In this episode, I talk about learned helplessness — that feeling of “I don’t know what to do” that shows up in language classes, and in life. Even though we have amazing tools like translation apps, Google, and ChatGPT, many learners still freeze when faced with confusion. I explore why that happens, how mindset plays a bigger role than grammar or vocabulary, and what it means to take ownership of your learning.

Drawing from my experiences teaching English and learning Japanese, I share stories and examples that show how technology can help us become more independent learners — but only if we choose to use it. The main message: you’re not helpless. There’s always something you can do to move forward, whether that’s asking a question, writing something down, or using the tools around you.

Summary and transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mB_yhr4DsftxTsH24UnRdwuiu2QP9B_3mUmdfFmb5Ho/edit?usp=sharing