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Reasons for learning another language

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Why should I learn a new language?

There are many reasons why you should learn a new language. However, the only important one is the one that applies to you. Do you love travelling to South America, then Spanish is the way to go. If your partner is from Russia, it might be worth considering Russian.

Whichever the case, here you'll find a long list of reasons to help you make up your mind, and give you that extra push you need to get started.

Or maybe you just don't know which language to choose. The amount of languages out there make it a linguistic buffet, everything seems temping! Then, thinking about your real motives will help you make a decision.

The best way to keep your motivation high and not give up when you struggle with your new language or get past that boredom that seems to take over you when you open your books, is to know why you first decided to start learning it.

You could get a new find strength to keep going, or you may discover that your reasons just aren't cutting it for you anymore.

Work

Getting ahead in your wok life

Nowadays there are places where they won't even look at you CV unless you know one or two foreign languages.

But even if your field doesn't require knowing more than English, it will always put you in a better position than the rest of candidates to be able to offer that little extra that speaking a second language brings.

You could even end up making a living or a second income thanks to it if you become a teacher or a tutor.

Business Language resources on Amazon

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Relationships

People you know who speak the language

If there's someone in your life whose mother tongue is different than yours, there's no better way to strengthen the relationship than learning their language. You would be able to communicate in a completely different way and more easily.

Learning another language will also open up your possibilities for meeting new people, and who knows, maybe be make lifelong friends or even meeting your partner!

Travelling

Knowing the world

Travelling when you know the language spoken at your destination will completely change your experience.

You will be able to mingle with locals, order food without having to guess what you are getting or to point at the menu, go to the movies or the theatre and understand what's going on.

You can enjoy a trip without knowing the language, but you will enjoy it a lot more if you do.

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Linguistic attraction

Just liking the language

You learn the language basically because you just love it. The way it sounds, the way it is written, the way it flows. What other reason could you hope for?

The great things is that learning the language will act as its on motivation for you to keep on learning. That's as good as it gets really.

Mobility

Increase the possibilities of moving to another country

In short: the more language you know, the more places you could potentially live in.

Maybe, you've always dreamt of living in THAT country one day. Learning the local language could make the dream possible.

Even if you aren't planning on relocating, knowing a different language at least would make you have the possibility. And you never know what might happen, life surprises us sometimes.

Living abroad on Amazon

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Personal interests

Learning more and researching topics that interest you

There are many topics and subjects that are usually covered in one language, whether because their main figures spoke that language or because it was more highly developed in a particular country.

It is not uncommon for students of Philosophy to study German, and English is the lingua franca in science. Similar things could be said about most subjects.

The great thing about learning a new language because it will give you greater access to something you are interested about, is that you could learn it while doing your hobby.

Origins

Family roots with a language different to yours

Going back to your family roots to look for inspiration for a new language to learn is always a great idea.

You would be learning something that has a significance in your life and gives you a connexion with your past. You could be nosy and read some old correspondence, Or even reconnect with family you couldn't communicate with before.

Genealogy on Amazon

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Culture

Easing your way into a different society

When you learn a new language you have much more access to the culture of the countries were it is spoken.

No matter weather you prefer the classic of pop culture, a whole new world of literature, cinema, dancing, music and customs will open up to you as you develop your language abilities.

Love of languages

Expanding your linguistic collection

What a better reason to learn a new language than the thrill of just learning it?

When it comes to languages, definitely, the more the merrier. And, as your linguistic collection grows larger, each new language will become easier to learn.

Linguistics on Amazon

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Importance

Languages with lots of speakers

One reason to learn a language is because it is one of the big players, either internationally (English, Chinese, Spanish...) or in your area.

The good thing about going for one of these languages is that you will always be able to find resources: books, websites, teachers, people to talk to. And that is extremely important when learning a language.

Remembering what you knew

Freshening up a language you learn a while ago

You might have learnt a language when you were at school or from a family member when you were a child.

Going back to that language might be a good idea, as you already have a headstart and are familiar with the language.

Even if you think you don't remember anything, as you get into it, you will realise how many things you still know.

Books for false beginners on Amazon

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Transparency

A language that is similar to another one you already know

We call the similarity between languages transparency.

Learning a language that is similar to another one you already know is a great way to expand your repertory without having to work as much as you would with a completely different one.

The best way to do is is keeping with a linguistic family. Germanic is the closest for English speakers, though Romance is generally considered to be the easiest.

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By sxc.hu users (in order): YOdesigner, piovasco, bjearwicke, topfer, fjsrey, lusi, nkzs, andres_ol, donsimon, nlHarri, barunpatro, juliaf, biewoef.

What are your reasons for learning languages?

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albarinos

I do a lot of things, and I like a lot of things.
I am a qualified teacher. I guess the reason why I decided to go for that is the variety you get. O... more »

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