What is your reason for wanting to learn a new language? Do you have a strong motivation, or are you lacking it?
Did you know that a strong 'Why' will get you anywhere? Having a strong 'Why' is the driving force behind everything you want to achieve in your life.
Below, I have listed 6 amazing benefits of acquiring a new language. I hope they will inspire you!
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It brings connection and understanding. You will feel more connected to your new environment and better understand the country's history and culture. Language is not just a tool for communication; it also reflects a society's customs, beliefs, and values.
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It's learning a new skill. It trains the muscles in your brain, increases neuronal connections, and thus makes you smarter!
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It makes you feel more at home. Moving to a new country can be challenging. Speaking and understanding the language makes it much easier to feel at home.
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It empowers you in your day-to-day life. Being able to ask for help, reading menus in restaurants, buy things, and handle various (official) situations with ease.
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You learn to express yourself in a new way and thereby discover a new aspect of yourself. Every language has its own unique flavor that you get to experience and play with. If you're unfamiliar with this idea, start noticing how you express yourself a little differently in another language. You might, for example, find yourself sounding a bit more passionate in Italian or somewhat more direct and straightforward in Dutch. ;-)
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If it's your partner's natives lanuage, you get to know them on a deeper level. You will also be able to feel more integrated into their family, as you can communicate with their relatives.
So, if you don't yet have a strong reason for learning, now is the time to create one. A solid reason will give your learning journey a strong foundation and help you stay on track when you find yourself losing motivation along the way.
If you discover that your 'Why' isn't as strong as you initially thought, don't worry! Simply find a better one, or let go of the idea completely that this is something you should - or want to - do right now.