In the last 5 years, I have become fluent in three foreign languages; English, German and Spanish. You may think now that I am naturally good at learning languages, but I´m not. I have simply invested a lot of time and energy to finally get the hang of it. And so can you.
In school, I studied the compulsory foreign languages; I did 8 years of English, 5 years of German and 4 years of French. Later on at university I elected to study Spanish for 3 years. I always had good grades for language subjects, but studying grammatical rules and memorizing long lists of vocabulary didn´t help me to transform my book knowledge into real conversations. It won´t surprise you that I could barely communicate in any of those languages despite many years of study.
So I went abroad; one of the best methods to learn to speak other languages. I realized that when it comes to languages I am not a good learner from books and classes, I need real life practice. To improve my English I traveled across New Zealand and Australia, to learn Spanish I studied in Mexico and to master the German language I worked in Germany. My case shows that even if you don´t have a natural born talent for learning foreign languages, experiences abroad make it a lot easier.
To become a polyglot has been one of the most inspirational processes in my life. Of course, I have had my motivation problems on the way. Even though I knew I needed the language not to feel isolated, I always find the beginning process of learning a new language more exhausting than exciting. But being able to speak a new foreign language is hugely rewarding. Let me give you three inspiring examples that kept me going.
1. Learn a New Language & Understand your Mother Tongue
New language acquisition is a great way to open your mind to a new perspective of your mother tongue. Your mother tongue is obviously your first language of reference when learning a new language; many skills acquired in the first language can be transferred to the second language. There is, however, a similar effect in the opposite direction. Through continuous comparison between the foreign language and your mother tongue, you deepen your understanding of your taken-for-granted native language.
Learning Spanish grammar and German vocabulary taught me an incredible amount about the Dutch language. I suddenly realized all these facts about my mother tongue that I just subconsciously know from growing up speaking it. I recognized that languages have their unique virtues and limitations. Studying new grammar systems and new ways to express yourself in a foreign language fosters therefore deeper comprehension of your mother tongue. It is an eye-opening two-way learning process.
Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen
Those who know no foreign language know nothing of their mother tongue
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe-
2. Learn a New Language & Train your Brain
Every time I start learning a new language, I enter a period of time when I feel clearly more tired and exhausted than I normally do. Language fatigue hits me – a phenomenon common to language learners that become physically and psychologically drained by speaking and listening a little used language. Both my body and mind ask for more energy as a response to stimulus overload. I am not a neuroscientist but I perceive these symptoms as a sign that my brain is working overtime.
When we learn and make new experiences, brain cells form connections with each other that build into chunks and networks. The brain´s ability to change and modify neuron activity in reaction to stimulation is called neuroplasticity or plasticity. This applies to all kinds of learning experiences, including to learning foreign languages.
Studying a new linguistic system involves adapting to new rules and habits regarding grammar, lexicon, phonology, and pragmatics. Language learners notice that the normal way of thinking no longer works; you first have to train your brain to get used to the new complex system. After a while, I am used to thinking in the foreign language and switching between languages is much easier. I don´t feel exhausted anymore and I know my brain fitness has increased.
3. Learn a New Language & Broaden your Cultural Horizons
Learning a new language is great to expand you cultural world. Almost all language courses include units about culture. You learn about artists, writers and philosophers you have vaguely heard about, and you get to know new notable names in history, sports, and entertainment. But the greatest thing is being able to dig independently into local literature, poetry, film, TV, art, music and theatre as soon as you have reached a more advanced level. When you have a specific interest in one or more of those cultural aspects, knowing a new language means having a whole new world to discover.
Naturally you can choose to continue watching dubbed movies and reading translated books. But this doesn´t help with improving your language skills, and moreover, foreign products translated into your own language always lose some of their cultural value. You don´t understand the integrated cultural nuances, you don´t get the cultural related jokes, and you simply miss out on learning new things. Foreign language acquisition gives you access to their culture by allowing you an insider’s view.
Interaction with locals sometimes gives you the awkward feeling of not knowing every aspect of their culture. When this happens try to see it positively: your limited knowledge of their cultural heritage is not a handicap; your language ability is a privilege to know at least a part of it.
Die Grenzen meiner Sprache bedeuten die Grenzen meiner Welt
The limits of my language are the limits of my universe
-Ludwig Wittgenstein-
Learning the local language is for me the most tangible aspect of expatriation. Obviously it depends on the kind of life experience you are looking for, but knowing the language can make the difference between a successful expat experience and one characterized by isolation and loneliness. If this is not enough to convince or motivate yourself, I hope the life changing benefits discussed above will. Even if you are staying for a shorter period of time, I strongly recommend to make the effort and enjoy yourself in the process.
Do you agree that language learning is far more than a system to be explained?
What other benefits does learning a new language provide?
Please share your experience, ideas and feedback via the comment section below.
