Throughout the modern era, with globalization at its height, understanding one or two languages is becoming more than a simple feat of high class as well as intelligence, but additionally a strict need in many great instances. Regardless of whether it is for business, social or personal motives, learning a minimum of one foreign language is really a must for anyone who wants to maintain an edge nowadays in this world.
Learning a language should be a part of everyone’s life; it changes the way your brain works and the way that you communicate. It helps you think about the way you communicate in your native tongue, the vocabulary, the forms as well as it will help you communicate with people who have learned your native tongue as a second language.
On top of the utility of having a second language, there is also the fact that you will be able to connect with a new world of people, making new Friends and relationships. The first thing you will discover is how to live in a different culture with differing customs; by doing this you will discover more about yourself and also more about other culture.
Your job or profession requires you to learn another language. For those whose job entails communicating with people speaking another Language, learning a 2nd language is an added advantage. You can’t rely on interpreters, and in using gestures forever, you need to learn how to communicate with another Language on your own. Your environment will provide you with an advantage since you will be able to hone your verbal skills without having to look for a place where you can practice.
You will be able to learn about a culture different from yours. Learning a 2nd language will help you understand better the culture and customs of people who speak this language. It will be interesting and you might even find it useful if, in the future, you will be able to visit their country or even move there permanently.
Learning a 2nd language will expand your personal knowledge and enhance your employment chances. If you’ve just graduated or in the process of looking for a job, knowing another language aside from your native one will definitely help you in looking for a high-paying and high profile job. Because of the globalized status of most industries, most employers are now looking beyond applicants’ academic degrees and are also considering other things that an applicant can offer to the company.
Knowing another language means you get to make new friends, both platonic and romantic. Being able to communicate with others means more fun people to hang out with.
Well, this is true at least in the US where most of us are monolingual. When you say that you speak Spanish, Japanese, or Russian, you will instantly gain respect. This is also true when you know a less-common language and can communicate with native speakers in their mother tongue. They’ll love you!
It would be great to be able to learn a 2nd language. It will be cool and you will feel certain self-worth if you can cope with different situations, even when you’re in foreign territory. It’s very gratifying to be able to understand other people who talk to you even though they don’t speak your native language.
Use the Internet (or look in your city) to find native speakers of your target language and ask them if they want to learn your native language (especially if you speak English as a native language) in exchange for some help with their native language. You can use Skype to practice your speaking skills and exchange e-mails to improve your writing skills.
Music is one of the ways of learning a 2nd language as an adult! How can you use music to learn a 2nd language as an adult?
Listen to podcasts for language learners to learn the basics of your target language or listen to regular podcasts to improve your listening skills. There are hundreds of podcasts on iTunes. If you are more advanced, listen to regular podcasts related to your interests – it’s a very fun and interesting way to work on your language skills.
Your reasons for learning a 2nd language might be different from those of another person, but one thing is for sure, you will greatly benefit from your decision to learn a 2nd language.