Language is a powerful bridge that connects people. We use it to express our thoughts and feelings for each other. So more than English, and your very own native tongue, how cool it is to know another foreign language?
Well, it certainly widens your array of lifetime opportunities, gives you awesome perks and turns you an equally awesome person. Not so convinced yet? Let me tell you 7 awesome reasons why you should learn a foreign language.
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1. Learn a new culture
And appreciate it. This is my favorite. Learning a new culture excites me because it’s like entering a whole new world and getting out of what is familiar and ordinary. Being able to fully immerse yourself in learning a foreign language offers a whole new perspective on different literature, beliefs, arts, history, cuisine, customs, and many other things that a distinct culture has and offers. Being able to explore and understand all these in different languages does not only enrich yourself with the new discoveries you are just about to have but also enables you to truly appreciate the vast world you’re in.
2. Maximize your travel experience
If you get to travel often or if you have already opted to go nomad at this point of your life, learning a foreign language can make you maximize your travel experience more than just walking to the best tourist spots, dining in a cozy restaurant, or taking your best shots; because if you’re really interested in fully submerging yourself into the place, I say, you must talk to its people. Even if these are just short and simple conversational phrases, they are already useful to allow you to build rapport and connection with the locals. More than getting the right direction because you are able to ask the right question, you’ll never know how being able to speak to them can land you awesome freebies or life-long relationships. That’s how magical language is!
3. Get a legit bragging right
Impress people around you. Whether you aim for it or not, being able to speak another language boosts your confidence three times. According to studies, bilinguals are proven to be more confident. I am not implying that you should be out, loud, and proud for being bilingual or multilingual, all I am saying is this is how extra awesome you can be when you know another language apart from your own. How convenient will it be for you and your friends, if you can properly order Crème brûlée, Crepes, Croissant, and Croquembouche for dessert? You’ll surely get compliments for having this special skill. See that? It’s like getting an extra life point, an extra awesome life point for that matter!
4. Mark up your value
This is a long-term self-investment. Whether locally or abroad, having the ability to speak, to read, or to write in a foreign language increases your employment opportunities. This marks up your credentials and promises greener pasture in the future. You can go ahead and search on how advantageous it is to if you know a different language, other than your own and English, in local corporate industries today. You can certainly become a company asset. Even when you’re planning to work abroad, this can be a pass to easily get it. So go ahead mark up your value and have a brighter future ahead of you.
5. Exercise your brain cells
According to researches, learning a new language sharpens our cognitive and life skills. This requires intensive brain activity, thus make your brain cells more productive. So if you feel like you’ve been stagnant for a long while, and looking for a mental challenge, this is just perfect for you. You might initially struggle in learning new vocabularies, pronouncing words, or comprehending new and unfamiliar thoughts, but you’ll surely get by and will have awesome time learning.
6. Become open-minded
“A different language is a different vision of life” – Federico Fellini, Film Director
Learning a new language allows you to have another vision of the world. As you get out of the box of what you know, you allow yourself to be immersed with the things that you do not know and you must know. Isn’t it priceless to open yourself with a whole new perspective and understand individuals from a completely different culture, background, and tradition from you? I must say, it’s refreshing, and an absolute eye-opener.
7. Widen your social circle
“The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.” – Henry Boye, author
How awesome it is to be able to relate yourself with someone who was born and raised half of the globe apart from you? This is where the most fun part comes in when you get to befriend people. This is where language fulfills its purpose when you’re able to connect with people using an entirely different language you didn’t grow up using. Learning a new language can bring you amazing people in your life, with which you can build life-long friendships or lifetime romantic relationships – that we’ll never know!
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