Have you ever felt like you aren’t good enough at that language? Like you don’t deserve that success? Or like you don’t belong? That’s imposter syndrome. It sucks. Here’s how to overcome Imposter Syndrome for language learners.

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome for Language Learners

One of the first things that I found really helpful when researching this topic was learning that Imposter Syndrome is a “psychological phenomenon”. I like the word phenomenon.

That means this is something we experience or feel, but not something we have or are. Imposter Syndrome is something that will pass and does not define us. This is a nice grounding thought to start with.

Let’s focus on three key ways you can work to beat Imposter Syndrome.

1. Talk In The 3rd Person.

I have to be honest here. I was sceptical about this.

I always thought that people who talk to and about themselves in the third person are arrogant, slightly detached from reality, and a little self-obsessed.

But I promise, you have to try this.

Research has found connections between increased motivation and talking about ourselves to ourselves in the 3rd person.

So rather than simply…

“I’m learning Chinese. I’m ok at it but pretty slow. I can’t do the tones.”

…We say something a little more like this…

“Lindsay’s learning Chinese. She’s so good at learning at a consistent and steady pace. Lindsay is committed to getting better at tones all the time.”

It somehow builds up this image of another version of yourself, a version that’s easier to elevate than your “regular” self.

We can admit that we all get stuck in our own heads too much from time to time, right?

This makes it easier to escape that and reconnect with a respect and admiration for our own learning and progress.

What I like to do is bring it back to me at the end as well. So as you build up this successful version of yourself, you finally reconnect that to ‘the real you’. It looks a little something like this…

“Lindsay’s learning Chinese. She’s so good at learning at a consistent and steady pace. Lindsay is committed to getting better at tones all the time. Lindsay is me.”

A little self-respect never hurt nobody.

2. Best Case Scenario.

Our minds have a tendency to wander off to the worst case scenarios, sometimes it feels like at all times!

The problem with that is that when we get to that scenario in real life, we’re remembering and imagining the worst case scenario we played out in our minds. So, you know, it doesn’t go so well.

However, if we picture things going well, we’re giving ourselves a positive incentive to aim for these scenarios because we know it has the potential to go well, and that’s what we’re imagining as we approach them.

Let’s take the example of a language meet up.

Imagine yourself building up the courage to go and then it all goes wrong. There’s bad traffic. You have no change to pay for the car parking. You arrive flustered. People already have groups and friends they know…where do you fit in?! When someone does come to speak to you, you’re tongue-tied and can barely get a word out.

And your brain says…

“OH MY LIFE! YOU LIAR! YOU IMPOSTER! YOU CAN’T SPEAK ITALIAN AT ALL CAN YOU?! THEY ONLY ASKED YOU HOW YOU ARE AND YOU STUMBLED AT THE FIRST HURDLE! PEOPLE WILL SNIFF YOU OUT FOR THE FRAUD YOU ARE!”

Not great, huh?

However, if we prepare ourselves for going by fulfilling a positive outcome, those creeping feelings of imposter syndrome are less likely to rear their ugly heads.

Let’s try this instead.

Imagine yourself building up the courage to go and then it all goes right. You leave a few minutes earlier and avoid traffic. You’ve left enough change in your purse to pay for the car parking. You arrive on time, head high, and ready to go. People already know each other, but as you walk in with a smile, multiple groups are willing to open up and welcome you. Someone asks your name, and you respond confidently. You are ready and willing to talk, to listen, and (most importantly) to make mistakes without judgement from your own brain.

And your brain says…

“OH THIS IS AMAZING! DO WE REALLY HAVE TO WAIT TIL NEXT WEDNESDAY?! I’M READY TO GO NOW! LET’S DO THIS THING! HECK YEAH WE CAN SPEAK ITALIAN ENOUGH FOR THIS!”

Much more reassuring, and helps to avoid Imposter Syndrome. Hooray!

3. Keep Track.

I’ve said it once (ok, many times), and I’ll say it again:

Documenting your language learning in some way, any way(!), is one of the best things you can to.

And it really helps when it comes to avoiding feelings of imposter syndrome.

Having something you can look back on and compare your current level, understanding, and ability to, is so incredibly helpful.

Language progress is like having a puppy. You don’t really see it grow when you live with it everyday.

And as you keep track, it’s also a great chance to check in and see what’s working and what’s not working. That way, you’ll constantly be improving your language learning process for the better.

I’ve talked a lot about this, so I won’t go on too much here. Instead, I’ll link to some useful posts for further reading:

7 Ways to Track Your Language Learning
How to Record Your Language Learning Progress
How to Use a Language Planner