[mohene1]

There is a deep fallacy in his argument. The academic learning of a language teaches almost nothing. The true challenge is not foreign vocabulary it is the reluctance to engage another culture, which is the prerequisite to learning any language. The author does not make this distinction possibly because he was stationed in a German-speaking country and assumes each language learner can mimic his learning process without his experience.

Often, one won't even attempt to learn a language unless you appreciate - or at least think you appreciate - the culture.

[tnzn]

I learned English playing MMORPGs. I didn't give a damn about the culture, I just wanted to communicate with people. This means I do not understand some pop culture references, but I can speak quite fluently without having cared about English speaking countries' culture.

[awkwarddaturtle]

> I learned English playing MMORPGs. I didn't give a damn about the culture

MMORPGs were created by americans and is part of american culture...

> This means I do not understand some pop culture references

Culture isn't just pop culture.

> but I can speak quite fluently without having cared about English speaking countries' culture.

That's fine. But I find it highly unlikely. Especially considering "anglo" ( particularly american ) culture is so world dominant.

[kgwgk]

Many people will learn English because they want to communicate with others (who often also learn English for the same reason). Not because they have any interest in anglophone culture (if such a thing exists).

[dahauns]

True, but English is kind of a special case, being today's lingua franca in many areas of the world.

[flushandforget]

I didn't read it like that. More the joy of exploring another language.