It’s all about the system: what systems thinking, language learning, and weight loss have in common.

Mr Henriquez
5 min readJun 23, 2022

In 2020 and 2021, I lost 40 kgs [kilos]/88 lbs [pounds], and I realised that this weight loss journey shares a lot with the journey of learning a second language. In this somewhat personal story, I’ll share a theory on language acquisition that will hopefully inspire you to keep learning your second (or third or fourth) language. This is a two-parter.

What do weight loss and language learning have in common? Left: before, right: after.

Weight loss

You’re probably hoping that I’ll start with the language acquisition theory, but I first want to set the scene regarding weight loss: I know how difficult it is to lose weight.

I’ve struggled with being overweight for as long as I can remember, and even though I agree that children shouldn’t be bothered with worries regarding their weight, it will haunt you, no matter what your parents or guardians say.

My weight frays had followed me into my adolescent life, and as a student, I took on the challenge to go vegan for a month. I was successful and lost some weight, but as soon as I switched back to a regular diet, I gained the weight as if nothing had happened.

So how did I manage to lose weight in such a short time? How did I do it amid a global pandemic and during a lockdown, whilst nearly everyone around me…

--

--

Mr Henriquez
Mr Henriquez

Written by Mr Henriquez

English teacher who writes about his views on language learning, applied linguistics, and technology. | MA in Applied Linguistics, University of Groningen (NL)

Responses (2)