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The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) promotes intercultural understanding and diverse communities by providing high-quality language instruction and teacher training.

You are here: Home / News / The Rejection of Perfection in Learning a Language

January 20, 2022

The Rejection of Perfection in Learning a Language

If this were a perfect world, I’d be dead!  

Whoa! 

It’s not that I think it would be perfect if I were dead.  It’s just that I would not be able to live in a perfect world. 

 I don’t think anybody would.  Perfection is highly overrated. This is true whether you’re learning French recipes  or you’re learning Spanish grammar.

A Perfect World of Language?

At this stage of the game, (I actually prefer the Spanish expression – “A estas alturas” – at these heights), I don’t want to waste time on being perfect.  At these heights I know I need balance.  At these heights you need more balance than ever.  It’s easier to tip over. 

For me, a balanced life embraces imperfection.  I’m not talking disaster here, or lackadaisical work ethic or inferior products.  Many cultures include an imperfect detail in a product (Middle Eastern carpets and Japanese pottery for example), because only the supreme being is perfect (and I think s/he might have something to say about that, too).

Sometimes the perfect costs too much in time and effort to be worth it.  And what does it matter in the grand scheme of things?  What does matter?

Imperfect Worlds in Danish and Japanese

As I read “A Year of Living Danishly” two years ago, I came across thecreating a hygge home poster. Danish word hygge (pronounced hooga), meaning a cozy style design and more – a time for family and/or friends to be together in a warm, comfortable environment.  

The concept of hygge is cited as one of the reasons that Danes are supposedly among the happiest people in the world.  This really hit home as I have tried to make each one of my living spaces over the years cozy and inviting.  

This matters.  Whether I used wooden crates for bookcases or furniture I picked up at tag sales, I have always felt totally at peace in my living spaces.

But now I have a wonderful new expression that will help me keep my balance for the rest of my life!  It celebrates imperfections and authenticity.  

Ready?  Wabi-sabi!  

a sone with an imperfect hole through it that looks on a peaceful forest.Reading the Style at Home section of the Gazette a while back, I came across a brief article called “Wabi-Sabi is all about keeping things real.”  Whaaat? 

It started off talking about hygge, which had supposedly trended the year before, and went on to say that trending now is the Japanese wabi-sabi – organic designs and shapes, natural materials and lived-in, non-fussy elements.  It includes “worn or chipped furniture that make Type-A perfectionists nervous.”

It reminds me of the popular expression in Spain in the 90’s – “La arruga es bella.”  The wrinkle is beautiful.  Worked for me because I don’t iron.  I loved it.

So the crates I once used for bookcases and the tag sale furniture were not only hygge; they were also wabi-sabi.  Hygge and wabi-sabi will help me keep balance in my life.  

Have I expressed what I wanted to in this essay?  As we say in Spanish, quién sabe? (Who knows?).  Oh no, wait!  That’s wabi-sabi!

Put imperfection into learning a language

Put the wabi-sabi and hygge into your Spanish course, French classes, Portuguese lessons–whatever language you’re studying. You can keep your balance (and sanity) while learning a language and broadening your horizons.

If wrinkles are beautiful, so are mistakes. They’re natural, part of theA bonsai tree growing over the side of it's pot. grain, wabi-sabi-wise, of communication. 

When you learn Spanish or learn French as an adult, you’re discovering your own voice in a new language. Make your voice authentic. Pick peculiar interests of yours to talk about, try out odd new expressions, glom on to favorite idioms– whether or not your sentences measure up as “perfect” by some arbitrary standard.

Hygge matters too. A classroom needs to be cozy, figuratively speaking.  

A teacher holding a little plant in her classroom.If you’re taking the TESOL cert, it’s important to keep hygge in mind with classroom management. The best TESOL courses give you tools to keep the atmosphere welcoming and supportive.  And online Spanish classes or online French lessons can have hygge with the right TESOL certificate methods.

The bottom line is perfection has no place in the classroom. When you learn Spanish, study French, and take World Language Classes, you’re supposed to have fun and feel comfortable. 

An accent isn’t wrong–it’s interesting. A role play shouldn’t be perfectly executed–it should be wabi-sabi, because that’s how normal people talk. 

And so, let’s strive to discover new things – like languages – no matter how imperfectly we do it.

By Alexis Johnson with Chris Elliott

Adapted from an excerpt from the forthcoming book Dancing with Words by Alexis Johnson

Related articles about learning Spanish, studying French, taking Portuguese classes, and more:

  • Great ways to learn Spanish online and why it’s important.
  • Top 7 reasons to speak and learn Spanish fluently in the USA.
  • World of jazz: Interview with Andy Jaffe, a Portuguese and Chinese language student living in the USA.
  • Spanish is Darlene’s Superpower: Interview with Darlene, a Spanish language student living in the USA.
  • Kathy Learning Spanish (again): Interview with a Spanish language student living in the USA.
  • How Alice Flexes her Brain Through French film: Interview with a French and Spanish language student living in the USA.
  • Charles the language person: Interview with an Italian and German language student living in the USA.
  • Takehiro Rises: Interview with an ILI English student from Japan who built a career in the USA.

Article by ILI Staff / News

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We are honored to be the recipient of the @paradis We are honored to be the recipient of the @paradise_city_arts_festivals silent auction this year during the Memorial Day weekend (May 27-29) at the Hampshire County Fairgrounds. Artists who exhibit and sell their works donate items for the auction. This gives you a chance to take part in the fun of bidding on their great creations while supporting ILI at the same time!

Don’t miss free introductory Spanish classes on Saturday and Sunday, right at the show! We'll be holding three 20-30 minute sessions in the late morning and early afternoon, followed by feedback and suggestions on how to find the ILI language course that’s right for you. Classes are limited to 6-8 people per session, so head to the auction tables when you arrive at the festival and sign up in advance. 

✨Calling all volunteers!
Volunteer with ILI at Paradise City Arts Festival! You get free parking and a free pass into the festival on the day you volunteer. You'll assist ILI staff at the auction tables and booth sit for artists while they take quick lunch and bio-breaks. It's lots of fun, and just think of the wonderful art you'll get to enjoy!

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Last week the IEP celebrated May Birthdays! We gat Last week the IEP celebrated May Birthdays! We gathered for cake, those being celebrated made wishes, and students sang Happy Birthday in English, Portuguese, Tibetan, Chinese, Turkish, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, & Lao! 🍰

Thanks for creating this video, Jo!

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Hurray Aimée! Pictured with her son, CJ, Aimée Hurray Aimée! Pictured with her son, CJ,  Aimée graduated Cum Laude today from @mtholyoke ! Originally from the Congo, it’s been so fun to watch the amazing trajectory of Aimee..from ILI to @gccgreenfield to being selected as a Frances Perkins Scholar and serving on ILI’s Board of Directors and starting @positivelyafricana along the way among numerous other things. We can’t wait to see what she does next! 🎉❤️🎓🚀🌟
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Thank you to @artifactcider , @provisionswine , @coopersliquors , and @cafebalagan for providing drinks.

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📸 Photos by Paul Specht
Last night our #GivingVoice2023 student panel feat Last night our #GivingVoice2023 student panel featured Luz Muñoz (Colombia), Canser Bayir (Turkey), and Alina Chirilov (Moldova). The three students are pictured here in the audience before the panel discussion with ILI career and college counselor, Beth Reddish.

Former student Annie Castaño hosted Giving Voice this year and led the panel discussion by asking Luz, Canser, and Alina questions about their experiences. We heard about their backgrounds, what led them to come to the U.S., their experiences since being here, the communities they’ve found and formed, the ways ILI has impacted their lives, and their future goals. We are so grateful to our students for sharing their stories, it was a highlight of the evening! ⭐️

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A stunning cake made by @_azhar_bakery for #iligiv A stunning cake made by @_azhar_bakery for #iligivingvoice23 🎂
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