Transparent Language shares some of our most favorite reasons for learning foreign languages. What are some of yours?

2. Image by Fauxen via Flickr

3. “Training your brain” is a very trendy concept right now, and there are lots of
games out there that are supposed to keep you mentally limber. Language
learning exercises your brain too, and studies have shown that it may even help
prevent Alzheimer’s.
Not only that, but you come away with the added benefit of a useful life skill,
something that most brain games cannot give you.

4. Images: knight-rider.wikia.com
and flixya.com

5. Even if you never use it, being able to list fluency in more than one language on
your resume is valuable. And of course, for jobs that do require the use of that
language, you have a decided advantage over a sizeable chunk of the population.
Even if you don’t expect that learning Spanish will boost your career directly, it’ll
probably come in handy at some point in ways you can’t foresee.

7. One of the biggest benefits to language learning is a greater understanding of
other cultures and customs. Being a better global citizen isn’t just a feel-good
ideal; it’s a responsibility shared by us all, and one that especially English
speakers in the United States could do a better job at. Other parts of the world
are far more multilingual than we are, and though that is often out of necessity,
it comes with a broader cultural understanding.
Another element of being a global citizen is exploring your own family heritage.
If you are a descendant of Irish ancestors, learning about Irish language and
culture has special significance.

9. We live in a world where a great many things are translated, but not everything.
“You’ve not experienced Shakespeare until you have read it in the original
Klingon…” as they say. Reading works of literature in their original language can
be immensely rewarding. Even being able to flip through a popular magazine or
trade journal and read articles in a language other than English has great value,
especially if the material has not been translated. Plus, you may find a whole
new world of entertainment when you start exploring foreign language TV,
music, and movies!
An article on the Wall Street Journal recently reported that many heavy metal
fans learn Norwegian and Finnish to better appreciate song lyrics by Nordic
bands like Hevibändi and Korpiklaani.

11. It’s a lot cooler to say “Bon chance!” than “Good luck!”, even if that happens to
be one of a scant number of French phrases in your repertoire. And if you have
the correct accent and pronunciation down, bonus points! Foreign accents
represent something new (and literally “foreign”) to our mind, so we are wired
to find an accent other than our own to be more interesting.
Many people like to train their pets to respond to foreign language commands.
This is usually done for fun, but police dogs are often trained in foreign language
so that only their handlers know important commands.
A foreign language can also serve as a cool, not-so-secret code - study Spanish
along with your spouse, and you can talk about things you don’t want your
children to overhear… at least, until the kids start picking up on the key
vocabulary!

12. Image by quinnanya via Flickr

13. Most high schools and colleges have a language requirement. Depending on
where you are in your education, getting a jump-start on those requirements can
make school easier.
You may even be able to test out of the entry-level language courses in college.
That leaves you with open slots in your schedule, for more advanced language
courses… or for something totally different you wouldn’t otherwise have had the
time for.

14. Image by rob-young via Flickr

15. You really don’t need to be fluent in a foreign language to benefit from using it
on a vacation to another country. Knowing just a handful of Italian survival
phrases will get you through the streets of Rome more effectively than you might
think.
Even if you don’t have the accent quite right, or the sentence structure, or are
missing a word here and there, it is a sign of respect to speak the language in
another country, even if everyone you encounter probably knows a good amount
of English. It’ll also make road signs and warnings a little less scary.

16. Image: connorslegacy.co.uk

17. Learning anything new gives you a feeling of confidence and accomplishment,
and learning a new language is no exception. Plus, languages themselves can be
both fascinating and fun!
You may even find that once you’ve learned one, you want to keep going and
learn another. The next time around will be easier, because not only did you
learn a new language… you also learned HOW to learn language effectively as an
adult (a totally different ballgame than learning your first language, as a child).
Maybe you’ll reveal that inner polyglot superpower you never knew you had!

19. Turns out, learning a foreign language makes you focus on grammar and analysis
that make you better in your native language, too. Many students have reported
finally understanding a grammar rule in their native language through learning it
as part of a new language. Focus on learning how to express yourself in a foreign
language also makes you more cognizant about expressing yourself in general.

21. Through learning a new language, you will open doors of many kinds. You’ll meet
others just like you, working on learning, as well as native speakers from parts of
the world you may never have visited, or indeed, may never visit.
One surmounted language barrier can lead to a richer life, and to friends you’d
never have met otherwise. So much of life these days is about networking… who
knows where your new connections might lead?

22. 1. Feed your brain
2. Boost your career
3. Be a global citizen
4. Unlock knowledge
5. It’s just cooler
6. Fill school requirements
7. Travel to exotic places!
8. Build confidence
9. Improve your native language
10. Make new friends
Image by chrisflorence via Flickr

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24. Image by kalinagoenglish via Flickr