Topic of the day: The importance of learning another language
I had this question in the past: why would I learn another language? It was too complicated, expensive, and you need to spend a lot of time on it… But the truth is that all the effort you put on learning a new language is actually an investment that you are making on yourself.
Our mind is very flexible and expandable, meaning that you’re able to learn new things constantly, although it’s quite common to see people just getting stuck in life and not finding motivation or relevance in continuous learning. I feel sorry for these fellows because they are missing the constant thrill of discovery, similar to what they experienced in the first years going to school, for example. Besides that, science proved that a brain that is continuously exercised throughout life will keep you healthier by the end of life, also avoiding undesired diseases such as Alzheimer. Like the old saying: a healthy mind for a healthy body.
Back to the topic of learning languages… It can greatly improve your overall perception of the world and increase your awareness of simple or complex things in your daily life.
When studying a new language you experience part of the history, culture and habits of different populations, which aggregates knowledge for your own life.
I’m lucky to have changed my mind when I was at the university, because learning English really changed my life. After that, I decided to study Spanish, which is close to my mother language (Portuguese) and I discovered so many interesting things about the Spanish-speaking countries in South America, as well as in Spain. Now I’m learning German, for two good reasons: I live in Germany and I like their culture, and of course it makes life much easier for routine things and to make friends, which is also a strong motivation.
The path is not so easy, and it takes time until you feel really comfortable with the new language, but the effort is definitely worth it, I can say from my own experience… The possibilities of meeting interesting people using this new language are endless, a really priceless experience.
Nowadays, there are many ways to learn a new language, the internet made a wide range of knowledge available to everybody (who has a connection), and blogs, Facebook pages, and smartphone applications, for example, are around to help you. Many apps such as Duolingo and Rosetta Stone helps millions of people to learn and improve new languages every day. Just keep in mind that frequency is needed if you want to improve fast into a new language. If you learn only few times a month, for sure it will take longer…
Find some time in your schedule to learn a new language, for sure it will broaden your horizons and help you also in other fields of life. Good luck!
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Thank you very much for reading and for the support!
