I often hear this complaint from students learning a language: “I can’t understand anything”! Yes, it can be frustrating when you have been studying hard. It can be discouraging and embarrassing. But do not worry: comprehension will come. Sometimes you need to hear something 12 times to hear and remember it!
I have a student from China who is learning English. She studied English for 10 years but initially could not understand much. She had just arrived from Sichuan and was quite frustrated. After 6 weeks of daily practice, she is able to understand and we can now enjoy interesting and humorous conversations together. It is not that she has learned that many more words or that much more grammar; it is simply that her body is actually beginning to hear and compute the English language.
I also remember coming to the US as a 13 year old. I had studied English in France – for 4 years – but my initial experience was of an incomprehensible wall of sound. Aaargh! So you who are learning may occasionally feel discouraged: “I really can’t understand anything! What’s wrong with me?” Nothing! Your body and your psyche have just not yet begun to take over the comprehension of the language. Remember that it is not the conscious mind which actually creates and comprehends language. It is a subconscious function out of your actual control. All you can do is expose yourself to that wall of sound and hang in there. Keep studying grammar, learning words, etc! It can be very uncomfortable, but know that when the click takes place, you will begin to track and know what is being said to you. Forever!
This is a very exciting place to be. It is much easier to accomplish this process if you are having real interactions with natives. Fortunately, these days, natives can be found everywhere with online video calls. The internet can instantly transport you to the country of your choice. In my days, we had to practice speaking uphill and in the snow.
So hang tough in that incomprehensible wall of sound; and know that understanding will come.
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