When it comes to learning a second language, the most important thing is simple: enjoy it.
Too often, language learning is presented in a way that feels distant from our real lives. For example, many textbooks introduce history lessons in a second language. Of course, this makes sense in theory—you expand both your knowledge and vocabulary at the same time. But think honestly: how often do you actually read history books, even in your native language?
If a person normally only reads about sports or fashion, jumping straight into history texts in a second language can feel unnatural and discouraging.
The truth is, the first step should always be to learn about the things you already love in your target language.
Take soccer, for instance. Words like goal, offside, and midfielder are almost the same in both English and Japanese. This makes it much easier to learn, and it also feels exciting because you’re deepening your knowledge in a familiar area.
When you start with topics you already enjoy—whether it’s sports, cooking, music, fashion, or even video games—the language no longer feels like a barrier. Instead, it becomes a bridge that connects your existing interests with new ways of expressing them.
Learning a second language should never feel like a heavy obligation. It should feel like expanding your world, one enjoyable step at a time. By focusing first on your passions, the distance between you and your new language becomes much shorter.
So remember: the most important thing in language learning is not perfection, nor is it memorizing every grammar rule. It’s keeping the process fun and meaningful for you.
