It's Never Late to Start Learning Foreign Languages: What Do Scientists Say?

by Nelma Lumme

Starting to learn a new foreign language can be difficult, no matter your age or pre-existing knowledge. The vast amount of information and new spoken meanings is overwhelming to many, and people have the assumption that kids have it easy.

Children have an easier time adapting to new things, not necessarily learning them as well. Scientists have been hard at work proving that it’s never too late to start learning foreign languages. Let’s see some of the benefits, tips and ways to overcome that initial barrier and start your learning process.

First one is hard

The first foreign language you come across and try to learn will be difficult. No matter, if it's just a different dialect than what you are using right now, the grammar, oral and spelling alone, will make your head spin. It’s important to know that this is completely normal. Use your own language as a jumping off point for learning a new language by drawing parallels and creating visual references. We can describe this feeling as a form of a culture shock, and once you give your new foreign language a fair chance, you will notice that things are starting to click.

Just like any other form of learning, language learning is a process that takes time and practice. The first language you try to learn will be the most difficult one to get right. Once you are through that initial step, every other form of foreign language will be much easier to handle.

Benefits and applications

It’s easy to understand that learning new languages is beneficial to your personal development, but how does it help you exactly? There are numerous applications for knowing a foreign language other than your own, so let’s take a look at some of them and see if you find yourself in them:

As you can see, these are only a handful of benefits and applications of knowing a second or even a third language. Any person who values themselves has at least one or two of these reasons in them. That means that you should start looking for a class group or a starter’s guide to your favorite foreign language as soon as possible. There is no reason to be cut short of a wonderful learning experience and be happy about doing something new.

Target the words

Before jumping to conclusions, learning a foreign language will be a step-by-step process for you. This means that you should start learning from the most basic words and move up to more complex phrases. Words such as “Good day” and “Thank you” or “I’m sorry” should be at the top of your list. This is because these words are used in many different contexts and allow you to build a picture of what the speaker is trying to say without actually knowing all the words. It’s one of the most efficient learning mechanisms and allows for an organic learning experience. Learning a new language through writing is also an option once you start getting the hang of it. If you are learning a language with Latin roots such as English, Italian or French, it’s a good idea to ask for professional help. Visiting a site such as Best Writers Online will help you find errors, edit and proofread anything you write, making the entire process easier to manage. Create a list of words and phrases that are most common in a foreign language you want to learn and the entire process will become that much easier.

Dedicated tools

You don’t need a lot of money to start learning a foreign language. Some of the best resources available to us are free and open to anyone willing to learn. One such tool is Duolingo, and it’s a simple website that allows you to learn new languages. It’s made with user comfort and development in mind, and it’s completely free to use.

This is just one of many applications and tools on the web that allow you to learn a language you always wanted. The sheer amount of options is truly limitless and it’s only up to you which tool you will use. Keep in mind that the most important thing is your personal dedication and will – everything else is at your fingertips.

Auditory learning

One of the ways you can make foreign language learning a part of your everyday life is by listening to that particular language on a regular basis. Whether its TV shows, music or talk shows, listening to a foreign language will make it much easier to speak it. This is because you learn how to pronounce words, hear the context of their use and build your vocabulary in a natural way.

One of the best ways to memorize unknown words is by listening to music and the lyrics – you will soon catch yourself humming the words to the tune of your new favorite song. Put a song or a show on the next time you are relaxed and sitting in your favorite chair. Auditory learning doesn’t necessarily have to be learning by speaking – some of us don’t have the privilege to speak to a foreigner on a regular basis. That is why directing the foreign language at ourselves and listening to it whenever you can; you are doing yourself a huge favor in the learning process.

Conclusion

Foreign language learning is open to anyone willing to take a step into something new in their life, so why wait any longer? Sit back, relax and start searching for your baby steps in learning a new language you have always wanted to. As you can see, it can only do you good by opening new horizons and giving you more options in life. No matter your age or knowledge so far, learning a new language is a journey worth taking.

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