Episode 7
Listen to the Episode
Listen once for the main idea. Then use the transcript and repeat useful sentences aloud.
Download and study
Episode Resources
Download a file or continue to the transcript.
Best order: listen once, read while listening, then listen again without the text.
Full lesson
Read the Transcript
Follow the text while you listen, then repeat useful sentences aloud.
In this episode:
I’ll talk about plateaus when learning English.
After that, we learn grammar intuitively with a Point of View short lesson.
Ok, let’s get started!
Today, I am going to talk about a very interesting topic. Plateaus when learning English.
Ok, so…what is a plateau? A plateau occurs when you stop your progress despite continuing to do “all the right things.” An interesting expression for this situation is: to hit a plateau. For example:
It seems I hit a plateau because I can’t see any progress with my English, and I’m still studying hard!
More literally, a plateau is a large flat area of land. This definition makes total sense because if you are walking on a plateau, you are not going up or down. You stay at the same height.
Plateaus are very common not only in learning a new language but in other areas. For example, a very common one is losing weight. Imagine someone who has been on a diet and has lost some weight. But then, after two months, they stop losing weight. He or she follows the same diet, but their weight is the same.
The main problem here is not the diet. It’s just that the body needs some time before starting losing weight again. It has to adapt to the new situation.
But here’s the thing. When it comes to learning English, it’s a dangerous situation: It is very common to find this sequence among English students:
They start learning English, and they get very excited.
They experience a lot of progress. They are improving fast.
After some time of continuous improvement, they hit a plateau.
Since they don’t see results, they lose motivation.
Finally, they quit.
As you can see, this is the main reason why students quit learning English. They don’t see results, so they quit.
Like I’ve just explained before with the diet, when learning a language, the reason we all hit plateaus is that our brain needs time. Time to organize the new vocabulary, sounds, pronunciation, patterns, etc. This is a complicated task. That’s why we stop progressing.
The most important thing to remember here is that we need to keep going. In other words, if you hit a plateau, it doesn’t matter. You want to invest the same amount of time as before. I promise you that sooner or later, you will be able to see results again.
Or…you can be more aggressive. For a short period, you can double your efforts. That helps to get out of a plateau.
For example, instead of one hour a day, you can spend 2 or 3 hours listening to your favorite English podcast. It can even be fun!
So, here’s my piece of advice: It doesn’t matter if you hit a plateau. What matters is that you have fun. You’ll see more progress. You have to keep going!
Ok! Let’s move on to the next section.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
GRAMMAR MADE EASY
POV Story: Grammar in Context
Read the same story in two different points of view and notice how the grammar changes naturally.
Past Tense
Two years ago, I started learning English. I was very excited about the opportunity to learn a new language. I was very committed, and I was very sure I would be successful because I chose a different and more effective approach.
I planned to spend two hours each day listening to English lessons.
The first week felt a bit difficult because I was not used to the new sounds, but I got used to it. After two weeks, I started to feel more comfortable, although sometimes I had to stop the audio, just to have more time to understand.
After three months, I saw that my English got much better. The material I used in the first month was much easier, and I didn’t need to pause the audio.
However, after four months, my English was more or less the same, or at least it’s how I felt. I tried more advanced materials, but I found them too difficult. I didn’t know what to do.
I decided to change my approach. Instead of just listening for two hours a day, I would listen for three hours. Not only at home but also when I was driving and while I was doing exercise.
I didn’t notice any progress in the first two weeks, but after that, I noticed that my English was improving again! That was very exciting, and since then, I tried to listen to English audios at least two hours each day.
Future Tense
Two years from now, I’ll start learning English. I’ll be very excited about the opportunity to learn a new language. I’ll be very committed, and I’ll be very sure that I’ll be successful because I’ll choose a different and more effective approach.
I will plan to spend two hours each day listening to English lessons.
The first week will feel a bit difficult, because I’ll not be used to the new sounds, but I’ll get used to it. After two weeks, I’ll start to feel more comfortable, although sometimes I’ll have to stop the audio, just to have more time to understand.
After three months, I’ll see that my English will be better. The material I’ll use in the first month will be much easier, and I won’t need to pause the audio.
However, after four months, my English will be more or less the same, or at least it’s how I’ll feel. I’ll try more advanced materials, but I’ll find them too difficult. I won’t know what to do.
I’ll decide to change my approach. Instead of just listening for two hours a day, I will listen for three hours. Not only at home but also when I’ll be driving and while I’ll be doing exercise.
I won’t notice any progress in the first two weeks, but after that, I’ll see that my English will be improving again! That will be very exciting, and from that moment on, I’ll try to listen to English audios at least two hours each day.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
plateau
a period when progress temporarily stops.
keep going
continue despite difficulty.
hit a plateau
reach a stage where improvement seems to stop.
double your efforts
work approximately twice as hard.
lose motivation
stop feeling willing or excited to continue.
committed
determined to continue and succeed.
quit
stop doing something completely.
get used to
become familiar with something over time.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
thank you for keeping me learning English
Thank you teacher You’re my best help thank you a lot
I’m happy to know that I can help dear Amboise!
Thank you so much teacher. I glad to connect you
Hi Georgiana,
You became my best friend in the last days…. Just to you know!!
Thank you teacher I’m from Algeria I’m improving my english level since I started heard your podcasts
Thank you very much for encouraging
Thanks! The lesson really helped me understand how my brain works. Now, I believe in my capability to learn English. I see my progress day after day.
Thank you teacher. I hope the best for you, God bless you
Hi Georgiana.
Thanks for your lessons .
Now I am on a plateau and I try hit it,but I didn’t do it yet .
I hope it take time and follow your suggestions I hit plateau.
Bye.
This video helped me a lot, I was thinking of giving up.
After studying this class, I saw that my English is better. This technique is amazing
I will improve my english
Thank you so much 💓
I am exactly plateau that you explain it. This situation is bad to continou learnig English
Hellow my dear teacher I like your video very much I want to improve my writing and speaking skills but I couldn’t succeed When I try to write and speak the words do not come in my brain I confused shy and disheartened sometimes I think I can’t achieve my goal long time I try to achieve but I am still at zero I don’t know what is the reason help me and guide me please