We all have been in a situation where we do not know what a person is trying to say because they are speaking in a different language. It is very frustrating because we want to help this person and understand what they need, but there is no way of doing so.

Usually, we grow up learning our home country's native language, which in our case is English. There are some families who begin teaching their children two languages so they can become fluent in both when old enough. I support the families who do this because I think it is very important to know at least one other language other than your own.

There are several reasons why I believe knowing another language is important, but the number one reason is altering one's perspective.

When knowing another language, our creative edge and outlook on life is increased and helps us to better understand those around us. Dealing with different cultures helps us to gain a better understanding and sense of our own as well.

When you travel to a different country, and if you have not already you should, that country will most likely be speaking in another language. There are a lot of people, although, that will be able to speak several languages because they know how many immigrants come and go. I see this as respectful because these people in other countries want to be able to help and understand what you are saying so they make sure they can do that by learning several languages.

In America, we get so used to the way things are around us that we forget how big our world really is and how we are just living in a small little bubble we call home. Traveling this summer has really been an eye-opener for me because I got to see so many different cultures and how people live and interact with one another.

While in Paris, right away, I experienced a culture shock because everyone spoke French.

I learned though that most of the people there could also speak English which helped me out greatly since I knew no French at all. But, reading the menus and trying to figure out what signs meant was very difficult for me and made me realize how little I know about the world.

This experience made me come to the conclusion that I will learn one other language and be able to speak it fluently. I made this a goal of mine right after leaving France and I am sticking to it. The reward I will give myself after learning this new language will be to travel back to France and be able to have a full conversation with the people that live there.

Learning a new language does not have to be tedious or boring. You can make it fun and just take a little time out of every day to learn something new. Make it a habit of learning something new about that language and as the days pass by you will realize how much you have already learned from just 15 minutes a day.