Learning New Languages

Written By Leland Lewis

There are many different topics to learn in our classes and one that can bring with it a wealth of opportunities is language courses. Speaking an entirely new language opens up so many doors and relationships for us. From studying abroad to making new friends, there are a lot of things that languages can provide. Today we want to look at a few reasons why this is worth doing.

Traveling Is Easier

A great reason to pick up a new language is that it makes traveling to different countries much easier and enjoyable as a result. Chances are there's somewhere in the world that may interest you and we might not be initially familiar with the language spoken there. Not only does knowing the language itself make communication much more feasible, but it also opens up new opportunities when getting to know others. Being able to converse with others can help us find our way around places and also have a better grasp on the area. It also helps us make friends during our travels and gives us a better appreciation for culture as well.

“A great reason to pick up a new language is that it makes traveling to different countries much easier and enjoyable as a result.”

Increased Empathy

We're all people at the end of the day and each of us has different things from our culture that help make it unique. Given that language is one of the primary means of how we interact with one another, having an increased understanding of it can help pave the way toward empathy. Being exposed to different cultures helps us better comprehend the subtle things that make it what it is. It encourages open-mindedness since we're stepping outside of what we know in an effort to see what life is like for others. It teaches us how to be more inclusive and more accepting of other thoughts and ideas through linguistics. Taking the time to learn a language demonstrates an inherent respect for cultures outside of our own because it shows that we're interested and want to learn more about how the world works.

“It encourages open-mindedness since we're stepping outside of what we know in an effort to see what life is like for others.”

Promoting Lifelong Learning

One of the main goals that school aims for is ensuring that students have the tools and desire to be lifelong learners outside of the classroom. Language is by far one of the best examples of this since it's something we can always improve on. To truly learn a language we need to dedicate time to it consistently so that it stays fresh in our mind. It's a skill and it takes time to develop. Being able to practice the languages we learn with others who are fluent can help immensely in terms of improvement. Traveling to new places is something we'll have more time and money for later in life which is all the more reason why it's good to start early when learning a language. Setting aside a bit of free time can eventually pay off when we speak with others who are well-versed in what we've been learning. Language gives us the chance to understand one another which can provide us with new experiences.

Leland Lewis
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