Ever wanted to learn a new language? Ever thought you were too old to learn a new language? Don’t have enough time to learn a new language? Well, you absolutely can learn a new language in just a few minutes a day. Don’t let that morning drive, walk, or ride to work be wasted time any longer. Why not put that time to good use? In this article, we look at just how easy it is to take on another language, and why we should.
Brain food
Most people think that they are too old to learn a new language, and while it is true that it’s easier to learn a language as a child, there’s just no cut-off point. Learning a new language is just like learning any other skill. Our brains are designed to be constantly learning, otherwise, there would be no pursuit of knowledge and no scientists making the world a better place. Studies have shown that those who are bilingual (can fluently speak two languages) have better mental health into their later years of life.
What’s your learning style?
Children have the ability to learn equally well through vision, hearing, feeling, and tasting. Adults lose this over the years and lean towards vision or hearing as a preferred medium for learning. Knowing which style is preferred can help in making the decision of which training medium will work best.
What to learn?
This is a no-brainer for those who will be traveling to specific countries. For those who just want to learn a new language for the sake of it, pick something with a rich culture or good food that certain aspects can be easily incorporated into daily life. Even labeling everyday items in the home to the new language is a great way to get the mind on board for these studies. It’s pointless trying to pick a language that is “easy” to learn. All languages come with complexity and none are more difficult than another if the fundamental basics are taught correctly.
How to learn
Here’s the best part. All that is needed is a phone and earphones. The need for expensive’ how to’ discs and one on one tutoring is a thing of the past. There are incredible apps that can be used. Some are free and some have a small monthly payment. Download as many as possible and try them all out to see which one works best. Be vigilant about using the app every day. It takes an average of 30 to 45 days of repetition for something to become a habit, so set a reminder if need be for the first month. The commute to work is the best time to learn a new language. It doesn’t interfere with any other activities or takes time away from family. Some people will tell us to listen while we sleep, this is simply not true and there are no scientific studies to back up this theory.
Learning a new language is fun and exciting at first, but it can start to feel a bit stagnant over time, especially if there is no one to share the language with. Signing up to a group where others are learning the same language is a great way to meet new people and put our newfound vocabulary to good use.
