Why Should You Learn A Foreign Language? (There are a lot of benefits)

If you have ever thought about learning a new language, but where not really sure if it was worthwhile, then you are probably not aware of all the other great benefits that are going to make it one of the best decisions you will ever make.

Of course there is the obvious fact that you will be able to communicate with someone from another country in a different language, but there really is so much more than this.

Everyone’s reason for why they started learning a language is different, but I will go through some of the most popular reasons why along with the great benefits you will get too.

Language Learning Is A Practical Hobby

Unless you need to learn a language for a specific reason (such as a job) then you are just doing it as a hobby.

Personally I have no reason to be learning French or Japanese, its 100% just a hobby for me.

This isn’t a bad thing; it’s actually quite the opposite. We all need hobbies to keep us busy and learning a language is actually a very practical one to have.

I can actually use the languages I have learned and get something back from them. This isn’t the same as many other hobbies, especially the ones where you collect things. If you are collecting you just end up with a pile of things and no money in your bank. I’m sure you will get plenty of enjoyment from this, but it all seems very short lived compared to acquiring a language you can use for the rest of your life.   

If you are looking for a hobby that is going to keep you busy, is cheap, challenging and will give you a skill that can reward you for years to come, then language learning is the perfect hobby for you.

Language Learning Is Fun

If your only exposure to learning a language is in school, then you may not think it’s that fun, but there can be a real enjoyment to it when you are doing it by yourself.

I will admit not every second is fun, but overall it is. There is something really enjoyable about slowly decoding the language and making sense of things.

This feeling is really amplified when you sit back one day and realise what was once just gibberish and white nose is now something you can actually understand.   

The whole learning process is hard, but fun, although this is only the start. Once you actually get a foothold in the language, and you can actually use it, then real the real fun starts.   

You Learn About More Than Just The Language

Language and culture are very much intertwined. If you learn one, you are will ultimately end up learning about the other.

Again, if you only exposure to language learning was in school it can seem like it is all very sterile, It’s just textbooks and grammar structures …sort of like maths. Which isn’t how languages work, they are alive and full of rich culture and if you learn a language you will get to enjoy this.

I actually started learning Japanese as I was interested in many aspects of their culture. I got to the point where I realised I was so interested in how they did things, that really to fully appreciate this I needed to know the language too and once that happened, it was like the Japanese culture floodgates really opened for me.    

You Can Enjoy The Culture

Learning the language will allow you to enjoy the culture so much more, which is exactly what I found after learning Japanese. The movies, TV show and music really came alive once I could understand it.

Learning a language to be able to enjoy things like books and Tv shows in their original form is exactly why you should be doing it. You might think just enjoying a translation is fine, but it’s just not the same.

Learning A Language Gives You Social Skills

A lot of people decide to learn a language for the social benefits it can bring. You will be able to make friends with people from all around the world, who it would have been totally impossible to talk to before.

However, it’s not just your social life that can increase; it can actually improve your overall social ability.

Having new friends from other countries with different cultures can really open your mind to the world. You can now get a really powerful insight to how they do things and an understanding of why.

Being able to speak the same language will give you more empathy towards these people. They are no longer just some strange society from a far away land; you can actually interact with them and find common ground.  Your ability to connect with strangers will increase, both in your native language and the one you are learning.

Language Learning Is Good For Your Health

An often overlooked benefit to learning a language is that it can be good for your health.

I think this is not really thought about as it can be hard to actually see the results, it’s not exactly like going to the gym where you can see the growth, but your mind is still a muscle and learning a language is great exercise for it.

Learning A Language Makes Your Brain Stronger

Your brain will actually get physically stronger when you learn a language. The whole process is exercise for your brain and just like working any other part of your body, doing more will make it stronger.  

When you learn something your brain builds a neural pathway between the new information and what you already know. Over time these pathways grow, which will physically strengthen the brain and make it stay healthier for longer. (This process is also how we build our memory).

Strengthening these pathways can actually be enough to delay the onset of degenerate brain diseases like dementia in older age, so it really can be beneficial to keep your brain learning as an adult.

(You can read more about –  Why Learning A Language Is Good For Your Brain)

Learning A Language Is Good For Your Mental Health

Learning a language can also be great for your mental health. I know in the beginning it might not seem that way as not being able to understand anything is stressful, but if you give it time you will start to notice the benefits.

You will find that you get an increase in your general confidence and a feeling of great achievement. 

When you actual see you are making progress it just makes you feel great, it genuinely puts a smile on my face.

Learning A Language Makes You Overall Smarter

All this “exercise” isn’t just good for your brains physical fitness, learning a language can actually make you smarter.

Learning a language will make you more efficient at learning in general. It will also increase your ability to memorise things as well as improve your logic and puzzle solving skills.

The more you study, the stronger and faster your brain will become at processing information and you can easily transfer this boost in ability to any other cognitive task. Your brain is just going to be better in various situations compared to someone who only speaks one language.

Learning A Language Gives You Career Options 

While many of us learn a language for fun, it still has the potential to better our careers.

Knowing a second language can really open up your job prospects. You can now do more jobs and you can do them in more countries. You can use your language skills to better your work situation at home or you can now travel overseas and work there.

It has also been found that in general, people who use a second language for work tend to get paid more than those who can only speak one language.

You must remember that knowing more than one language is a rare skill, and people will pay you well to be able to get access to this skill.

(You can more about – How To Get A Job With Your Second Language)

Conclusion

As you can see there are many reasons why you should learn a second language.

Really it comes down to you decide why you should do it, but I feel that no matter the reason, you will be rewarded with the many benefits I have discussed above.

Learning a language is tough task, but it really is worth putting the effort in.

(You can read more about –  The Extra Benefits Of Learning A Language)