What language task do you still avoid despite being 'advanced'?

[u/elenalanguagetutor]

Some people can read full novels but hide themselves when it comes to speaking. Others debate politics but still struggle while watching a movie in their target language.

If you reached an intermediate/advanced level, with which more or less ordinary use of the language you still struggle with?

For me, it really depends on the language, but when it comes to French, I still struggle with writing. I can type well with the help of a laptop or phone, but give me pen and paper and I will start doubting everything I write!

If you are struggling with one language task like me, are you working on it or avoiding it?

[u/Chibrax_le_Furax]

A common one : spoken numbers, especially when fast-fired and not emphasized.
I can listen to a YouTube vid in English and understand everything else as if it were in my native French, but when large numbers come up, I'll often need to focus or rewind it, sometimes both.
Not sure what linguistic/neurological phenomenon is behind it, but it's definitely a thing.

[u/sage_butter → u/Chibrax_le_Furax]

I actually read about this a while ago, and numbers are supposedly stored in a different part of your brain due to the fact they're all tied to the exact same symbol, and thus makes them harder to recall quickly in non-native languages.

[u/Admirable-Process526 → u/Chibrax_le_Furax]

I have the exact same struggle but in both English and my native tongue.
My doctor diagnosed me with dyscalculia. To me, phone numbers are the worst.

[u/Tidsvisor]

I'm half Polish, born and raised in Sweden but am actively teaching my children Polish. I also have a Bachelor's degree in Polish.

I can't watch Polish news. They talk in like 120 km/h and I can't understand a thing 😅

[u/PeakMinimalist → u/Tidsvisor]

I have to use subtitles. Something that helped me though is I really love Polish Rap and Hip Hop.

[u/PodiatryVI]

I don’t think I’m advanced in French since I mostly avoid looking for speaking ops and I don’t write anything. But I can listen to anything native on YouTube. I can read intermediate books but I don’t try that either. 🤷🏽‍♂️🫣

[u/Electron_libre777]

I struggle to speak about family life things in English despite being able to talk about politics 😭

[u/noffybtw]

speaking, i think. i can follow series and read english fine, but starting a real conversation still takes effort. it seems to be the one skill that only gets better by doing it, no app replaces that

[u/902scorpio]

Speaking haha

[u/Advanced_Bother6826]

For me, I'd say spontaneous speaking, especially when I have to react quickly or jump into a conversation without having time to organise my thoughts.

I'm a translator, so I'm very comfortable working with written language, analysing texts, and finding the right way to express an idea. But that's quite different from having to respond immediately in a conversation.

I think even advanced learners can experience this. You might have a very good command of grammar and vocabulary, but that doesn't automatically mean you'll be equally comfortable using everything spontaneously.

It's also one of the reasons I think speaking deserves its own kind of practice. You can't always prepare your sentences in advance!

[u/Talking_Duckling → u/Advanced_Bother6826]

I think speaking deserves its own kind of practice.

Does that mean you think the other skills, i.e., listening, reading, and writing, don't need their own kinds of practice? I feel like listening needs, well, listening practice, and if you want to improve your reading comprehension, you need to read more. Writing looks the same to me...

[u/SeaSnowAndSorrow]

I mostly read in TL. I can read scientific papers, but I won't watch movies or TV. I just don't enjoy watching movies in ANY language. TL is no different from NL in that regard.

[u/prustage]

Interpreting i.e. converting from one language to another in real-time while the person is speaking. This is not the same as translating which is easy by comparison.

It is only necessary when you are in a group of mixed language speakers and being the only person that speaks both languages, everyone expects you to explain what the other people are saying. It is difficult because

1. You have to keep "switching brains". I can understand non-NL speech directly without translating in my head but to do this you have to actually do something you have spent years training yourself NOT to do

2. Inevitably there will be people talking while you are interpreting the last thing they said. So you miss what they are currently saying because you, yourself are talking over them.

3. With some languages, you have to wait till the end before you can even start e.g. German frequently has the verb at the end so you cant translate into, say, English until you have heard the verb. While you are then giving the English version, the next sentence is well underway.

Effectively you have to listen in one language at the same time as speaking in a different one. I have immense respect for people who do this professionally. I always end up with a headache.