Knowing a second language has it's benefits and the importance of learning a second language is vastly underestimated.
The importance of learning a second language is greater today than ever. As the world keeps shrinking with greater advances in communications technology and modes of travel, people are moving around both physically and in cyberspace at an ever-increasing rate. Immigration and tourism are growing rapidly in many countries. You may live in a country with one "official" language but chances are that many other languages will be spoken in that country.
But how do you set about learning a foreign language?
Here are some tips.
1. Make sure you enjoy it. Make it fun. It will make the learning process easier for your brain.
2. Don't get stressed out if you can't remember words or phrases. Slowly it will all begin to fall into place.
3. Allocate enough time to study. Promise yourself you will study for "x" hours per week. If you are a student, or you work, don't put too much pressure on yourself by thinking you will be able to study more than you actually find comfortable. This will be counter productive because you won't enjoy it and you will become stressed (see points 1 and 2 above)
4. Learn with someone. It will be easier, and you will each have a "practice partner"
If you live in an area where your next door neighbors' primary language is not your own, wouldn't it be nice to be able to speak their language also? You can get to know them on a more personal basis, get invited to more parties and more easily ask for help if you need it. Of course, if you don't care to talk to your neighbors or you live in an area where everyone speaks the same language, this would not apply. But what if you are the type of person who likes to spend a lot of time on-line? The Internet brings the world to your desktop! Wouldn't it be nice to be able to chat with someone on the other side of the world in their own language?
If you are a single man or woman looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right, why limit yourself to only those who speak your own language? The perfect one for you may speak a different language! Many relationships like this are made but are problematic because of the lack of communications. Having a good knowledge of the other's primary language is a tremendous help.
If you own a business or work in sales, the importance of learning a second language should be evident. Knowing another language allows you to develop international business contacts, prepare advertising targeted to markets that speak another language or do sales work in neighborhoods with mixed languages. Expanding your market is one of the best ways to increase business, so why not learn the language of the market you are interested in? You have probably read stories of advertising screw ups where a product name or advertising copy did not translate well. You can prevent this type of thing from happening by learning the language.
The importance of learning a second language for business opportunities goes for employment opportunities as well. Having at least one other language on your resume is a big plus. It means that you are more valuable to the employer because you can help with more customers, deal with more business contacts or help prepare more targeted advertising.
Try and work out how you would say everyday occurrences in the new language. For example, you have to phone and ask for an appointment at the doctors. When finished, try and work out how you would have said it in the second language you are learning. Find out, write it down, then teach your practice buddy. Teaching is the best way to learn.
Second language benefits are numerous.
