08 Reasons Why You Should Start to Learn a Foreign Language

About a year ago, I decided that I would start learning English. Indeed, I always wanted to learn it, not say that I have dreamt about it. I even got started to learn at traditional language schools, but I could not continue due to both financial issues and did not fit their teaching methods. I also tried to use free tools such as phone apps, but I confess I was not very disciplined with my studies.

Taking advantage of a great opportunity and needing to do something, finally decided that I would start to learn English, and not only that but I would seriously take my learning. I quickly became a passionate leaner and, since then, I have daily been dedicating myself to the language, seizing everything it has to offer.

It didn’t take so long to get started to notice the first rewards of foreign language studies, those you probably have read and heard. It’s from them that arises my inspiration to write this post. After experienced and have been experiencing the learning process, I want to tell you why you should start to learn another language, today!

It allows you to know new people and cultures.

In case you are a person that does not have much social ability and wants to develop it, learning a foreign language may be the first step. In the first weeks of English studies already, I began to know new people when I was in touch with other English students. To maximum enhance your studies, practicing it is of utmost importance. That said, I looked to connect with both English learners and speakers, mainly using a source constantly present in day to day: the internet. Through social networks, I have had the opportunity to know people from various regions of Brazil and throughout the world, from diversified cultures and different religions, with whom I could share knowledge and experiences related to language learning, besides life experiences.

Some time ago, when I had travel opportunities, I would surely have known more people and have shared more experiences, if I had part of the knowledge that I have nowadays. As social beings we are, the contact with others brings to the organism and to the mind great benefits that can’t be left.

A short time later, I started to work at a Hostel, where I also have been having an opportunity to connect with people that I have never thought that I would know — what brings us to the next topic.

It leads you to better professional opportunities.

There is no doubt that the knowledge of another language raises opportunities and expands the possibilities of professional acting. In this current globalization scenario, in which we are being been increasingly connected and companies also increasingly internationalized, possessing an additional language it is essential if not imperative to insert ourselves in this new context. As soon as I have accomplished a basic level of communication in English, in a moment that I was unemployed for more than a year, I focused on the hotel industry, specifically in an area that would allow me to conciliate the work and studies (and also practicing languages): the rising sector of Hostels. Currently, I work at a Hostel, where I not only can keep the college’s studies but also put my knowledge of English into use.

As a civil engineering student, I observe that the best opportunities for work in the area, it demands from the candidate — and prospective employee — an additional language to the Portuguese. Research has shown that only 5% of Brazil’s population speaks a second language and that only 3% has got fluency in English. Although knowing a second language does not be the unique deciding hiring factor of a given opening, it certainly opens an advantage to the bilingual over other candidates.

Having a bilingual brain is good for your health.

Benefits such as improvement of concentration and memory were perceived, which have been being good things, not only for my language studies but also for my graduation course. That evidence confirms the distinct research on the field related to bilingualism.

Besides that, symptoms of sickness such as Alzheimer’s and dementia may be belated comparing to people with a monolingual brain, according to the research developed by Dr. Ellen Bialystok, from York University.

It improves your communication skills.

After I started to communicate in English, both in the day to day and professional situations, I have noticed that the communication skills of mine have presented an improvement, even in Portuguese that is my native language. I previously used to be a little introverted and less communicative, but now I notice that it is easier to express my mind and hold a conversation on, or even introduce myself to others. That’s because, while studying a foreign language, we are constantly exposed to situations in which we need to continually speak in a language that does not comprehend our comfort zone. Such situations made my level of confidence in communication, even in Portuguese, jump to a level I did not even think I could have in such a short time.

Whether it’s been scientifically proved, I am not sure. It is a particular deduction. It might work for you as well. Though only if you give it a go.

A quantitative and qualitative increase in information and knowledge sources.

When you only know your native language, you may end up restricted to the information sources written in your mother tongue. The learning of a second (or a third, so forth) language allows access to bigger quantities and better sources of knowledge and information that were not possible before. Publications on your professional area or that favorite book are now one click away. Nowadays, I see myself reading and consuming good sources, that, again, I have never imagined I would before learning English.

There are indeed innumerable translation tools available, but it is also true that, sometimes, a translation can simply not make sense, making the term, expression, or text incomprehensible in the language it has been translated — what brings us to the next topic!

You’re going to understand the references.

Have you seen yourself watching a movie or reading the lyrics of a song that has been translated to your native language and, for you, it simply did not make sense? I have!

As I said before, sometimes, translations don’t make sense. What is obvious, once we are dealing with different languages, in which words can possess different meanings and uses, even does not exist a correspondent. After learning English, I started to consume again content I have already done, and then, everything made sense, because I was able to understand the information in its real sense.

Furthermore, we are daily inundated by a variety of content produced in distinct languages, especially scientific productions. Therefore, knowing another language chances you being updated about the work displayed.

You learn to be disciplined with your goals.

On one thing we can agree: good results are achieved only with dedication. Language learning is no different. It demands time, effort, and dedication. If you deal seriously with your goals, you certainly strive to eventually accomplish them.

When I started learning English I was led to planning my learning, such as setting short-term goals (learning new vocabulary and grammatical structures, for example), or long-term goals (reaching a certain level in a given time), establishing a study routine (say, 01 or 02 hours of study per day), and follow it. And you learn that either you work for your goals or they will hardly be achieved. Unfortunately, there is no magic solution.

Because you can!

It does not matter your age, profession, social class, or where you are. You can start to learn a language right now, right from your cell phone! There is a lot of content available on the internet in texts, videos through channels on Youtube, mobile apps aimed at learning foreign languages. What is more: free and easy to access. A Google from you.

It does not matter if it is English, Spanish, German, French, or whatever you think is best. Search, seek, test, and find what fits you best. You just have to want to. Also connect with both learners and speakers, practice, ask for help when needed. Just do it!

Conclusions.

Learning another language is not easy, but it is stimulating and rewarding. I still remember the happiness of completing my first text without having to consult a dictionary (which can always happen, since there is always something new to learn) or be able to interact with people from different languages and cultures.

Of course, I still have a long way ahead before I reach a level of fluency in English. But the thirst for knowledge and learning new languages still exists and I hope it will grow on you as well.