The 6 Most Popular Myths About Language Learning

by Gloria Kopp

As the world becomes smaller and smaller than to technology and business links, it's becoming more and more apparent that we really need to start learning other languages, in order to communicate effectively. There are many reasons why you may think that you can't learn a new language. Maybe you didn't do well at foreign languages at school, or maybe you think you simply don't need to. However, if you want to get ahead you really do need to start learning to converse with other people around the globe. Here are 6 myths about language learning that are provably untrue.

1. 'Everyone speaks English nowadays'

Thanks to popular culture, we're lead to believe that most of the planet speaks English, either as their first language, or as an additional language. However, this just isn't true. Only one quarter of the world's population currently speaks English, and while that is a sizeable portion, how about the other three quarters?

2. 'It's too difficult to learn a new language as an adult'

Yes, it can be easier to learn a language as a child, as your brain is more malleable and it's easier to pick up new ideas. This doesn't mean, though, that you're a lost cause as an adult. The brain is like a muscle, in that the more you use it to perform a certain task, the better it will get at it. If you start learning now, the more you do it, the easier it will get.

3. 'Learning this language won't help me find a job'

It's easy to think that learning a language other than English or a Chinese variant won't help you in your career. After all, do employers care if you speak Javanese, Urdu or German? You'd be surprised. In a crowded marketplace, an 'out of the box' language will help you stand out from all the other job applicants, and could make you a serious asset if a company trades in countries that speak that language.

4. 'Translation technology means I don't need to learn the language'

It can't be denied that new translation technologies, such as Google Translate, are a real help to the casual traveller. If you're simply looking for your hotel or the nearest cafe, being able to just input your query into your phone is a godsend. However, if you're thinking about moving to, or working within a country, you're going to need to know the language even when you have no wifi signal.

5. 'If you're not naturally gifted at learning languages, you can't do it'

There's a general feeling that some people are just better at learning languages, and those of us who struggle at first to pick it up will just never get it. Not true! People who appear to be 'gifted' at learning languages simply use better learning techniques, whether they know it or not. They use specific learning tools such mnemonics, and push through the initial struggle to start understanding the language. Anyone can do the same.

6. 'Learning a language will take more time than I have'

Modern life is busy, and it's becoming harder and harder to find time to do the things we really want to do. One of those things might be learning a language, and you've probably decided that you simply don't have the time to dedicate to cultivating that new skill. You'll actually find that those who do manage it find the 'dead spots' in their day which they use to learn, such as traveling to and from work, or sitting in waiting rooms. No matter how busy you are, you're never going to be going at full pelt all day. Find those dead spots and put them to good use.

There are just six myths, busted wide open, that prove that absolutely anyone can learn a new language. Whether you want to move abroad, work with people from a different country, or develop a new skill to make yourself more employable, it's entirely possible no matter how old you are, or how little time you have to devote to the cause. Find yourself a good online course, app, or class, and get learning!

About the writer

Gloria Kopp is a web content writer and an elearning consultant from Manville city. At present time she works as a paper writer and an editor at Boom Essays writing service. Besides, she is working on online writing course project that is going to be launched this autumn.

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