In this competitive day and age, learning a new language can often be seen as necessary for survival. The world may be separated geographically, but all thanks to technology, it’s now more connected than ever. This means that the workforce is global. There is a mix of different languages and cultures everywhere, so it helps you thrive even more when you know one more language other than your own.

When it comes to other facets in life, the ease of global travel has also made once-far-flung destinations reachable. Among all other hobbies that many may consider starting with, there’s also merit in learning a new language. This doesn’t mean being perfect with it but at least start with the basics of comprehension and conversation. After all, there’s always room to learn something new.

In addition to English, there are many promising benefits that you can gain from learning a foreign language. These include:

It advances your career

First, you may have many opportunities for your career to advance when you know a foreign language. When your company expands to another country, the priority of who the upper management will send to that new location and deal with global operations are those employees who can communicate well in that place’s language. You become an invaluable asset to the company. They’ll no longer need to hire an interpreter as you can handle yourself well with the country’s locals.

Especially now that competition in the employment market is so intense, you’ll want to give yourself that competitive advantage. More so, if you’re the type of person who loves a good adventure. You can be one step closer to working overseas when you know a foreign language.

If you want to apply for a new company overseas, sometimes it’s required that you know how to converse in their local language. Or, when you arrive there, you’ll be asked to take onsite foreign classes or tutorials from online schools such as Preply.com or other learning hubs. It’s a significant advantage for you when you already inherently meet that requirement, and you’ll find your foreign language classes easier.

It exercises your brain

For the brain to continue functioning well, even in your declining years, it’s vital to give it good exercise. This means presenting it with new and challenging opportunities for learning and growth. Don’t make your brain stay still. Instead, seek new ways to keep your brain active.

Mainly, when your job is centered on doing routine tasks, it’s often unavoidable that your brain is also just moving in a menial circle. This isn’t going to be healthy for you.

Apart from reading, you can give your brain a new challenge by learning a new language. There’s no denying that doing this will be a difficult pursuit. It’s not going to be easy, particularly when it comes to mastering grammar and pronunciation.

When you do this, you’re able to loosen up and fix whatever rusty screws your brain may have already developed. This is very important so that your brain stays sharp for many years to come. Along that line, there are many other ways alongside learning a new language that you can exercise your brain, to wit:

• Stop multitasking so you can work on improving your concentration.
• Be positive with yourself as these mental affirmations can help improve your cognitive proficiency.
• Try something different such as traveling to new places or talking to new people.

It may boost your memory

Together with exercising your brain, learning a new language also helps to improve your memory. Take note that when you do this, it’s more than just repetition and memorization. You can’t learn a new language quickly by taking that route.

You need to get a good grasp of the language through comprehension, grammar, and even body language. This can help make you more mentally alert.

For instance, when conversing with foreign individuals, you may already know the direct translation of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in their language. But, by observing their body language whenever they speak, you may be able to tell that their ‘yes’ means ‘yes, of course!’ with certainty or when they are unsure of their thoughts.

It enables you to have better understanding of other cultures

A better understanding of other cultures is now more critical than it has ever been in the past. Because of more connectivity, the world has gotten smaller. This also means that you’ll most likely find yourself dealing with people coming from different cultures and languages in the same office. Rather than using your differences to create a barrier, break down these walls and foster a better understanding of each other instead. Not only are you able to create a more harmonious work environment, but you’re also improving your productivity.

Who knows, you may even end up marrying someone from overseas.

That said, there’s no better way to thoroughly soak yourself up with a new culture than to interact with them appropriately. This entails talking. Learning their language is the ticket for you to have that seamless interaction, mainly when English isn’t their first language.

Once you begin to understand and appreciate each other’s culture, you’ll find so much beauty in it as well. The differences in culture can finally no longer be used to divide people whether in school, work, or family relationships.

It may make you a better multi-tasker

While you may want to avoid multitasking all the time, there are instances when this is just impossible not to do, especially on the days when there seems to be not enough time to complete all the work that needs to be done. But it’s also important to note that this is easier said than done. Multitasking is a mental skill; otherwise, if you attempt to do it when you’re unconfident, you may only end up even more confused than if you did the tasks individually instead.

Learning a new language may help you become a multi-tasker. This has to do with problem-solving. When you spend time studying a new language, you’re also essentially practicing your critical-thinking skills. You’re learning how to understand and analyze words and that, in itself, is how you practice with these skills.

It improves your capacity to connect with others

One of the main factors that contribute to a relationship disconnect is lack of communication. Talking is something that most people naturally know how to do, but not everyone knows how to practice a good conversation.

When you learn how to understand and communicate with others, particularly the minority in your workplace or locality (as in foreigners), you’re giving them a beautiful gift. Understanding others, showing compassion, and showing empathy are essential soft skills to have, no matter the workplace you belong to. They know that they’ve got a friend in you, simply because you understand them.

Imagine being in that situation yourself where you’re the minority. You’ve just been moved to another country, and everyone else speaks the local language but you. It can feel alienating for you. You may even feel isolated. Then, suddenly, there’s that one co-worker who knows how to speak your language! Instantly, you’re touched by this, and your chest feels significantly lighter.

That’s the power that connectivity and communication skills can bring. So, you can provide that bridge for better connectivity with others when you know a new language. Perhaps, you may even make them happier and less homesick because now, they’ve found themselves a friend in you.

It can encourage creativity

When you immerse yourself in learning a new language, you’re able to engross yourself in another culture. The beauty with this is that your creativity may also be enhanced. You’re no longer just limited by the comforts of what you know, but you also now have new practices to bring to the table based on what you learned from another culture.

Remember that language is more than just spoken words. It’s also about body language, expressions, practices, and tradition. When you expose yourself to these new practices, you’re able to expand your horizon. You’re not just limiting your self-expression based on what you already know and what you’ve got accustomed to.

For instance, in some places like the USA, whistling at sports events is a good thing. But, in other countries like Italy, it’s a sign of disapproval. When you understand these underlying differences in culture, you learn how to practice other creative means of communication that won’t be offensive to the person you’re talking to.

Conclusion

Simply looking for a new hobby, learning something new, or challenging your mind, or seeking out new experiences, or moving overseas, are just some of the many reasons to learn a new language. Don’t limit yourself to what you know now, especially when you intend to travel and see the world more often. With the list above, you’ll find that learning a new language brings in so many advantages in your life – beyond just the obvious: being able to speak in someone else’s tongue. Give yourself that gift of new learning this year by selecting a new language to study.

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