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What language learning taught me (beyond grammar)

Writer's picture: Beatriz RochaBeatriz Rocha

Do you remember the first time you came in contact with a foreign language? For most of us, it’s a vague memory – if it exists at all. Was it a line in a movie, an overheard phone call, or maybe a curious tourist speaking on the streets of your hometown?


While I can’t pinpoint the moment I first realized foreign languages existed, I clearly remember the first time I started learning one. I was about six years old, sitting in a classroom where my first English teacher introduced us to the language through games and songs. I was simply fascinated. When I rented movies to watch – it was the early 2000s, after all – I remember watching them once in my first language, Portuguese, and then I would rewatch them in English. While I didn’t fully understand the dialogues, I was already familiar with the context, and then I could just let myself fully enjoy the experience of hearing a totally different language.


By the time I was a teenager, I was already fluent in English. Between studying in English courses and consuming a lot of foreign media, the language started to come very naturally to me. Revisiting songs I listened to as a kid and finally understanding what they were about felt like unlocking secrets over and over again – and it was even cooler to understand things on my very first listen.


My second formal encounter with language learning came in high school, where Spanish was a mandatory subject. The similarities between Portuguese and Spanish made it easier to pick up, but that initial ease was deceptive. Mastering the language still requires real effort. I am still far from fluent in Spanish, but I easily understand it while listening and reading. Just like with English, mixing formal classes with media consumption, and conversation practices with colleagues played a huge role in the construction of my knowledge.


Later, my language-learning journey took a turn. Raising a lot of surprised reactions from people around me, I moved to Finland. In 2021, I found myself in Oulu, a city in the north of the country, embarking on a master’s degree conducted entirely in English. Yet, it was clear from the start: to truly settle in Finland, I needed to learn Finnish.


Oulu City Library
Oulu City Library

Moving to Finland felt like starting over, linguistically. Suddenly, I couldn’t rely on familiar roots or cognates. Standing in a Finnish supermarket, trying to decipher labels, I realized this language was unlike anything I had encountered before. Finnish classes at university offered a foundation, but four hours a week barely scratched the surface. And unlike when I was a child, consuming media in a language I barely understood wasn’t fun anymore – it was quite frustrating. As an adult, I craved comprehension and a more active approach.


In 2024, I started taking intensive Finnish courses. Now, I’m on the path to reaching B1 proficiency. It’s still challenging, but I feel more at home with the language. I can handle simple conversations, enjoy Finnish TV with partial understanding, and pick up on spoken Finnish – which is very different from the written language taught in courses and textbooks – around me. Surrounding myself with the language in daily life bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world use.


Learning Finnish in adult life is a completely different experience compared to learning other languages as a child and teenager. In childhood, it can be easier to absorb and grasp a new language – kids are, for example, less intimidated by the idea of making mistakes when they speak. Adults, on the other hand, tend to overanalyze, fear mistakes, and feel the weight of effort. But adulthood brings its own advantages: better self-regulation, the ability to plan and track progress, and the intrinsic motivation to set and achieve personal goals.


What I have come to realize is that no matter your age, language learning is not a lonely ride. Of course, you can learn a lot on your own through books and apps, but you risk missing out on the heart of it all – connection. And in my perception, conversations, mistakes, and shared laughter are where you can see the magic happen. Learning Finnish isn’t just about picking up vocabulary or mastering its 15 – yes, 15 – grammatical cases. It is about perseverance and finding joy in progress, no matter how small. Every time I navigate daily life without switching to English, I feel a sense of accomplishment that motivates me to keep going.


Each language I’ve learned – and am learning – has taught me something unique. English opened doors to global understanding, Spanish showed me that even familiar languages require effort, and Finnish is teaching me patience, perseverance and the joy of small victories. All these experiences made me realize that learning a language isn’t just a skill – it’s about opening yourself to new ways of thinking, connecting with people on their terms, and embracing the inevitable mistakes that come with growth.


Above all, I’ve learned that language isn’t a solo journey. A community – whether a language café, a study group, or a conversation partner – can make all the difference. These spaces provide a safe space to practice, make mistakes, and connect with others.


Every language we learn shapes us in unexpected ways. Whether it’s in a classroom or a café, it’s the relationships we build that truly bring a language to life. So, whether you’re starting your second language or your fifth, remember: the journey is as important as the destination. And it can always be more fun with a good coffee, great company, and the courage to say moi or hello, no matter how imperfectly.



Beatriz Rocha
Beatriz Rocha

Hi, I’m Beatriz! Originally from Brazil, I’ve had the chance to live in three different countries, which has been an amazing way to experience other cultures and perspectives. I have a master’s degree in Education and a background in Marketing, which has given me a love for creativity and storytelling. In my free time, you’ll probably find me listening to music, reading, or exploring new places around me.

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Hyvin menee, Beatriz! Thank you for bringing this topic to light! I'm happy to read about your Finnish language learning journey and proud of how you have persevered! I wish you the best 👏

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