Language learning is tough.

It’s even tougher if you don’t understand yourself and how you learn best. This article is all about how your Enneagram number affects how you learn language, and how you can use your personal super powers to your advantage when it comes to language learning.

In this article, I’ll tell you about your number’s strengths and weaknesses as a language learner, as well as give you three helpful tips for each type to learn a language faster.

Enneagram Ones

Language Learning Strengths
Enneagram 1’s are aware of what other’s expectations are of them, and they work hard to meet those expectations. That’s a huge asset in language learning, because language is by nature a relational transaction. The Enneagram 1’s superpower is that they will work through a language curriculum with vigor, and will study hard.

Language Learning Weaknesses
Learning a second language is humbling, because you’re constantly put in situations where you either don’t know what to say, or you’ve said the wrong thing. An Enneagram 1 values doing what is appropriate, and may get frustrated when they can’t say the right thing in the right situation. Because of 1’s desire for excellence, they may give up on learning a language rather than struggle through the process of making mistakes.

Top 3 Language Learning Tips for Enneagram 1’s

1) Enroll in a language learning program that has a clear and complete curriculum. You want to avoid the frustration of just picking and choosing language lessons from various apps or videos on Youtube. Instead, you’ll thrive by choosing a complete curriculum that takes you from the very basics to an advanced command of language. They more complete the plan for success, the more comfortable and prepared you’ll feel to take on another language.

2) Remind yourself that it’s okay to make (many, many) mistakes. Learning another language only comes when you’re willing to fail over an over with imperfect pronunciation and improper grammar. Just keep in mind that every mistake brings you one step closer to clear pronunciation and correct grammar.

3) Find a language learning partner or teacher who brings out the “fun” in you. Plans are great, and a high-quality language learning program is essential, but you also need to let your guard down and “play” with language. I’ve found that if a particular language learner is putting too much pressure on themselves to say everything perfectly, I partnering them with a life-of-the-party people person. This matchup helps bring the Enneagram 1 out of their head, and pulls them out of perfection and into human connection. When that human connection happens, language is much more likely to flow.

Enneagram Twos

Language Learning Strengths
Enneagram 2’s make amazing language learners because of their strong people skills and desire to connect. It might sounds obvious, but language is, by nature, relational. We speak so that we can communicate information, thoughts, or ideas to other humans. Because 2’s are aware of other’s needs, they make great listeners in their second language. They will push through awkwardness to connect with someone else, which is a great asset in a language learner.

Language Learning Weaknesses 
Enneagram 2’s may struggle to learn a language if they are being required to, or if they don’t see how the learning ties to helping other people.

Top 3 Language Learning Tips for Enneagram 2s

1) Learn a new language with others, instead of alone. The worst thing you could do is just sit down and try to memorize vocabulary words from a textbook. Your motivation to learn a second language likely has to do with a desire to connect to someone you know. That person may be a good friend, a love interest, or the people you plan on meeting when you visit a new country. Because your primary motivation to learn the new language is interpersonal, you will be most motivated to practice if people are involved in your language learning. This could be through a group class, a live webinar, or a personal tutor. Either way, just make sure people are involved.

2) Celebrate your language learning milestones. Enneagram 2’s feel validated when they are seen and appreciated. One of the best ways to do that is to celebrate your big language learning moments. Did you just complete a language course? Hang up your certificate at your desk to remind you of what you’ve achieved. Did you get that score you wanted on the TOEFL test? Go out to dinner to celebrate. Find time to celebrate your major milestones.

3) Find a way to serve others through your language learning. Learning Italian because you’re planning a trip to Italy next spring? Add a day of local volunteering to your itinerary, to help motivate you. Are you a Mexican immigrant in the U.S.? Find a friend who you can do a language exchange with where you teach your friend Spanish, and your friend teaches you English. By helping your friend, you’ll further your own studies. Enneagram 2’s love feeling needed, and helping others is a great outlet for that. 2’s will do almost anything for others, including learning another language.

Enneagram Threes

Language Learning Strengths

Because Enneagram 3’s have a strong internal motivation to succeed, your language learning superpower is your grit and determination to push through the challenges of language learning. You do well at memorizing the rules of your new language, do well in group class situations, because of your inner drive to rise to the top.

Language Learning Weaknesses 
Because language learning is an on-going process, you may get discouraged when you don’t see that you’re improving. You may also be nervous to use your second language around other people, because you like to appear capable and successful. When you don’t feel like you’ve mastered the language, you may avoid using it, which slows your language growth.

Top 3 Language Learning Tips for Enneagram 3’s

1) Sign up for a language test. You love the pressure of competition, and tests are a great opportunity to push yourself into growth. You don’t let yourself down very easily, so you’ll rise to the challenge of scoring high on a test. Plus, it gives you a solid number to show you exactly where you stand and what you need to improve.

2) Set achievable language learning goals. Learning another language can feel like a marathon with no finish line, because fluency can feel vague and far off. How do you know when you’ve “learned a language”? There is no definitive end. That’s why smaller, achievable goals are key for an Enneagram 3. Some goals you could set for yourself are, “Learn 100 new vocabulary words this week”, “Have 5 conversations in your second language this week”, or “Order your meal in your second language.” These smaller, achievable goals will keep you motivated, and help you check that goal off your list.

3) Embrace failure. You can’t escape failure in language learning. It can be easy to feel ridiculous when you can’t find the right word, or when you misunderstand what someone says. Because Enneagram 3’s hate feeling stupid, it might be tempting to not put yourself out there and actually use the language you’ve been studying. Just remember that the people you’re communicating aren’t judging you.

Enneagram Fours

Language Learning Strengths
Enneagram 4’s have the superpower of creativity and imagination, which is a huge asset in language learning. As an Enneagram 4, you are able to dive into your imagination and connect the language you’re learning with the cultural context you’ll be in while speaking it. For example, if you have a trip planned to the Great Wall of China, you may daydream about what it’s going to be like to visit there, and what you would say when you’re there. Enneagram 4’s look at the world in a unique way, which is a strength in language learning. You can look at the creativity of language, where others may just try to memorize all the rules.

Language Learning Weaknesses 
You may get discouraged or bored if a language learning curriculum doesn’t allow for your specific learning style or creative nature. You don’t enjoy being put in a box, and some language programs can feel too rigid for you to get interested. You may find that the roller coaster of language acquisition brings out feelings of disappointment when you aren’t yet as fluent as you want to be.

Top 3 Language Learning Tips for Enneagram 4’s

1) Remember your “why”. Keep your motivation close as you face the ups and downs of language learning. If you can hold onto your motivation, you’ll be able to stay the course when language learning gets difficult.

2) Express yourself. Your creativity drives you, so you should find ways to express yourself in your new language. Write songs and pen poetry in your second language. Any way you can artistically and emotionally connect to what you’re learning will increase your language acquisition.

3) Find a language teacher you can believe in. Because your emotions are important to you, you want to make sure that you trust in the teacher you are learning from. If a teacher is too rigid and doesn’t respect different learning styles, you may find it hard to stay motivated. That’s why you should find a language learning program and teacher that you believe in.

Enneagram Fives

Language Learning Strengths

Enneagram 5’s love learning. They are information sponges, soaking up as much information as possible. This makes you an amazing language learner. You will dive deep into articles about verb conjugations and watch Youtube videos for hours, researching what language learning program is the most effective. You are do amazing at directing your own learning, so you can learn in a variety of contexts. You’re also curious, which is a key ingredient for a successful second language learner.

Language Learning Weaknesses 

As an Enneagram 5, you might keep your nose in the books too long, and put less importance on crucial conversations with actual 3-D people. You might struggle in collaborative learning environments, where you’re not given the space to study key language rules on your own.

Top 3 Language Learning Tips for Enneagram 5’s

1) Focus on output, rather than input. The key to your success is going to be finding a successful outlet to practice everything you’ve been studying. You’re a pro at consuming information, but where you struggle is using what you know. This means you should push yourself to find people to talk to in your second language, and write in your new language. It’s not just enough to listen and read. You have to speak and write as well.

2) Study language through your hobbies and interests. Because you love to research information, why not conduct that research in your second language? For example, let’s say that you love mountain biking. You love reading about new bikes that have come out, and finding out what the latest gear is. Instead of doing your research in your native language, do that research in your second language. Join online groups that take all about mountain biking in your second language, and watch Youtube videos about bikes in that second language. That way, you’re learning all that specialized vocabulary that comes with a field that you’re genuinely interested in.

3) Stay humble. It’s easy to think that because you’ve studied and researched all you can about your second language that you know all there is to know about it. However, language learning is something that never stops. It’s important to stay humble and willing to learn from others. Because language is social by nature, you’re always going to be put in situations where you are adapting to what your conversation partner is saying. Stay humble and willing to learn.

Enneagram Sixes

Language Learning Strengths

Enneagram 6’s are hard-working overcomes who step over obstacles that stand in the way. When an Enneagram 6 is committed to what that language can do for themselves and those around them, they will do anything to learn it. As an Enneagram 6, you take responsibility on your shoulders. This benefits you as a language learner, because you know that no one else can learn a language for you.

Language Learning Weaknesses

Because language learning is stretching to us socially and mentally, Enneagram 6’s could shy away from the risk, and instead avoid learning languages altogether. It’s risky and vulnerable to develop a new skill, especially one that’s connected to our communication. Because of that, 6’s may drag their feet and never take on the challenge. Enneagram 6’s may avoid growing into a better version of themselves because of their desire for security, missing out on the opportunity to learn a new language.


Top 3 Language Learning Tips for Enneagram 6’s

1) Picture a fluent future. Because you’re hesitant to take risks, you may put off learning a new language forever. It’s risky to dive into something so seemingly abstract as language and culture. The key to your success will be focusing on the future you want with that language. Resist the urge to focus on the negatives. Ask yourself, “If I join that language course today, what’s the best that could happen?”, “How will I feel in 5 years if I never learn that new language?”, or “What opportunities will I miss out on if I’m not fluent in ___________?” Focus on that amazing future you can have as someone who is fluent in more than one language.

2) Choose a highly-structured language learning plan. Enneagram 6’s want to feel as little risk as possible, and like the details are taken care of. You want to choose a language learning program that has been proven and well-reviewed so that you can trust it will work. Make sure to read the reviews of the language program, and do your research before you dive in so you can let down your guard.

3) Pay attention to your stress while language learning. We all have something called an “affective filter” when it comes to language learning. An affective filter is a buildup of environmental and psychological factors that slow down language learning. For example, if you’re trying to learn in a humid room that’s 90 degrees, you will be thinking about how to stay cool, and won’t be as receptive to what you’re learning. The same goes for rooms that are poorly lit, a teacher whose voice is grating, and a day where your allergies are causing you to sneeze every five minutes. Stress from your personal life can build up that affective filter. Enneagram 6’s can tend to worry and pile on stress, which can overload your circuits, leaving little brain space for language learning. If you can manage your stress and de-clutter your life during the season of life when you’re learning, you’ll advance much more quickly.

For more information on the Enneagram Six, check out this Guide to Enneagram Six.

Enneagram Sevens

Language Learning Strengths

Enneagram 7’s bring the fun to any situation, and this is a huge asset in a language classroom. Language is social, which is right up your alley. You bring energy to your language learning, and are quick to throw a “Paris” party when you’re learning French. You improve everyone’s experience of language, because you’re all-in on conversations, and you’re optimistic. You’re fun to talk to, so people want to connect with you in your second language. This means you get tons of practice using your language with others.

Language Learning Weaknesses

Enneagram 7’s can have a hard time sticking with something to the very end. Your greatest challenge will be to keep going on those hard or boring days. You may also avoid the tedium of grammar, because it fails to bring the fun.

Top 3 Language Learning Tips for Enneagram 7’s

1) Mix it up. The key to your success is to change up your learning regularly. You’re not one to just want to sit down and quietly study a list of 100 vocabulary words. You would rather play a vocabulary game, watch a movie in your second language, or have a bunch of people over who speak that language. Find a teacher that is flexible and adventurous.

2) Join social groups where you’re the only non-native speaker. Make new friends who look nothing like you and can expand your horizons. Anywhere you can have a blast and naturally be engaged in conversation with others is your sweet spot, so this kind of outlet is a rapid language developer for you.

3) Immerse yourself in the culture. You love a good adventure, so it’s time to book that trip for language school in another country! Spend as much time as you can at language school, meeting new people and learning the culture. Language learning is more effective and enjoyable when it’s all around you, so skip Rosetta Stone, and book that ticket.

Enneagram Eights

Language Learning Strengths

Enneagram 8’s are amazing at questioning the status quo, which makes you a great language learner. You won’t sit back and just listen as the teacher lectures. You want to get answers to your burning questions about prepositions and word order. You also have a strong work ethic and are driven by a great plan. If you are learning with language program you believe in, you’ll be all in.

Language Learning Weaknesses
Because you dislike feeling out of control, you may resist putting yourself in situations where you don’t feel confident. A lack of confidence is normal when learning another language, so you may give up learning all together, and just resort to your other strengths. You may grow frustrated with the rules of the language you’re learning, because they’re unfamiliar to you.

Top 3 Language Learning Tips for Enneagram 8’s

1) Take classes at an Intensive Language Program. Put your work ethic to great use by diving in all the way. An intensive language program will have you in classes 20-30 hours a week, and is often the quickest way to learn a language. You can put all of your energy into learning a language quickly, so that you make the quickest gains.

2) Challenge yourself to meet difficult language learning milestones. Set goals for yourself like passing a difficult language test or memorizing 200 new vocabulary words. Put your tenacity to work for you by tackling challenging goals.

3) Lead a study group. Because Enneagram 8’s are natural-born leaders, you have the opportunity to champion others in your pursuit of fluency. This will help you direct more of your language learning, which will keep your motivation high, and improve your proficiency.

Enneagram Nines

Language Learning Strengths

You are great at bringing people with you and building consensus, which can be a great skill to have in a language class. You are good-natured, and easy to talk to, which makes people want to have conversations with you. As you connect with others, that will build your conversation skills and vocabulary.

Language Learning Weaknesses 

Enneagram 9’s may find it difficult to wrestle through the roadblocks of language learning, because your nature is to maintain calm. You may also have difficulty branching out and striking up conversations, which are essential in your language learning growth. I once had an Enneagram 9 in class who scored amazing on tests, but whenever I talked to her before and after class, she would look for her cousin to speak for her. When 9’s are in group classes, they struggle with asking necessary questions to language growth.

Top 3 Language Learning Tips for Enneagram 9’s

1) Build up your stamina. Start by learning for 5 minutes a day in the first week, and then 10 minutes a day the next week. Build up little by little so that you don’t get overwhelmed with language learning. You have what it takes to learn a new language. Just start in small increments.

2) Join a class with a friend. You need a guide you can be yourself with, someone who you feel safe to ask all of your burning language questions to. Because you don’t naturally question what teachers say, you would benefit someone who will help you do that.

3) Study online. There’s no better place to be anonymous. Online language programs enable you to study at your own pace, away from prying eyes and the pressure of classroom study.

Until next time, Happy learning!

Andrea