I am writing this in January 2026. I enjoyed a great holiday season in Germany, where my brain was stretched a lot while speaking German. And I thought, “Why am I not fluent yet?”
As I attempt to reach C1 level German, I reflect on the setbacks I have had in the last years while still celebrating the progress. There have been pauses, challenges and repeated ego-crushing moments on this journey. Here are my language learning mistakes and how I am reframing them for success in 2026.
❗ Failure 1: Taking long language learning breaks.
I randomly started learning German in Nairobi in 2017, and my language journey has always been punctuated by breaks, lack of motivation, ‘adulting’ and general lack of structure until May 2025.
Reframe: Consistency and repetition are the keys. Rest is vital, but taking prolonged language breaks hinders progress.
❗ Failure 2: Shame that I have been in Germany for a couple of years and still can’t speak fluently.
The reframe: Giving myself more grace and understanding of how much progress I have made. More focus on progress vs perfection. Language learning takes time, and the journey is different for everyone.
❗ Failure 3: Lack of structure or a bigger picture view of progress.
For the longest time, I learned sporadically. How could I measure progress without structure?
Reframe: Enrolling in a class is one way to gain structure. I just started a B2.1 class at the Goethe Institute. Being in a class and using The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) helps me track my progress.
❗ Failure 4: Relying on the English comfort zone
I surrounded myself with this soft English cushion because it is the language I love most, feel most intelligent in, think in, express myself best in, and the language that lets me flow through life most easily.
Reframe: We grow most when we challenge ourselves positively. Our brains can pick up a new language.
❗ Failure 5. Learning only when my mood allows it/ when I feel good.
Reframe: Instead of depending on my mood, I decided to have discipline and a learner’s mindset. This means embodying a curriculum and a genuinely curious approach to my target language. The more I do it, the better it feels.
❗ Failure 6. Waiting to be perfect to speak
I felt embarrassed when I used the wrong article and thought I needed more time to speak.
Reframe: Speaking is part of learning. Saying the wrong thing is only embarrassing if you are embarrassed.
❗ Failure 7: Ignoring the immersion part of language
I have built a great library of grammar books, but I don’t go out there and speak.
Reframe: Immersion is also a big component of learning. I am now doing this by reading things, talking, joining communities, menus, listening to the radio, and completely surrounding myself with it. This will help soak the language up better.
❗ Failure 8: Overtranslation
I spent too much time translating each word.
Reframe: When reading, you do not need to understand every word.
Are you learning German? What have been your mistakes?
