Language Learning: 5 Reasons to learn a new language in 2021

Learning a new language can bring excitement, challenges, and fulfillment to our everyday lives. Here are 5 reasons that make the art of language learning therapeutic.

1. Exploring new parts of the Mind

Learning a new language means diving into the unexplored territory of your mind as you try to make sense of new sounds, words, and expressions. This feeling of exploration gives rise to imaginative thoughts and ignites a sense of adventure within you as you discover new pieces of information to add to your mind’s database.

2. Studying without Pressure or Deadlines

In our society, we often relate the practice of studying with schooling and academics, which involve assessments, exams, and deadlines, all of which add a form of pressure that many of us perceive negatively. When studying a language out of pure passion, on the other hand, we feel elevated to new heights as we are now studying for a desired pursuit of knowledge rather than a desired numerical outcome.

3. Embracing new Cultures & Traditions

The act of learning a language is more than taking in words; it is taking in an entire culture. For example, when you learn Japanese, you are introduced to a way of speaking that shapes how you act as you communicate, such as slightly bowing when you greet or thank someone.

Studying a foreign language allows you to explore new catchphrases and sayings, even learning new philosophies about that culture. As you open yourself up to new ways of thinking, you grow a stronger appreciation for the people and things around you that are “different,” and your growing understanding of it all keeps you well-grounded and connected to the rest of the world.

4. Exercising the Brain

The brain, in many ways, works like a muscle, so we should treat it as so. By exercising the brain, we increase its strength, and language learning is among the best ways to do this, as we are constantly challenged to learn new words, grammar rules, pronunciations, and sentence structures.

5. Going Beyond Yourself

This last point may not make sense at first glance, but it is the most important point. What it means is that when you study a new language, you are surrendering yourself to the mercy of the new knowledge you seek, ultimately reverting to a beginner, much like an innocent child who has no prior knowledge, as you throw away your preconceptions and abandon, in part, your old self to make way for the new.

The reality is, there is so much in the world, in the universe, and in life that we can never know in our lifetime, and when we think we know everything, our sense of adventure and excitement diminishes. This is a natural part of growing up and maturing with increased responsibilities in our lives, so we need to detach from the day-to-day routines and reignite our passion for adventure and learning through therapeutic activities such as language learning!

Looking to get started? Check out Saki @ Just a Japanese girl for some awesome online Japanese language tutoring!