There are plenty of reasons to think of for not wanting to start learning a new language. It takes time. You're already too busy. You've long since finished studying. You already speak two languages and lack a knack for languages. You'd rather go on a relaxing vacation. And what do you actually gain from it? Well, plenty. We found 6 very good reasons to actually want to learn a new language after all.
Learning a new language (and with it, a new culture) is understandably a significant advantage for your CV in this era of multinationals and globalization. Multinationals largely rely on people who speak at least two languages, preferably more. Recent studies even show that multilingual individuals have an even greater edge in the job market than previously assumed (Kortromin; 2017). Speaking one or two additional languages makes someone the ideal candidate for business travel and allows for location-independent work (both in employment and as a freelancer). Even in smaller companies, knowing a foreign language will set you apart from other applicants. It indicates diligence, eagerness to learn, and curiosity.
You may have experienced meeting a group of locals during a trip or vacation, having a great time, but feeling left out of the conversation when they accidentally switched from English to their native language. Or perhaps you met someone from abroad whom you wanted to get to know better, but realized that your relationship remained superficial because you didn't speak each other's language. By learning a new language, you essentially expand the range of people with whom you can build deep friendships, without stumbling in communication. Of course, it's impossible to master every language just to form deep connections with more people. But if there's one foreign person in your life you truly want to know better, or one culture you wish to understand, learning the native language is the way to go.
Where scientists in the early twentieth century sometimes thought that learning a new language could be a barrier to proficiency in the mother tongue, the consensus on this has completely shifted in the opposite direction after recent research. The fact that multilinguals always have multiple language systems 'on' in the brain is now seen as a blessing rather than a handicap. This is because your brain is continuously trained to make the right choice from a range of languages and words, thereby unconsciously training your cognitive skills. Something that proves useful in practice: research shows that multilinguals are better at planning, solving problems adequately, and multitasking (Prior & McWhinney, 2010). Additionally, it has been shown that age-related memory loss is less common among people who speak multiple languages (Marian & Shook; 2012).
Just as you get to know people better when you speak their native language, the same goes for other cultures. Do you have a favorite vacation spot that you visit frequently? Or foreign roots you want to learn more about? Then it's best to start by learning the language. When you speak the native language somewhere, you blend better with the crowd, you’ll never fall victim to tourist traps again, and you build a deeper relationship with market vendors, bakers, greengrocers, and the residents of your favorite holiday village. Additionally, you can now truly appreciate national media and art forms. Have you ever absorbed Spanish telenovelas, Bollywood films, South African rap, or Japanese manga comics in the original language? Once you get used to this, you'll notice how many nuances and jokes normally get lost in translation.
Did you know that when you learn a new language and culture, you learn just as much about your own culture? Think of your culture as a house. It's quite difficult to find something in a house if you're continuously inside it and have never truly been in another house. You see the walls from the inside and the interior, but you actually have no idea what it looks like from the outside or what kind of roof it has. What is the bigger picture? Language and culture are strongly connected, especially when you learn a language through a language trip. You immerse yourself in a new culture and might even feel comfortable there. This gives you a clear view of your own culture. Many people grow old without ever really reflecting on the universal norms and values they grew up with and took for granted. If you temporarily step out of your own web of truths by immersing yourself in a new culture, you are likely to view your own rules of conduct and the things you consider 'normal' from a completely different perspective. You will begin to see things you greatly appreciate within your culture, but also things you believe should change.
Do you know the fear of asking foreigners something in their native language with your limited language skills? Most people prefer not to do this because what if you come across as stupid, pronounce something very strange, or if the people in question have no idea what you're trying to convey. Strange fear, because how do you perceive it if you turn it around? If a foreigner comes up to you to ask you something in your own language, are you inclined to laugh at them? Or are you more impressed by the fact that they have the courage to ask you something in an imperfect way, hesitantly and stutteringly? Probably the latter (and otherwise, you're a fool). Research shows that people with more self-confidence learn a new language faster and conversely, learning a new language can give people more self-confidence {Gardner, Tremblay & Masgoret; 2011). Not surprising when you consider that you learn a language best by going out on the street from day one in the country itself to talk to locals. Quite scary, but once you notice that you're actually doing quite well, your self-confidence gets a significant boost. There's a good chance that this will have a contagious effect on other aspects of your life. Ever aspired to become a photographer? Or to run a marathon or maybe become an artist? Anything is possible.
Learning a language abroad is therefore not only an investment in your language skills but also in yourself. Whether you choose to learn Spanish in sun-drenched Spain, pick up English in vibrant Malta, immerse yourself in la dolce vita while learning Italian in Italy, learn French in charming France, or decide to learn English in classic England—you are guaranteed to return a richer person. With a backpack full of new experiences, international friendships, and of course, a substantial dose of language knowledge. When will you set off?
