Whether you wish to study abroad or are doing a major in international business, everyone can benefit from a little foreign language experience. In fact, for several undergraduate degrees, a few semesters of a foreign language are actually needed. Which language you opt to learn could support your career as a young adult.
The best thing is you do not have to master the foreign language completely. With basic knowledge, you can use it as required and you would be surprised how much you will use it for years to come.
Now, the only thing is: What language should you opt to learn? The following strategies will assist you to narrow down your options.
Finalize Compile a List of Places you are likely to Visit
The first thing you must do when you choose which language to learn is to compile a list to see where your interests lie. Noting the places, you would like to visit could be a great motivator for learning a foreign language. If Spain is on your bucket list, you will likely need to speak at least a little Spanish when you are there.
While several foreign countries are used to English-speaking tourists, you can mostly get a more cultural experience by venturing off to non-tourist-based parts of the country, where the basics of the language are invaluable.
Finalize Your Motive
What is your target with learning a foreign language? If you are trying to finish a normal education requirement, your choice of language could differ vastly from someone who plans to move to another country or opt for a career working overseas. On another side, if passing a class is most critical to you, select a language with similar structures to English.
If you wish to plan for moving abroad or even backpacking for a few days, find out what languages are most commonly used in the parts you plan to travel. You could be surprised to see which languages are spoken there. For instance, the French language is spoken in around 32 countries, several of which are in Africa.
Check the Difficulty level of the Language
Some individuals are naturally good at mastering a foreign language. If you truly enjoy a challenge and look to try something different, try Mandarin or Japanese, these languages have their own unique alphabets. On the other hand, languages like Spanish and French could prove comparably be less challenging if you are familiar with English alphabets.
Think of Studying Abroad
Check if your college offers any program of study abroad in one of the countries on your list. If yes, ask for information with respect to your degree and class credit. Studying abroad could be one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of your college experience. It is also a top way to learn a new language first-hand.
Develop off your Foundation
For most of you, it is important to opt for a language that you are somewhat familiar with. This will lessen frustration as you learn it and keep you from feeling under stress. If English is your first language, you may want to try learning French or Spanish since the grammar and sentence structures are similar. Also, if you opt for any foreign language in middle or high school, it could be easier to choose that language, since you have already built the foundation for it.
What Attracts You
For several people, specific languages are simply plain attracting. At times, you simply have to go with your instinct. In this scenario, it could be a wonderful way to choose a language rapidly and easily, specifically, if you do not have plans to build an international career.