Have you ever tried learning a second language? It’s not surprising if you haven’t. Most people who grew up speaking English don’t really seem all that interested in learning an entirely new way of communicating unless they’re compelled to do it.
If you’ve ever thought about it, allow me to encourage you to really give it a go. Learning a new language involves more than memorizing a vocabulary or getting acquainted with a new set of grammar rules. In fact, learning a second language can change your entire thought process, sharpen your wits and improve your overall communication skills. It will change the way you look at the English language and probably increase your appreciation of it.
Learning a new language isn’t easy. It does get easier, though, when you’re immersed in a culture that speaks the language you are trying to learn. If not, you’ll have to be a little more creative, apart from diligently taking your lessons and completing your courses.
When I first learned Spanish, having come from a native English background, I had a painfully hard time. I studied it as a hobby (just something I wanted to try), using an interactive software to learn language that I bought from a website.
I was lucky, though, because I knew folks in school who spoke Spanish, with whom I was able practice my speaking skills, even learning a trick or two. Additionally, I ramped it up on my end. I listened to Spanish radio stations, singing along as well as trying to understand what the lyrics meant. I found Spanish-language magazines like Latina and tried to read them best as I could. It took me no more than a year to become a well-versed Spanish speaker although my writing (even to this day) still begs for a lot more work.
What surprised me more, though, was how much learning that second language helped me. While I started it as a hobby, it paved the way for many personal and professional opportunities I wouldn’t have enjoyed otherwise. In fact, I consider learning Spanish one of the biggest turning points of my life. To think I only wanted to give a second language a try!