So Many Languages: So Many Things to Learn

Everyday I hear people saying that learning a foreign language is a difficult thing. As part of their argument, people say  that native speakers talk too fast. Usually I agree with them. Many native speakers from different places, all over the world, have a tendency to speak fast. But this is not what decides if learning a foreign language is going to be easy or not.

There are several factors you need to consider before you decide to learn a new language.

First, you need to think about your ability. It is a fact that some people have a special ability for languages.  They hear things in a foreign language couple of times. Then, they repeat these phrases and sentences, and they sound like native speakers. In addition to that, they memorize things almost immediately.  If you are a person that has these special abilities, learning a foreign language would not be difficult.

Second, you need to think about your first language. If the language you are trying to learn and your first language are in the same family, your learning experience will probably be one that you will enjoy. The reason is that you will be able to make connections between the two languages. Many words  are going to sound alike and have the same or similar meanings.

Third, you need to think about your age. According to many teachers, the younger you are, the easier it will be for you to learn a foreign language. Young kids have a good ear. This helps them to learn new sounds and  to learn a foreign language. Teenagers like to imitate other people, especially their foreign language teachers.

Fourth, you need to consider your previous experience with the language you are trying to learn. If you are trying to learn a foreign language that people around you used to talk, you already know some of the words and popular expressions. These knowledge will help you, when you start taking a foreign language class.

Fifth, think about how often you will be exposed to this language. Remember, it is important that you  practice everything you learn. If you decide to learn Spanish, take a vacation and visit a Spanish-speaking country twice a year. If you decide to learn French or Italian do the same thing. You need to travel and meet new people that speak Italian, French or Spanish. You need to hear everybody around you speaking this foreign language you are trying to learn. In other words, you need to submerge yourself in the foreign language and culture.

Good luck and do not give up.  Remember that learning a foreign language can be easy and fun. Just choose wisely the foreign language that you would like to learn.