The recent pandemic and the lockdown made us sit at our homes, enjoying being alone or with our families. We occupied ourselves with various home-sitting tasks such as cooking new meals, researching a topic of interest on the internet, reading books that we had always wanted to read but never got around to because they were too long for one sitting. Some of us would like to push ourselves towards something newer by improving skills through learning a new foreign language. We will not stress how to start speaking a foreign language fast, but how it can change your life for the better.
A new language can help you find friends and partners
One of the best ways of meeting and making connections with locals is by speaking their language! It may be confusing at first, and after your trip abroad ends (or even before), those interactions will always stay fresh because they were so much more meaningful than what would have happened if an interpreter were present. Plus, sometimes understanding certain words can lead to conversations about different cultures that we might not know anything about. It makes this learning process lots of fun as well! There are some websites and applications where you can improve your language skills and find new friends — these both will change your life for the better!
italki
It is the social media for talking in foreign languages. You can register there, choose a language, and start communicating immediately with people from all over the world! It works with small fees that offer you lessons from natives; here’s your chance to teach foreigners about your native tongue while earning some money at it. You can also share some thoughts and emotions in a new language here!
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfers have all sorts of reasons to enjoy staying with locals while traveling: it provides insight into foreign cultures. You get more than just tourist attractions because there are local markets where you can buy souvenirs in bulk and at lower prices! On top of that, hosts often share their favorite food spots as well, so couch surfing makes any trip worth its weight in gold — literally. Finding friends there is easy: politeness and a friendly attitude are in the rules of the platform!
A new language can help you travel and learn about the world
It used to be that many people would travel the world before COVID-19. Some took tours of Europe; others went exploring in Asia or on expeditions into exotic countries. A few weeks at a resort could also suffice for some, while shorter trips were popular too, with neighboring countries being preferred destinations as well. Knowing another foreign tongue brought lots of insights and allowed them to try local cuisine without relying solely on English enjoyably.
You can save a lot of money by booking your flights and hotels in foreign countries. Communicating with the natives will make you feel like you’re getting to know them on an intimate level, rather than just listening to their rehearsed speeches from tour guides that are more interested in making a profit off of tourists’ ignorance about local customs and culture. You’ll be able to learn many new things while also improving your life through this experience.
A new language can help you understand cultures better
Studying the language of poets, musicians, and writers is about communicating and gaining a deeper connection to another culture. Learning this language can provide you with an invaluable insight into other cultures through their literature, music, and poetry.
It is a fact that people fond of the culture and history of any country study the language. Some, carried away by capoeira or salsa, find out it’s not as easy to land on your feet when you’re dancing the tango all night!
Studying a new language can be an engaging way to connect with the culture and history of another country. Some people find it so engaging that they forget about their geography lessons in school, like those who were captivated by capoeira or salsa on vacation don’t realize how far away from home they’ve been! There are plenty around; all you need is someone willing to learn your native tongue if you’re looking for friends abroad. It will not only broaden your cultural horizons but also improve cross-cultural understanding between individuals locally as well.
A new language can make you understand yourself better
It is unlikely that there is such a person who would not dream of learning any other language. It’s a skill that will brighten up any resume, and if you do a little bit every day, you can come to this goal and deservedly be proud that now you can communicate with the widest circle of people.
Learning a foreign language is difficult; everyone knows that. People, hearing about your determination to learn the language, will respect that. You can earn the respect of others because with the help of a new language you can help people and communicate with them. The people will probably want to know your opinion on various issues. They will be curious about you themselves — they will be interested in you and your life experience. They will want to know what a representative of another culture thinks about, what he is afraid of, what he hopes for, how he evaluates this or that event. When you are convinced that other people are interested, you will indeed feel more confident!
Wrap up
Learning a new language is one of the best decisions you will ever make. It’s an investment in yourself, your future, and all the other benefits that come with it. You can learn to speak fluently by choosing our vast selection of online courses or signing up for live lessons. The new language can also improve your inner state: make you confident and improve self-love, which is highly important for making your life better.
Ryan Pell is a passionate blogger and writer who likes sharing his thoughts and. Now he works as a content editor and internet researcher, you can check his website. He likes to travel and explore new countries.
Featured image courtesy of cottonbro.
