Just about everyone can think of some aspect of their lives that they'd like to improve. One way to cover a lot of bases in a single swoop is to dive head first into learning a new language.
It doesn't matter which language you choose, it just has to be new to you. It might be helpful to choose one that is already interesting to you in some way. Maybe you've always enjoyed French dining and would love to be able to comprehend those menus and order with confidence. Maybe you know an attractive co-worker and would love to display your knowledge of his or her native language. Whichever language direction you choose, it should be compelling to you in some way since you're going to be spending a good deal of time mastering it.
Even though language acquisition isn't something to embark upon lightly, keeping in mind its myriad benefits will help you stay motivated and enthusiastic as you begin to improve. And you'll actually become smarter. Research cited in a 2004 Peoples Weekly World News article, has shown that children who grow up bilingual academically outperform their monolingual counterparts. That's not to say that one has to grow up speaking more than one language to reap the benefits. To be sure, mastering an additional language later in life requires a different level of effort than being brought up in a multilingual environment, but it's certainly possible, and most likely can happen more quickly than might be imagined. And it can even be fun.
Additional studies have shown that expanding your linguistic repertoire literally expands your mind. In 2004, the journal Nature reported that researcher Dr. Andrea Mechelli and colleagues compared brain tissues of individuals who were fluent in more than one language to those who spoke only one. In all cases, the multilingual brains were noticeably denser in gray matter. Brain density has been linked to intellectual capacity: the denser the tissue, the greater the capacity. Therefore, learning another language will actually make you more mentally agile and better able to learn in general.
A larger, smarter brain is only one benefit from mastering another tongue. Jumping comfortably from one language to another is always impressive. Particularly in the United States, where multilingualism is more the exception than the rule, it can certainly up your popularity and earn you greater respect to rattle off some banter in another language. It will also make you a better communicator in your native language. Many students of foreign languages claim that they understood the grammatical structure and rules of their own languages far better after having learned a foreign language.
On top of that, a whole new community of people will open up to you as you enter the world of their language. The potential for new relationships will expand exponentially. And foreign travel takes on a brand new significance when you know the native language and can order l'hors d'oeuvre de foie gras avec panache. You'll get what you need and want with greater facility and endear yourself to your hosts, almost guaranteeing you'll be welcomed with open arms.
Learning to comprehend thoughts and ideas in a totally new way also opens your mind to concepts that were unavailable to you before. For cultural reasons, many expressions you'll learn in foreign languages simply have no equivalent in one's native language. You'll find it's a mental leap well worth taking. With the addition of a new language, you'll actually broaden your understanding and appreciation of the world and its people. You'll be more marketable in business as well. Depending on your occupation, new career opportunities could be only a language away.
These are just some of the many ways enhancing your language abilities can improve life. Before launching your curriculum, however, it's a good idea to explore several languages before deciding on the one you'd like to master. It will also be helpful along the way if you have access to any fluent speakers in your chosen language with whom you can practice. Often it's possible to find organizations based on the nationality of people who speak the language you're interested in. At the very least, they'll be flattered by your interest in their culture and language, and will be able to direct you to resources that can help you meet native speakers.
The adventure awaits. Make it a fun and exciting one, and you'll be on your way in no time. And don't forget, displaying your command of a foreign language gives you instant sex appeal. That alone should make learning another language worth the effort.
