Learning a Second Language

I’m occasionally inclined to learn a second language – wouldn’t multilingualism be fun? Sure, but what’s the point? Aren’t I getting too old? And who has the time?

What’s the point?

Continued learning has mental, emotional and social benefits. Learning another language can help keep our brains receptive and agile, be a regular outlet and source of pride, and can enhance our social lives, especially if you live in a culturally diverse environment.

“We have strong evidence today that studying a foreign language has a ripple effect, helping to improve student performance in other subjects.” – Richard Riley, U.S. Secretary of Education under Bill Clinton

And as long as you aren’t planning to learn Sentinelese, learning a foreign language can greatly enhance your vacation experience.

From Vistawide:
1. To increase global understanding
2. To improve employment potential
3. To increase native language ability
4. To sharpen cognitive and life skills
5. To improve chances of entry into college or graduate school
6. To appreciate international literature, music, and film
7. To make travel more feasible and enjoyable
8. To expand study abroad options
9. To increase understanding of oneself and one’s own culture
10. To make lifelong friends

Aren’t I getting too old?

From Ezine:
“Adults are generally able to concentrate for longer periods of time. They aren’t distracted by friends wanting to play football or thinking about what they want for Christmas next year. Mature learners also have their own learning strategy. They know what works for them and are able to plan their studies accordingly.”

Who has the time?

Let’s start by assuming you don’t spend too much time watching TV, shopping, pampering yourself, or consuming alcohol. There’s still ample opportunity for better time use, time saving, and multi-tasking. I should write a blog entry on this. If all else fails, you could always sleep less.

All kidding aside, learning a language does not take as long as you may think and depends entirely on identifying your goals (as usual) and developing an efficient approach. If your goal is to be able to understand the spoken word, listen to pop-music and watch foreign films with sub-titles. If your goal is to be conversationally fluent, get a pen pal and attempt conversations with foreigners at every opportunity, or ideally, take an extended vacation and immerse yourself in the culture. If your goal is to be able to read or write, you needn’t leave the sanctity of your own home. Just use the endless online resources, read poems and essays and books, and starting writing your own.

And finally, I have a bit of advice regardless of your language goals:
1. Perfect practice makes perfect. Have fun but take your practice time seriously. Focus.
2. Frequency and Repetition: Practice every day, for a short time, don’t burn out.
3. Learn the most used words first!
4. Learn words specific to your interests to keep learning fun and useful.
5. Deconstruct the language and pick a reasonable goal.

Happy learning!