Many people around the world are looking to learn new languages, and they are turning to a range of tools to do so. Stats show that learning new languages is one of the most consistent New Year's resolutions among people, many of whom pursue this using different platforms and methods.
While learning a whole new language is an achievement in itself, it is worth exploring the different ways that you learn about yourself as well. Many who have learned languages will attest that it is a truly transformative process and can change your life in the following ways:
Accessing New Platforms and Media
When you learn a new language, you essentially unlock a whole new world of content and platforms that would have previously been shut out to you. For example, learning a particular language means that you can access online gaming platforms in that language. This is especially beneficial because such platforms in other languages can have features that stand out that you otherwise wouldn't have heard of. And by accessing these features, you might realize that there are certain online games or even platforms that you prefer. This itself is one reason to learn any language.
Then there is the content itself. When you learn your particular language, you can begin to access songs, films, social media posts, and other such content within it. This means that you may find your new favourite TV show or connect with content creators around the world whose language you now understand.
Understanding Cultural Norms
Often, when you're learning a language, you also learn the different cultural norms that it is associated with. Learning Japanese, for example, means that you also learn about the honorific cultures and greetings within it. This not only expands your view of the world but could teach you in a new way to engage with it. You might realize that certain cultural norms in other languages are compatible with your worldview or your specific way of life. As such, you can find your life transformed by the learning of the language.
Unlocking New Experiences
For many people, a hindrance to travelling or thoroughly enjoying their travel experiences is the language barrier. But once you can speak a language, you unlock a whole world of experiences. You may travel to a different country and easily engage with the locals. This means you can go wherever you want, speak to whomever you like, and then enjoy yourself without restriction. You can also find yourself making friends online with people who speak that language. This, in turn, can lead to many life adventures, friendships, and even romantic connections. Learning languages means that your experiences are less limited, and this can teach you a great deal about yourself and others.
Boosting Confidence
Studies show that when a person speaks multiple languages, they see a boost in confidence. First, there's the sense of personal achievement of having learned the language, especially if you have to overcome certain hurdles to do so. You also know instinctively that you can engage with a variety of environments because you can speak to the people. All these mean that you will likely navigate the world with much more confidence and self-belief, and this is a huge benefit for anyone.
Developing Additional Skills
Anyone who has learned a new language will tell you that learning the language is not the complete story. As part of the process, you'll develop better composition and comprehension skills, learn to read specific social cues, and develop particular cognitive abilities that can be applied in other aspects of your life.
This means that you can go on to learn other skills and discover even more about yourself and your talents. Whether this is for school, your professional life, or simply for enjoyment, you reap numerous benefits.
Conclusion
If you ever wondered about the benefits of learning a new language, consider some of the points we've mentioned. By learning a new language, you can learn so much more about yourself. There is a whole world of media, platforms, people, experiences, and much more that you can unlock by learning a new language. As such, you should look at language learning as not just an individual endeavour but as a step towards future possibilities.