7 reasons why you really need to learn a foreign language this year

Two months ago, I was sitting at a tiny beach shack in Gokarna, when I happened to find that rarest breed of person: someone else who was reading the same book as I was- One Hundred Years of Solitude. The only difference was, my copy was in English and he was reading in the original Spanish.

When he noticed, he waved to catch my eye and pointed at the cover of his book. I went up to him and, for a minute or so, exchanged our copies and admired the other one’s book. He gesticulated excitedly to me. I smiled and nodded while wishing desperately for a translator, a Spanish-English Dictionary, or a miracle where I would bump my head and suddenly his words would start making sense to me. Unfortunately, none of these things came to my rescue. We finished by waving again and went back to our respective tables, with a missed conversation lingering the air.

Since then, I’ve reflected on how many things we miss out on when we haven’t learnt a foreign language. In this case, I simply lost the chance to have an interesting conversation but, there are several other benefits to learning to communicate in a foreign language which make it a must-do pursuit for everyone. Read on to know why learning a foreign language needs to be on your to-do list this year:

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Your resume gets that much-needed edge

It’s true. In a world where companies are increasingly expanding and doing more and more business globally, when employers have to choose between two candidates with the same skill-set and experience, they generally prefer the person who knows at least one foreign language. And, of course it improves your chances of getting that overseas job you’ve always dreamed of!

You get over your fear of looking stupid

I once went for a student exchange program to a small French colony near Mauritius. And, because it was my first ever trip outside the country, I was more terrified than excited, and my biggest fear was that I’d end up making a fool of myself. As it turned out, I did mix up my French verbs and had my hosts in fits of laughter for a couple of days. But, guess what? The world didn’t end, I wasn’t labelled a ‘fool’, and my faltering French actually served as an ice-breaker in the situation!

Ultimately, the fact that we could laugh it off on the first day meant that I soon picked up the language faster. And, when my new friends saw that I was serious about learning, they were as considerate as possible when correcting my mistakes and teaching me new words.

Bottom line: once you get over your inhibitions, you’ll not only learn faster, but also get more confident about learning anything new!

When you travel, you’re not just ‘a tourist’ anymore

Trust me on this. Whether you’re visiting a museum, a restaurant, or just walking down the bazaars, knowing the local language has a lot of benefits. Tourist guides don’t try to fleece you, souvenir shops quote the ‘local’ rate, and, taxi drivers stick to the correct routes. But that’s not it.

From relating the history behind a particular piece of art or music, to directing you to the best eateries in town, to even inviting you for dinner, striking up a conversation with the locals can be one of the most rewarding things you can do while travelling, especially if you want to get off the beaten track and explore the place on your own.

You also learn to be more sensitive of cultural differences

Did you know, in Japan, it’s considered rude to say ‘no’? So, if you’re in a business meeting, Japanese professionals will subtly direct the conversation to a different direction than saying ‘no’ outright.

Learning a foreign language can open a whole new world. With language, you also learn more about a new culture, religious practises, food habits, and a host of local customs. Not only will you become more open-minded, you’ll also find it useful in your professional life!

You don’t get ‘lost in translation’

If you’ve ever watched Punjabi Spiderman on YouTube, you know what I’m talking about. Similarly, when it comes to films or books in foreign languages, more often than not you can’t fully appreciate the work, because of mediocre translations, or because there’s no way to communicate the same nuances and subtleties in another language.

From films and books to K-Pop, cartoons, and video games, try experiencing these in their original language, and see how you begin to enjoy them better!

You boost your brain power

It turns out that there are several benefits to learning multiple languages- not the least of which is, it improves your memory. When you memorise new grammar rules, and vocabulary lists, you’re exercising your mental muscles, which helps you remember things better, overall. However, studies have also shown that this cerebral exercise can actually reduce the risk of getting alzheimer’s or dementia!

You get to have the most interesting conversations

And, maybe even develop lifelong friendships with some of these people. I missed out on what might have been a fascinating conversation. But, I don’t plan on making the same mistake again. After all, finding people who share the same interests isn’t easy at your 9-5 desk job. So, whether you want to discuss poetry and art, or talk about your favourite movies or music, learning to communicate in a new language is one way to broaden your horizons and develop those new friendships.

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So, whether you want to polish your resume, travel the world, or simply understand that amazing French movie better, there’s no better time to start learning a new language than the present. After all, you never know when you’re going to need it!

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