Over the past six years, I have studied Turkish. As time passed, I became busier and left it behind. I recently got back into it. Learning a language and maintaining it is difficult, but it’s rewarding and beneficial in many ways. With both personal and professional advantages, being fluent in languages other than your own is always a great thing to add to your skill set. 

My Experience

Like starting anything new, the early-stage struggles are challenging. Reaching proficiency is hard, from forgetting words to grammar confusion to fear of speaking and making mistakes. There are days I gave up on my self-study plan and relied on entertainment modes to learn. I watched a series, movies, or listened to podcasts while I worked on something else. However, these methods work best as complementary learning material.

Language acquisition requires discipline, patience, consistency, and review. The more I adopted these skills, a newfound confidence emerged in me. I developed a stronger sense of cultural empathy. I discovered a side of myself I was unaware of, like a distinct personality and identity emerged as I delved into the dialect and culture. Although I felt anxious and embarrassed while practicing my speaking with native speakers online, I got better at a quicker rate. Mistakes have been the key to improving and becoming more open-minded to challenges and opportunities. As good as these benefits are, I didn’t expect my journey to affect my social competence and brain health positively. It has been a worthwhile investment in my overall well-being.

The Benefits of Language Learning

There are surprising potential advantages of studying a foreign language. When acquiring and, more importantly, speaking, you’re exercising your brain and allowing it to filter out irrelevant information. Your attention span and working memory improve. When in a flow state or a deep work session, you can become so indulged that time becomes non-existent, igniting positive emotions and satisfaction. When making social connections, you’re better able to understand, empathize with, and be aware of different cultures. With an open mind and broadened perspective, you may identify with others and be less prone to judging. Language learning is a great hobby and serves as a healthy distraction instead of excessive scrolling, which results in wasted energy and negative thoughts. 

Language acquisition is an excellent gateway to put yourself out there and gain perspectives in the world. It helps you avoid unhealthy or unprofitable activities and strengthen your mind, communication skills, and cultural understanding.

Editor: Lucy Cafiero