Not All Mistakes Are the Same

When we learn a language, the word mistake can sound like an enemy.But in reality, not all mistakes mean the same thing—and understanding that distinction is the key to moving forward.

1. Mistakes That Are Part of the Process

These are the ones you make while experimenting.Pronouncing a word a thousand different ways, mixing verb tenses, forgetting an article…These are signs that you’re actively using the language.The strategy here is not to punish yourself, but to keep practicing and let repetition and natural correction do their job.

2. Mistakes with Advanced Topics

They appear when you take the next step.Maybe you already master the basics and start tackling more complex sentences: subjunctive, passive voice, idiomatic expressions. You make mistakes because you are just learning this level—and that’s good news: it means you’ve left your comfort zone.The key is to take notes, seek feedback, and try again.

3. Mistakes from Lack of Study

Others happen simply because you didn’t review or didn’t reinforce what you learned:mixing up vocabulary you already know, ignoring basic rules, failing to revise enough. Here the solution is clear: organize your practice, review systematically, and be honest about how much time you invest.

Recognize in Order to Act

Real progress lies in identifying what kind of mistake it is.

• If it’s part of the process: celebrate it, it means you’re moving forward.

• If it’s an advanced-topic mistake: write it down and give it time to settle.

• If it’s due to lack of study: adjust your routine, go back to the material, and review.

Making mistakes is not the problem. Not knowing what kind of mistake you’re making—that’s the problem.

When you can tell them apart, each mistake stops being an obstacleand becomes a map of your progress.Learning a language isn’t just about collecting words:it’s about reading your own stumbles and letting them guide you, step by step, toward fluency.