Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, German, French and countless more. There's literally a world of languages waiting for you to discover and someday speak! But learning a new language isn't easy, heck some native English speakers don't do that great a job of it, so here's some motivation in the form of ten reasons why you should learn another language...
10. It opens up a whole new world of entertainment.
From Bollywood movies to Spanish soap operas and an endless number of excellent pieces of literature, there's a lifetime's worth of buried treasures and hidden gems waiting for you to stumble upon them, but only if you have the tools you need.
9. Woo others.
Nothing says well learned and exotic like a smooth bonjour or a confidently spoken ciao. And if you can sing in a foreign tongue... well you can see the results below.
8. Get the upper hand when looking for a job.
It's no secret that it isn't a walk in the park to get a job nowadays, especially a good one and one that you want. Knowing even a decent amount of a different language will give you the edge you need in a crowded job market.
7. Make travel more exciting (and safe).
Whether it's on a European cruise or a trip to the Far East, knowing the native language will open you up to a whole new vacation experience. You can enjoy more independence, which means not relying on expensive tour guides and dreaded touristy areas. Also, with your understanding of the local language, you are less likely to be cheated or led astray making it a good investment if your life and/or personal belongings are important to you.
6. It's good for your health.
Research studies from recent years have shown that learning a second language slows brain aging and lowers the risking of developing Alzheimer's and dementia. Meaning your bilingual self will have a better chance to be partying it up late in life.
5. Connect with your family's history.
Have you always wanted to experience a bit of the culture of your ancestors? Learning the language is a great way to relate to your namesake and maybe discover something new about where and who you came from.
4. Pass a valuable skill on to the next generation.
It's an understatement to say we live in a global society but you may not know its full implications especially when it comes to language. By 2050 the United States will be home to the largest number of Spanish speakers in the world. Additionally, French is one of the fastest growing languages in the world with its use exploding in sub-Saharan Africa. Learning another language will allow you to pass on this practical and invaluable skill to those who will need it more than us.
3. It can hone your mental processes.
Not only does knowing another language slow brain aging, as mentioned before, it also improves cognitive skills. Lengthening of attention span, improvement of memory and even enhancing general intelligence are all side effects of learning a new language.
2. You can curse without anyone knowing.
No longer will you be bound by the standards of public decency. You can curse freely at work, at school, in traffic all without running the risk of someone being offended or you getting reprimanded. All it takes is learning the language and hoping that the people around you don't speak, too.
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1. It's enjoyable and something you can be proud of.
You might not be the fastest or strongest athlete, the smartest student, or the most efficient employee, but then again you might be, it doesn't matter. Language is blind to it; it isn't tied to any of your shortcomings or your strengths, it's only waiting to be one of your next accomplishments. There's no pressure in learning it so sit back, relax, enjoy the ride and reap the rewards only learning a new language can provide.
