Meet The App Villain

If you’re learning a new language, then you need to know that six villains are out to get you.

Yes, these evil characters will stop at nothing in their quest to prevent you ever becoming fluent in your new language.

But, who are they and how do they lure you into their seductive traps? And, most importantly, how do you stop them dead in their tracks? 

Let’s dive into Villain number two and vanquish her forever. After all, your language learning success depends on it.

Curious about the other villains? Check them out here:

1. The Grammar Villain
2. The Hoarding Villain
3. The Comparison Villain
4. The Inconsistency Villain
5. The Fear Villain

Who Is The App Villain?

This seductive villain is unique because she’s so captivating. She’s got you wrapped around her little finger; you’re totally in love.

In fact, she’s rather like the Stockholm Syndrome of the villain world; the captor you can’t get enough of. The one you’ll defend even while she twines her golden chains around you.

How Does She Work?

Now, this cute, loveable, app villain lives on your phone, and her one wish is for you to sink all your free time into tapping and swiping.

Because, if she can keep you distracted, then you’ll never do the real work you need to learn your new language.

That’s her evil aim! She’s a dangerous time-waster who is distracting you from life and learning.  And, because you love her so much, and you’re so addicted, you’ve bought into it hook, line and sinker.  

Why Does She Get Away With It?

We've all bought into the Smartphone myth; those apps are innovative, helpful, useful — a boost to organising your life.

Really? 

Unfortunately, the opposite is true. The smartphone  – and all its notifications – is the enemy of any kind of learning. It's a portable distraction machine, and you've given it permission to interrupt you whenever it wants.

But, if there is one thing you need to do as a serious language learner, it's to stay ruthlessly focused on the language activities that work. 

You need to stick to a method that works. You can't afford to be distracted by all the bells and whistles. Anything that lives on your phone and keeps you from your true learning is a monumental danger. 

How Can You Defeat The App Villain? 

Let's be clear. Just because the App Villain lives on your phone don't assume that she's useful or effective or in any way better than a simple, humble textbook. 

To defeat the app villain, you need to consider what good she's doing in your life. 

Because the truth is your app is either improving your day or being actively damaging through the evil force of distraction. 

So, an app should only be on your phone if you've evaluated your whole language learning strategy and made a conscious decision that this app is really improving your language skills.

Vanquish The Villain And Enjoy Your Learning

Deleting apps takes courage, and the App Villain knows it. 

Even while you're reading this, you're thinking, “that's not me! All my apps are helpful! I'm in control. He means someone else.” 

But, the only way to conquer the App Villain and take control of your language learning is to cut her out of your life. 

Successful language learners know this. You won't find one polyglot who has learned their languages with Duolingo or any other language app. 

So, I challenge you now to be brave and delete the App Villain from your phone. Banish her for good and turn your time and attention to the methods that actually work.

Go distraction-free and learn in a way that allows you to focus. That's the way my StoryLearning method works. Your number one focus is on reading and listening to stories. 

It's simple, elegant and effective!

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.