Learning a new language can be both an exciting and daunting process. This is because there’s the excitement of learning something new combined with the fear of the unknown. However, once you gain a feel for the new language and learn to better grasp new principles and concepts, there is nothing better than learning a foreign language.
Studying to learn a foreign language is no easy task. It requires time, commitment, and generous helpings of motivation. However, the reward of speaking French or Spanish to those around you greatly outweighs any perceived negatives.
In fact, learning a new language provides a vast range of opportunities, most of which can be truly life-changing. Sometimes choosing a new language to learn can be as difficult as actually learning the language. However, the whole process of learning a new language doesn’t have to be hard.
When considering what new language to study, a number of key factors can help the decision-making process. These factors range from checking the difficulty level and working out motivating factors to determine a purpose and considering possible holiday destinations.
Ease of learning
Not all languages are equally hard to learn. While the level of difficulty will vary for each individual, languages like Japanese are known to be harder to grasp than languages such as French. So if you’re interested in learning a language without having to invest a great deal of time and patience, the easiest languages to learn include French, German, Indonesian and Italian.
What motivates you?
Working out what motivates you is important when it comes to deciding on what new language to study. If the possibility of a certain language doesn’t excite you then learning may be harder than necessary. This is because when you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, your brain will find a way to procrastinate.
Is there a purpose?
If you are considering learning a language like Cantonese, perhaps this isn’t a great idea if you don’t see yourself visiting places such as Hong Kong. When learning a language, you want to actually be able to use it – whether it’s speaking to others you know or through visiting a particular country – otherwise those hours of hard work will be for nothing.
Bucket list travel destinations
Deciding what language to learn can be greatly influenced by a person’s ideal holiday destinations. This is because while many foreign destinations are used to English speaking tourists, the best cultural gems will require some knowledge of the language in order to be able to find and enjoy them.
You’ve chosen a language – what’s next?
Choosing the right language to study may have seemed like an arduous task, but there is still more work to do. That’s because once you choose a language to study, you then have to commit to learning that language!
Successfully learning a new language can be broken down into three steps.
- First – choosing the right learning method for you.
- Second – staying motivated to keep learning and ultimately reach the finish line.
- Third – setting attainable goals.
Choosing the right learning method
Everybody learns differently. That’s why each person looking to study a language should consider if online or in-person learning is right for them. It should be noted however that choosing an accredited course will better prepare you for any further learning in the future.
Staying motivated
Motivation is key when it comes to learning a language. If you don’t like something you aren’t going to want to study it. So, to stay motivated, think about all the opportunities for learning a language may provide such as richer travel experiences or deeper conversations.
Setting goals
Learning a language is more productive when broken down into manageable goals that can be achieved over a few months. Setting realistic goals allows individuals to keep on task by tracking their progress. Goal setting also helps conserve motivation.
Final thoughts
Choosing a language to learn is quite a personal process. When it comes to what language to study, there is no one size fits all. In fact, choosing a language really comes down to a range of factors from personal preference to future aspirations.
While the lack of direction in terms of choosing a language can seem frustrating, it should be a personal process. At the end of the day, what language you choose to learn could impact future relationships, job opportunities, and living circumstances.
The right language won’t be hard to learn, but the process itself may be frustrating. However, by keeping motivated, setting goals, and chipping away at it, you might find that learning a new language may open doors you never thought possible.
