Many people think they are too old to start learning a second language, or that it's not important, but learning a second language can improve your career potential, add to your sense of well-being and promote world peace at any age.
Have you ever wished you could purr effortlessly in French, trill emphatically in Spanish, or wow a date by ordering the sushi in Japanese? Well, more and more native speakers of English are taking on the challenge of learning a second language with great success.
Admittedly, Americans are at a disadvantage because so few born in the United States have ever felt the need to learn a second language as the rest of the world has been busy learning English in order to compete with economic opportunities offered by English speakers. This has made our lives much easier in some respects, but has also created a kind of linguistic complacency in our society that hasn’t allowed us to explore the benefits of being multilingual. However, the changing linguistic landscape of the United States and the world may necessitate our acquisition of a second language in order for each of us to better enjoy our social sphere and workplace potential.
Expanding Professional Opportunities
Perhaps the most compelling reason for Americans to learn a second language is the practical edge it can give you in the workplace. From the service industry and education, to the corporate arena and retail, the ability to reach out through language both literally and figuratively is being seen as a valuable work skill in terms of public relations, human resource management and life experience. With so much at stake for employers in these areas, knowing or not knowing a second language could be a deal maker or breaker at the time of hire and promotion. One need not be fluent to qualify as a speaker of a second language, so it’s perfectly acceptable not to be a native speaker and compete. Having a working knowledge of the language and evidence of formal and ongoing study is proof enough of your skill level and commitment.
Self Improvement in the Global Age
No less important than a bigger paycheck, or greater status to our sense of well being is personal growth. If you are looking for a new pastime that can help you break out of the usual patterns and shake up the status quo of your every-week routine, a language course can change your life by exposing you to different music, food, and travel destinations. Studying a foreign language uses our imagination and forces us to examine language, including the way we speak English, by comparing vocabulary and grammatical structures. Often times, this indirectly improves our own English usage in writing and speech as our awareness of language at large grows. Language learning is social by necessity, and any language course worth its weight in dictionaries should dedicate ample class time to one on one conversation practice, so meeting new people and widening your social circle is a built in feature. There is something adventurous and sophisticated about learning and speaking a foreign language, and when others discover this about you, there is always a look of surprise and admiration that follows.
Extending the World Community
If you have ever traveled abroad, or been the only American in a group of people from another country, you know how good it feels to meet a friendly native who is willing to connect with you by venturing a few words of interest in English. Now, imagine how that connection would grow if you answered back in their language. When you learn a second language, you are investing in the culture of others with your time and interest, and that is what speakers of other languages feel when you reach out to them in their mother tongue, albeit with the basics. You will have essentially communicated to them that you are willing to meet them, and the world, half way. This gesture helps negate the notion that Americans and others from the English speaking world are arrogant and ignorant by demonstrating the opposite, and it generates good will and a greater sense of community through one-on-one communication.
Tips for First Timers
Many people who attempt to learn a second language give up too soon. You didn’t learn English in three months, and it will take time to feel a command over the second language you choose to learn. Maybe you feel too old, or too foolish, and use those as excuses to quit. While being reduced to the conversational level of a three year old can feel humbling, be certain that this stage will pass. It is a necessary step to be able to move on to more sophisticated forms. Another popular myth is that after a certain age, learning a second language is impossible. Children do acquire language, like many things, more easily than adults, but this is partly because they are focused on the business of living and doing rather than their own self consciousness. Realize that what you are doing takes a lot of courage and will have a great payoff, so feeling like a hard-headed simpleton because you are not fluent after the third class is just part of the process, and in the end just puts unrealistic expectations on yourself. Think of it as a sport, or musical instrument, and remember that any level of virtuosity requires practice. Just knowing the basics can take you far on your travels and establish long lasting friendships.
Getting Started
This endeavor requires no equipment besides a good bilingual dictionary, the assigned class text, and your undivided attention during each class meeting. An excellent place to start is by looking at the non-credit or community courses available through your community college or local recreation center. This is usually where you find the most affordable classes that have convenient schedules on evenings and weekends. While intensive, short-term courses are offered by many private schools, these tend to be pricier and may not be economically viable for long term study. The more expensive private courses often promise fast results in a short span of time. Intensive courses can be very helpful for individuals that have specific language goals for, let’s say, a fast approaching trip or job, but may not be practical for the beginner that just wants to get her feet wet. Regular practice of at least two sessions a week over an extended period of time has been shown to produce more effective results with adult learners of a second language. Note that the more exotic a language you choose, the more expensive and difficult to locate the class may be. For the more adventurous learner, there are many reputable immersion courses available that offer on-site classes in a foreign country where the language is spoken. Be sure to get a recommendation from a professional in the field if you choose to study abroad.
Courses in Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Italian and many other languages are readily available for beginners, or students that are revisiting a language they studied long ago. Sign up for a course this next term and get started on a journey of life learning that is fun, profitable and globally relevant. ¡Buena suerte!