Introduction

English has opened doors for all of us — but what about the languages beyond it? Maybe you’ve picked up some Japanese from anime, studied German for university, tried Spanish on Duolingo, or at least wondered what it would feel like to speak Korean. Or perhaps English is the only language you’ve ever studied, and you’ve been curious about what learning another one would be like.

This week, we’re stepping outside the English bubble to talk about the OTHER languages in our lives — the ones we’ve learned, the ones we dream about, the ones whose words linger in our minds. Whether you’re a seasoned polyglot or have only ever studied English, there’s a seat at this table.

Below are ten questions in three groups. Pick any one that speaks to you — no need to answer them all! Just scroll through and drop your thoughts wherever you feel at home.

Group A: Your Language Story

1. Have you ever learned (or tried to learn) a language other than English? Tell us your story — what language, why you chose it, and how it went. Whether you reached fluency or stopped after two weeks, we want to hear it.

2. What was the most surprising or delightful moment in learning a language other than English? Maybe a word that made you laugh, a cultural insight that caught you off guard, or a moment when something suddenly “clicked.”

3. What first drew you to a language other than English? Was it a person, a hobby (anime, K-drama, travel), a career goal, or just pure curiosity? What was that initial spark?

4. What’s a word or phrase in another language that you wish had a perfect English equivalent? Something that feels untranslatable, or that captures a feeling English needs a whole sentence to describe.

Group B: English vs. The Other

5. Compared to learning English, was learning your other language harder or easier? What was specifically different — grammar, pronunciation, writing system, access to learning resources, or something else?

6. Did knowing English first help with your third language, or did it get in the way? (For example: similar vocabulary, confusing grammar transfers, or English pronunciation habits creeping into the new language.)

7. What is one thing English does well that your other language does poorly — or vice versa? For example, English might be simpler in verb conjugation but messier in spelling. Your other language might have a feature that makes you think “why doesn’t English have this?”

Group C: Your Next Chapter

8. If you could instantly master one language other than English, which would you choose, and what would you do with it? Travel? Reading untranslated literature? Watching shows without subtitles? Making friends?

9. For those who have only studied English so far: Have you ever been curious about learning another language? What’s held you back? (Lack of time? No practical need? The idea of starting from zero again?)

10. What language-learning strategy from your English experience would you apply to a new language? And what would you do differently this time, knowing what you know now?

Yes. I've learned two languages other than English: Japanese and German.

As for Japanese, I should admit that it is Japanese anime and music that interest me first. So I started learing it since 2017. But I didn't made big progress in it (in other words, still in the primary level) until when I needed it to do law research.

No

For me now, foreign language is more like a tool than a language.

For Japanese, it is anime and Doujin (fan-made) music. (especially Touhou Project)

For German, I learned it because I need to read German law papers. Besides, I wanna use German to talk with Madoka and other users. 

Learning difficulty: German > English > Japanese

Grammer: German > Japanese > English

pronunciation: German > Japanese > English

Writing: German > Japanese > English

accessibility to learning resources: English > Japanese > German

Maybe German or Spainish.