentences, try using them, and revisit them regularly.
Netflix: Study Tool or Distraction?
Netflix can be helpful if used intentionally. Watching with English subtitles, pausing to note useful phrases, and even shadowing the actors which is repeating lines aloud to mimic pronunciation and rhythm, can boost fluency.
But zoning out with subtitles in your native language? That’s just relaxing not learning.
The Danger of Comparison
Comparing yourself to other learners can seriously affect motivation. Everyone has a different starting point, background, and pace. Sara stressed that your only comparison should be with your past self and your progress, no matter how small, deserves celebration.
Emotions Matter: The Affective Filter
Sara touched on the emotional side of learning, introducing the idea of the affective filter which says stress, fear, or embarrassment block your ability to learn. At English Therapy, we take this seriously. Our teaching is informed by therapy practices, creating safe, supportive spaces where learners can feel confident and calm, that’s the foundation for real growth.
Fluency ≠ Perfection
A huge myth? That fluency means speaking quickly with a native-like accent. Sara explained that fluency is about clarity and confidence, not speed or perfection. Many fluent speakers use simple vocabulary or speak slowly and that’s completely okay.
Too Many Tools? Beware the Overload Trap
Trying to use every app, book, podcast, and class at once can lead to burnout. Sara suggests doing less, but more deeply. Choose one or two tools that work for you and stick with them. Reflect, review, and engage with your learning actively.
Final Words of Advice
Sara’s most important message to learners?
“Be kind to yourself.”
Progress won’t always be obvious. Some days you’ll feel fluent, others you might forget simple words and that’s completely normal. Keep showing up, celebrate the small wins, and trust the process.
This webinar reminded us all that language learning is not a race or a performance and it’s a deeply human process. With the right support, a bit of patience, and a lot of kindness toward yourself, progress is not only possible but rather inevitable.
We hope to see you in one of our classes soon.
You can watch the full conversation on YouTube using the link below.