Whether it's to watch one of your favorite shows, travel abroad, or to show off your new skills to your friends, learning a language can be fun and rewarding, but you will also come across some challenges along the way. The good news is, the benefits far outweigh the challenges in comparison.
Are you interested in learning another language? Which language are you interested in? Are you wondering if you're too old to learn another language? SPOILER: No one is too old to learn another language. What are your reasons to learn another language?
The Why
Everyone's why is different. Maybe you're interested in traveling abroad, or maybe you met someone from another country and you would like to speak to them in their language. Maybe it's because you found an awesome show on Netflix and you don't speak the language spoken in the show. No matter what the reason is, it's important to know why you want to learn the language. Knowing the why is very essential to learning a language, because it helps push you to reach your language goals. Without a why, you can easily lose track of progress and become disillusioned with learning the language. In this post, I will talk about a few good reasons to learn a new language.
Connect with others
Learning a new language allows you to connect with more people. It's an incredible experience to speak to another person in their language. Seeing their face light up is very rewarding. When learning a new language, many people are afraid to speak thinking native speakers will make fun of them or tell them they're doing a bad job, but this isn't true. Many native speakers greatly appreciate your efforts to learn their language, even if you say something grammatically incorrect, that doesn't change that you are taking the time to learn their language and about their culture. Native speakers will show you their appreciation. Opening up this door, you will build great friendships that can last a lifetime. Learning a new language opens the door to deeper more interesting conversations once you can speak the same language as this other person. #learnanewlanguage #connectwithothers #languagelearningbenefits
Travel the World
If you're looking to travel to another country, why not take the time to learn a few phrases, and sayings in the language of the land. Not only will this help with your overall tip, it will also make the trip a lot more fun. Travelers who take the time to learn the language of the country they're visiting can even travel outside the tourist areas and see more traditional and local favorites. Even if you don't have future travel plans you can still learn a language, and make it a goal to visit a country that speaks that language. #travelabroad #traveling
Advance your Career
Speaking a second, a third, a fourth language puts you at a carer advantage. Though it is not required for a lot of jobs, it does set you apart from your other coworkers. Many companies even require bilingual speakers. A lot of employers are looking for job candidates that are multilingual because they can communicate with overseas markets. In the United States, there are millions of residents who speak a language other than English. Learning another language opens up more career opportunities, and even within your already existing job possibly some more bonuses.
Fuel Your Mind
Another great reason to learn a language is the positive effect it has on your mind. People who speak another language have been proven to have better problem solving, and critical thinking skills. They have improved memory functions, and sharper concentration. They are able to multitask a lot better than the average person because they switch between completing various tasks, and taking in whats happening around them in their environment. Learning another language is also great to help fight off mental aging and cognitive decline that comes as we age.
Boost Confidence in Yourself
Learning another language can be challenging, but when you're sitting there one day watching that Kdrama on Netflix and you recognize a word or two without even looking at the subtitles that is a very rewarding feeling. The more you study, and overcome challenges, the more rewarding it feels. Your confidence in your abilities grows. You start to switch from saying "I can't" to "I can!" Learning a new language may put you out of your comfort zone, but the amazing feeling of accomplishment when you communicate with someone in their native language is an incredible feeling.
Broadening your Perspective
As you learn a new language you naturally start to learn about the culture associated with that language. You also learn about the history of the land and the people. Learning about another culture is so fun, you get to experience fun traditions, taste delicious foods, and try new experiences. It also helps you to really learn about your own culture. You will really come to appreciate and love people, and appreciate the cultures of others, and your own. #multicultural #cultures
In Conclusion
Whatever reason you may have to learn a language no one can tell you "that's a silly reason." We all have different reasons we want to learn a language. There are so many benefits to learning a new language. The friendships you will create, the confidence that "YOU CAN", and the appreciation for others are just a few. Whatever your reason is, stick to your studies. Engage with others in conversation to practice your new language. Don't be afraid to use your new language. Set reasonable goals for yourself, short term goals, and long term goals. Believe in yourself that YOU CAN learn a new language.
I hope that you have found this article to be encouraging, and I wish the best for you in your language learning journey. Check out my Blog posts about my Korean language journey. Feel free to leave me a comment below, what language are you currently learning?
Thank you for reading. Until next time! Adios!
Alexandrea
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