Have you ever watched a foreign film? Or visited another country? Or listened to a beautiful song with strange and beautiful words? Have you ever just longed to understand what was missing in these strange syllables of text? Learn to speak a foreign language. There is no feeling in the world like being able to converse with someone in a language other than your own. To sit there, listening to them speak, and be able to think "I understand!" Its is an exquisite experience unlike any other.
There are easy ways to learn. It doesn't require classes and books and long hours of studying or expensive. I highly recommend the app DuoLingo. I used this during my French course in college, as well as for German. It used simple words and phrases and slowly helps you build your vocabulary and grammar skills without having to go through hours of exercises and grammar charts. It has you use matching, spelling, speaking, listening, and another variety of ways to practice and learn your language skills.
I also recommend watching foreign films. I LOVE watching movies in French and German. Just turn on the subtitles and enjoy. You would be surprised at how much you can pick up just by watching a 2 hour long film. Many of them are also just very interesting to watch because you get a glimpse at the cultural differences between these other countries and America. You can always pause the movie to look up a particular phrase someone said and learn how to say it and what it means.
Everyone has a different way of learning. I can reproduce sounds very easily by ear due to my years training as a classical vocalist. But it really helps me to see the words written out to really understand how it is supposed to sound. I also personally can understand writing better than I can write in other languages. My grammar is not always proper when speaking other languages. However, if you can learn enough vocabulary and the a basic set of grammar skills, then you can usually fill in the gaps well enough to carry on a basic conversation.
With today's modern technology, there is an unlimited amount of "How To" videos online, or at the library, or even on tv that you can watch. You can meet people from other countries online in chat-rooms and have them help you learn. You can buy a dictionary and learn that way, or used text books from a local book store or university.
If you have any interest in traveling, or trying out a new life experience, I really suggest learning a foreign language. It is so easy if you are willing to put in just the slightest bit of work. The people in most other countries are very welcoming of people that try to speak their language, and 9 times out of 10, they will help you figure out how to say what you are trying to say. When you can finally say full phrases and sentences and actually talk to someone in a conversation that isn't scripted? That feeling is priceless.
