5 Benefits Of Learning A New Language

I’ve been an expat for more than two decades, and as much as I specialize in helping high-net-worth individuals secure their new lives abroad, language learning has made my overseas experience even more fulfilling.

You’re probably familiar with some of the benefits of learning a new language, such as improving memory. However, the benefits are even more significant when you want to build a new life elsewhere or simply travel. As I always say, being an expat is about integration into your new country and showing respect to the locals. And there’s no better way to do that than speaking your new country’s language. 

In this article, you will learn the most relevant benefits of learning a new language and some actionable tips to help you learn much faster and more effectively!

5. BETTER INTEGRATION INTO THE LOCAL CULTURE

Think about English idioms like “Hold your horses” or “Go bananas.” Do you think that non-native speakers can understand their real meaning right away? Of course not! Well, to fully enjoy the experience in your new country and be able to understand common phrases, knowing the local language is a must. That’s how you can better connect with the locals. 

Additionally, given how widespread English is, speaking a second language is a sign of respect and genuine interest in becoming part of the local community. And don’t worry about making mistakes; the locals will still appreciate your efforts and be happy to help. Once you reach a certain level of proficiency, your relationships will get to the next level, becoming more meaningful and fulfilling. 

4. UNDERSTANDING YOUR FAVOURITE MUSIC AND TV SHOWS 

As much as learning from textbooks can help, studying TV shows and lyrics will take your language skills up a notch. There’s nothing as important as learning new words and phrases within a context. Words themselves are not as tangible as words strung together. Add visual elements, intonation, and emotion, and you’ll learn more than hundreds of hours of reading the dictionary. 

I strongly recommend that you watch TV shows with subtitles to connect what’s being said with the text; that way, you’ll improve your listening and comprehension skills, as well as your ability to understand local humour, slang, and cultural nuances that get lost in translation.

Even if you’re just travelling, having a second language can help you navigate various situations—from ordering food at a restaurant to building new relationships

3. IMPROVED CAREER AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

If you’re from a country like Canada or the U.S., chances are you know someone who migrated there to improve their English and land better job opportunities. The same goes for when you move or travel abroad. Mastering the local language improves both your day-to-day interactions and your career prospects. 

In many countries, being bilingual provides a competitive advantage, particularly if you need to interact with clients or colleagues on a regular basis. When you speak the local language, you can better understand the nuances of the local market, communicate more effectively with business partners, and negotiate better deals. 

2. EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS AND DEVELOPING A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

A major mistake many expats make is staying in the “expat bubble” and not getting to know the locals. I’ve seen it so many times, and trust me, you’ll miss out on lots of opportunities if you just hang out with other expats. The point of living abroad is to integrate and interact with new types of people. Even if you’re just travelling, knowing a language can help you navigate different situations, from ordering food at a restaurant to establishing relationships.

Another major benefit of learning a second language is that it helps you see the world from a different perspective. Every language comes with different worldviews, expressions and ways of thinking. Through the local language, you can tap into a deeper layer of culture and mindset. In turn, this expanded horizon will help you deepen both your professional and personal relationships. 

Languages like Japanese, Mandarin, and Arabic have completely different writing systems. If you're used to the Latin alphabet, learning these new systems will require a significant time investment

1. ENHANCED COGNITIVE ABILITIES AND INCREASED ADAPTABILITY

This benefit might sound the most familiar to you, and for good reason! Apart from all the lifestyle advantages of knowing a second language, you can sharpen your memory, attention and problem-solving skills. Moreover, multiple studies have shown that bilingualism delays Alzheimer’s disease.

Once you reach a certain level of proficiency in a second language, you can better deal with unfamiliar situations, understand cultural differences and solve problems creatively. This enhanced adaptability can help you with situations like negotiating with local vendors or understanding social cues in daily interactions. 

HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE?

The difficulty of a language depends on multiple factors. For instance, is this your very first time learning a new language? Or are you a seasoned polyglot? Experience also plays an important role when considering the difficulty of a language. Here are some other factors that determine how complicated (or easy) a language is:

• Grammar: Does this new language have complicated grammar to wrap your head around? Or is the syntax similar to that of your native language? For example, if your native language is English, learning Spanish will probably be much easier than learning Japanese. 

• Writing System: Languages like Mandarin, Arabic and Japanese are a whole new world if you are used to the Latin script. Although there are rules you might end up understanding if you study effectively, you might need to invest a significant amount of your time into learning this new writing system. Otherwise, your pronunciation might not be as correct. 

• Pronunciation: There’s an obvious difference between the sounds when you compare certain languages. Sometimes, you’ll encounter sounds that just don’t exist in your native language! Practice a lot of listening and mirror the pronunciation of native speakers to get acclimated to the new sounds. Something as simple as playing a podcast in the background can help massively.

Considering these factors, Korean, Mandarin, Arabic, and Japanese are arguably some of the most difficult languages for native English speakers to learn. They are vastly different from any Romance or Germanic language and require multiple hours of studying. It’s not impossible, but you must dedicate much more time and effort to it - if you like it, go ahead.

Dead time refers to routine activities like driving or doing the dishes. Use these moments to improve your target language skills by listening to music or short podcasts 

HOW TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

First off, if you have any false belief pattern that claims you can’t learn a new language because you are too old, don’t have the talent, don’t have enough time or any motivation, it’s all rubbish. It’s never too late to learn a new language. Of course, you have to put in the work, but trust me, the rewards will be massive—just remember all the benefits of learning a new language!

Here are some tips to learn a new language effectively (the ones I’ve personally used to improve my Spanish):

ACTIVE STUDY 

Active study involves engaging and interacting with certain materials rather than passively consuming them. I use a story-based system called Spanish Uncovered for my active study time. The course is divided into bite-size pieces consisting of videos, PDFs and audio files. I am constantly learning new vocabulary skills while reading the story, and I find it’s never too difficult or too easy. The pace is designed to take you at the perfect speed, and each chapter builds on the previous one.

DEAD TIME

Dead time refers to the activities you do regularly, such as commuting or washing the dishes. It is during these times that you can further improve your language skills. How? Just by listening to content in your target language, be it songs or podcasts. To make it more digestible, it’s probably better to choose short-form content or at least listen to podcasts little by little. You want to make sure you feel that progress is being made.

PRIVATE TUTORING 

Private tutoring is perhaps the most effective way to keep yourself accountable. Having the responsibility to another person, knowing your tutor is sitting down waiting for you, is a huge motivator. Just like the down payment you make to get a house, putting money down for a class shows you’re serious! My favourite resource is italki, where you can find many different teachers at different price points and experience levels.

DOWNTIME

Downtime refers to the time of the day right before bed when you don’t have the energy for active studying. Forcing yourself to actively study at times like these might make you want to quit learning languages altogether. Instead, do things that you’d normally do but in your target language. Watch a TV show, listen to music, read a book, you name it. So yes, you can learn any language by watching TV. 

LEARNING BEFORE TRAVELLING

There’s this huge myth that the only way to learn a language is to move to a country where that language is spoken, but that’s not necessarily true. Just think of all the expats who just stay in the expat bubble! It’s much more effective to learn in your home country and then travel, as you’ll already have some tools to navigate different situations. Once you master the fundamentals, you can go learn a language abroad. 

MIND THE DIALECT

To further improve your language skills, be mindful of where you’re travelling. For instance, if you want to learn Spanish, pick the accent of the country you want to travel or move to. There’s a huge difference between Spanish and Latin American Spanish.

Many of my clients are families, and when they show interest in Panama or another Latin American country, I think of the great opportunity they’re giving their kids to learn a new language

BONUS TIP: USE LANGUAGES TO GIVE YOUR FAMILY A COMPETITIVE EDGE

Many of my clients are married couples with children, and when they show interest in Panama or any other country in Latin America, I can’t help but think how much they’re helping their kids with languages. At home, you could speak your native language, and outside, the language of your country of choice. 

Languages play an essential role in my family. My wife’s native language is Chinese, mine is English, and our nanny’s is Spanish. So, from birth, my kids can be fluent in three languages! I follow an approach called “One Parent, One Language.” As its name suggests, my kids speak just one language with each parent. To my wife, they speak Chinese, and to me, they speak English. And you guessed it, they speak Spanish to our nanny.

Mastering a new language is an ongoing process, offering continuous growth and valuable benefits regardless of age or experience

CONCLUSION

In this article, I’ve tried my best to share with you not only the five benefits of learning a new language but also actionable tips to streamline your learning process. Apart from improving your cognitive abilities, learning a language allows you to enjoy lots of lifestyle benefits. From extended career and business opportunities to better integration into your new country, there’s no shortage of reasons to learn a second language. 

Remember that learning a language is a lifetime journey. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to speak a second language, but you’ll always learn something new regardless of your level. Come to think of it, you never stop learning, even in your native language! Regardless of age or false beliefs, the benefits of learning a new language are massive.