In the United States, many people only speak one language. English is a great language. It’s an international language. You can travel all around the world and probably find someone who understands it. Of course, you can go to the U.K., Australia or South Africa and chat with someone, but you’re likely to find English speakers in other areas too, like Western Europe and Argentina.
But that does not mean that you shouldn’t try to learn another language. And “learning” another language does not mean that you need to become fluent. Let’s face it: that’s a really difficult goal. Plenty of people are fluent in multiple languages, sure, but it’s often hard to do if you’re not living in an area where you are surrounded by that language. Even learning the basics of another language is incredibly useful.
First, you can travel more. In an introduction of French, you’ll likely learn the basic pleasantries (“What is your name?” “How are you?” and “Where are you from?”) You’ll also learn basic foods. So when you finally get to France, you’ll have no problem asking for an omelet or finding the bathroom.
Studying a foreign language also helps you learn more about your own language. You will suddenly be surrounded by words and phrases you never heard before (like “gerund,” “present perfect,” or “conditional phrase.”) This is incredibly useful for English speakers, too. You get to understand more about grammar and how to properly speak English.
Language also helps you reach across different boundaries, whether they’re international, religious or social distinctions. It helps you learn phrases that aren’t easily translated like idioms and expressions. I personally found this to be useful when studying Arabic. Learning the language helped me learn more about the Middle East and its history.
It also generally makes you feel smarter. When you go to a Mexican restaurant, you know how to pronounce “quesadilla.” You can correct your friend when he mispronounces “Les Misérables.” You’ll be able to pronounce people’s names easier, which also makes it a lot easier to avoid the awkward situation when you make the person repeat their name multiple times.
Yes, learning a foreign language is difficult. It is not a passive study. You’ll get frustrated by the complexities and difficulties. But remember, you once learned English. English is a very complicated language. Remain positive and try to learn another. It will only benefit you.
