Benefits of Learning a New Language

[Ozanne]

Do you speak only one language? If so, it’s English – obviously, because you’re reading this. Do you know that English is the third most used language in the world behind Mandarin and Spanish? (Different statistics will interchange between English and Spanish depending on the stat and the year.)

Our communication is key to developing and maintaining social and business connections all over the world. Learning just one more language, opens up an opportunity to communicate with millions of more people. It makes travel much easier. It enables us to meet new people. It also looks great on a resume.

But for those looking for love and coming to the conclusion that the millions of people who already speak your language are nowhere out there to be found, broadening your communication skills with another language can open the door to meeting someone new.

Even if you live in a multicultural city or country, as I do – learning a new language sends a message to someone that you care enough about their culture to want to communicate with them and their friends and family.

Those who aren’t afraid of long distance love or want to move to another country can have this opportunity once they learn a new language. If you have a preference for someone Spanish-speaking, obviously learning Spanish gives you a chance to meet someone from any Spanish-speaking nation. You've just unlocked more doors to meet more people.

Learning a language is fun and can be relatively inexpensive if you enroll in a part-time course. While you’re at it, you’ll be meeting new people in a classroom setting. These are people who all share a common interest with you. Once you take an entry level course, start practicing by going to discussion boards and chatrooms online to start talking to native-speakers.

You never know if you end up speaking with someone who also wants to brush up on their English with you, making them want to talk to you, and looking forward to it.

In addition to new friends, and maybe a new love, learning a new language is also healthy for your brain. Studies have shown that learning a second language increases your brain’s size and development, improves your memory, and increases your mental flexibility.

What happens in the brain when you learn a language?

Anfangen ist leicht, Beharren eine Kunst!

:)

[krash2002]

The intellectual advantages of learning multiple languages is very vast. Though, I've noticed a huge benefit is the respect, and understanding from other cultures as you're visiting their country.
As one who likes to travel often, I've encountered quite a few other languages. Often times, you'll be prepared to know your surroundings enough to get by, and English speakers exist almost anywhere to a degree. However, the difference of the reaction from asking someone where a place is by speaking their language is completely different than speaking in English. Even if you can't speak it fluently or only know a few words. People take kindly to those who attempt their language even a little bit, and are more accamodating to help out.
I myself only speak English, some Spanish, French, and Mandarin. Though, I attempt to know the basics of any country that is not primarily English speaking common words. Such as bathroom, restaurant, food, water, thanks, my apologies, sorry, hello, good-bye, taxi, train, train station, hotel, and so forth. Just knowing about 30 or 40 words which isn't that bad at all. Can certainly help you get through another country, and earn some respect from the locals.

[cl_517]

I only speak Spanish and English! I can't last long talking in only one language, I have to mix them! -.- It's hard sometimes

[samba_samba]

you can make new friends on penpaland com and exchange language with them.

[mskay]

I speak 5 languages fluently and 3 basics one (just enough to get around) and a few Chinese dialects, and to be honest I can't last long speaking only one language. I tend to mix them up and I forgot that the other person I'm talking to doesn't understand one of the language which I mixed. I wish I don't have this problem, and it only happens when I'm talking to someone in real life. If it's over the internet I have no problem speaking only one language at a time.

[sp33d]

Most impressive :) loads of potential under the hood

[mskay]

I grew up with three languages, kinda mandatory. Got bored of it and decided to learn new ones. I'm learning Spanish, japanese and italian ahah I hope I don't give up soon 🙈🙉🙊@sp33d

[mskay]

@sp33d ^

[sp33d]

Japanese is suprisingly easy, the sentence construction is incredibly simple. You will have lots of fun studying all the kanji, though. I have been learning kanji for 4 years now, I know nearly a thousand kanji in my sleep. Trouble is, an average japanese is expected to know about 2000 kanji :D

[mskay]

I have been learning since May because I'm going on a camp to Japan in December. I still can't read nor write yet, because speaking is still sort of a problem for me :/ You made the language sound very easy tho! 🙊

[lemonlimetime]

I'm starting to learn Japanese and it's fun but hard at the same time. I know the first two alphabets (ひらがな、カタカナ) but the last alphabet is really hard because you need to know about 2000 characters 😅 it's a work in progress, but hey I'm getting there. Excellent take, as always ;)

[BurgundyClouds]

I speak fluent English, Russian and Latvian, some French and German, while currently learning Danish. Learning languages is so fun and also beneficial. Someday I want to learn some Spanish too. The worst part is when you are explaining something, but you remember a word in all other languages except the one you are currently using. :D

[QuestionMan]

I speak Russian, and English.
I know a little French but that's it.
Luckily both Russian and English are common languages. Russian is spoken in every former Soviet country and the ISS, while English is spoken pretty much everywhere as well as the ISS.

[Suddenvoice]

I speak Russian, English, Finnish and soon i will be learning Swedish in school.

[QuestionMan]

@Suddenvoice I'm guessing you're from Finland is that right?

[Suddenvoice]

Yup, parents moved to finland from russia and i've been living here for my whole life.

[QuestionMan]

@Suddenvoice I've always wanted to go to Finland. You guys have the best education system in the world and best social welfare programs.

[sp33d]

Learning a language isn't easy, therefore do not tell us as if it's effortless and just a fun time, enrolling in courses and such. I have been learning several languages for years now, I can say that at this stage it is easy, reading books is no problem because I am already fluent, not so in the beginning.

It requires devotion and determination, most of all one has to believe in the benefits of being able to converse in any given language = motivation to learn.

[Gerduxas]

I'm fluent in Lithuanian an English and am decent enough at German. I agree with all those points but sometimes my head is just a huge wreck and I begin talking to someone in the wrong language or intermingle some words from a different language lol

[Paris13]

I have been Learning Arabic, for I have had a husband out in Egypt and with This, he has Learned a lot More English from me, which is good where we can Teach One another, @Ozanne. xx

[LightsOff]

I'm already bilingual but I wish I also knew how to speak Italian. I think it's the most pretty European language.

[SilenRose]

I'm currently learning Japanese and Spanish. Once I've got a hang of those I'm going to learn Cantonese or Mandarin, and Arabic.

[DaniaMQ]

I speak Arabic ( my first language ), English and Spanish all fluently 😊 i tried to learn French but i gave up a bit sooner than i thought...😁😁

[abundantlyrich]

How many languages do you speak?

I'm learning a foreign language now... slow progress...

[tenofthepeaks]

apart from English, i know some French and German, but am better at Spanish.

Half learnt at uni, half-self taught. I want to be fluent by next year.

[XxbitemeXx]

Parlo un po' italiano