It’s easier for women to learn a language than it is for men.
Women are better socially.
Higher levels of empathy make them better listeners.
They may have better memory… 1
More patience…
And it is more socially accepted for a woman to study or practice her new language publicly.
So this post is for men.
If you’re a woman, it’s best to stop reading right here.
Equal but Not the Same
Learning a language isn’t the same for men as it is for women.
Yet, most language learning advice out there is either aimed specifically at women, or gender neutral at best.
Men and women may be equal, but fortunately they’re not the same.
Learning a new language is more challenging when you’re chock-full of testosterone.
That’s why it’s necessary to keep some things in mind when embarking on a macho language learning journey.
Here they are:
1. Don’t Learn the Women’s Version of a Language
As a man, you can’t talk like a woman.
So you need to make sure you learn how men speak in your target language.
Still doing language exchanges with women only?
You naughty boy…
Practicing with a woman may be easier on your eyes, but it is bad news for your language skills.
You will end up speaking like a girl.
You are much better off doing language exchanges with men.
Are all your native speaker friends women?
Make some male friends and learn from them.
Courses and Apps
Learning to talk like a man through courses and apps can be trickier.
With these kinds of learning resources, you practice the formal version of a language. Men and women alike talk in a rather rigid way.
Even so, you must pay attention at all times.
Do you hear men talk differently than women? If so, take note.
Once you’re at the intermediate stage, and you go out to play the macho, make sure you learn how a man speaks in your target language through social interaction.
2. Know that Learning a Language Isn’t Sexy – but SPEAKING One Is.
Does a man want to be seen learning a language?
Does he want people to know he’s learning one?
A lot of us don’t.
And this is a challenge. A hidden challenge, for some. They’re not really aware of it.
For a woman, it’s perfectly cool to study a language. You go, girl! But for men, it’s a bit nerdy.
So learning a new language isn’t cool. But SPEAKING one is. In fact, all other things equal, a man who speaks multiple languages is sexier than a monoglot.
Being bilingual —or even better, a polyglot— is an asset that makes you a hotter commodity in the social marketplace.
You’re also more likely to land a great job, which apart from the obvious benefits, improves your social status even more.
Social status isn’t necessarily about dominating other people, but it is important for your well-being.
So it definitely pays to learn a new language.
But how do you deal with the uncoolness of LEARNING a new language?
Just be a man about it. Don’t give a f**k!
Ask yourself: Why isn’t it cool to study a new language?
Well, probably because most people don’t want you to do well in life.
There’s competition everywhere. It’s a just fact of life.
They’re jealous of your discipline. They’re afraid they’ll be left behind.
If you’re surging ahead, you must be pegged back.
When you already speak a second language well, there’s not much they can do. You’ve already made it.
But when you’re still learning and vulnerable, they will try to ridicule you.
Let them…
You know now why they’re doing it.
3. A Bit of Booze is Fine
Those who say booze doesn’t help you with learning a new language are wrong.
But you do have to read the fine print:
Alcohol is addictive. Lots of alcohol will NOT help you learn a language, but it will help you get in trouble.
But in moderation, alcohol can help you:
*Loosen your tongue
*Make new friends, and thus…
*Dramatically increase your real-life practice of the language
So if you’re one of those guys that can control his alcohol intake, go for it.
(Just limit it to weekends only.)
4. Learn from Manly Things
Manly things are generally covered by men.
Watching sports for example, is more of a male thing; men love watching sports more than women do.
PC explanation: Some women love watching sports more than most men. But generally speaking, it’s kind of a male thing.
By watching sports in your target language, you’re more likely to hear men talking to each other about their (almost) favorite subject: sports.
It’s a good source to learn how men speak.
If you’re into cars, make sure you consume enough content about that. Hear how they talk about their babies.
And talking about babies, learn how men express their admiration for women…
Trust me. It’s a lot of fun.
5. Exercise
Yep, here we go again.
Ain’t no escaping.
Exercise is important.
You blood needs to flow or else you won’t be able to conquer the world.
You need to burn off some of your physical energy in order to be able to sit quietly later, study, and be a good boy.
Research even suggests that increased blood flow and oxygen in your brain will make you a better language learner.
Is it tough to exercise?
Yeah, but that’s the point.
Overcoming the challenges of exercise will spill over into the rest of your life.
It will be easier for you to solve other “problems” life throws at you.
And that includes learning another language.
6. Use Your Masculine Energy
Think this post has been controversial up to now?
Let’s push the button a bit further.
Warning: This ain’t gonna be politically correct. But just as we can say that women are good at certain things, we can also emphasize masculine strengths.
You see, men have one significant advantage over women when it comes to learning a language.
It’s easier for us to achieve things.
The drive to succeed – ambition – is more prominent in the male psyche.
Yes, not all men have more drive than women; there are many women who work hard and grind away to achieve their dreams. But generally speaking, masculine energy gives you an advantage.
Use it.
If you don’t feel it, maybe you need to wake it up.
Get off your ass and start exercising!
You weren’t meant to sit still all day.
Forward Brother, Forward
In the western world, men are quickly becoming a threatened species. 😉
Sometimes we need a little help to achieve what we set out to do.
Learning a new language is quite the undertaking.
So…
Use the advice in this post and start working your butt off to achieve your goal of speaking a new language.
Over and out,
Noel