Language Learning: Facts, Figures, and Fiction

There are a lot of factors that go into learning a language. It takes hard work, determination, and is an extremely handy skill. This article will go into more depth about the facts, figures, and fiction when it comes to learning a new language.

With practice, and with knowing the facts and fiction of learning a new language, it can be easy. Learning a new language can seem difficult and almost impossible, but can be made easier with help.

There are likely a lot of things that you don’t know about learning a language, and some of the answers to the questions you have may influence your decision to learn a new language, as well as which language you end up choosing. Keep reading to learn more about what learning a language entails, and shed some light on the questions and myths that may float around about learning a language.

Facts

Learning a language is complicated, and there are many interesting things to learn about the process, such as the different grammatical rules that apply to each of them. Here are 6 of the most interesting facts about language learning that can help you decide how to go about learning one.

1. Some people learn languages faster than others. This can boil down to patience and dedication. It takes a lot of hard work to learn a new language and it can depend on how hard-working you are. Some people are more able or equipped to see patterns in the grammar or they may have better memories, which makes it that much easier to learn. The reason behind learning a language can be a big influence too. Sometimes it’s urgent and sometimes it’s for pleasure. Children are also a lot better at learning new languages than adults are.
2. It’s easier for some country’s natives to learn a certain language. Certain languages have been influenced by other languages or are distorted versions of other languages. For example, English has a lot of French, and German influence. A lot of various languages come from one common root, making them extremely similar. Knowing a Romance language such as French, Spanish, or Italian makes it easier to learn other Romance languages because the words, grammar, and syntax are often very similar.
3. Learning a third language is easier than learning a second one. Learning a new language for the first time can be really hard, especially with new grammar and structure rules. But once you go through it one time it becomes a lot easier after that. It will become more natural and your brain will know what to expect. You will also know which learning styles and techniques work for you to learn a language, so you will not waste time with tactics that won’t help you learn.
4. Learning a language increases IQ. This one might seem a little farfetched but it’s true. Whenever you use your brain power, the function goes up. Learning a new language uses a lot of brain power and focus. This can increase the mind and senses. Bilingual individuals also have improved reading and listening comprehension, memory, and reasoning. Learning a new language can also help protect your brain against some of the adverse effects of aging, so your mind will be healthier as you become older.
5. Learning a foreign language abroad is a lot faster than learning one at home. It’s recommended that you move to the country of the language you’re learning. That way you can really immerse yourself and learn from people who have been speaking it their whole lives. The lessons will be a lot better and you’ll have ample opportunities to practice and learn. You can also learn about important cultural aspects of the language that may not be taught in conventional language classes. Being fully immersed in the language means that you will learn it that much more quickly and thoroughly.
6. Not everyone can produce sounds in every language. Different languages are not just the same sounds strung together in different orders. Some languages will use different sounds than others. This is one of the reasons why people have an accent when they learn a new language. They are used to using different sounds when speaking, and so will say words differently than a native speaker would. If a language uses a lot of sounds that aren’t commonly used in your language, you may find yourself having a harder time learning that new language than you would learning a different language.
   

Figures

Learning a language takes a lot of commitment. You will need to be willing to put time, work, and even money toward learning the new language if you want to be effective at using the language. It is important to be aware of some of the figures and numbers involved in learning a language so that you can have accurate expectations of it.

Money

Deciding to learn a new language is a big step and it takes a lot of work. Not only work but money. There are many apps or online resources, such as Duolingo, that can help you learn a language. However, using an app can only get you so far in language learning. Interacting with people is crucial to language learning, and to become fully fluent in a language, you are likely going to need to put some money toward learning a language.

For actual classes, it costs about $200 to $400 a month. Classes involve learning from a real person who will be able to give you more specific help. You will also be able to interact with other students and be more equipped to have a conversation in the new language than you would be just using an app or website.

The most beneficial option to learn a language is moving to an area where the language that you are trying to learn is natively spoken. Obviously, this is the most expensive option but if you plan on spending a lot of time there this will be so beneficial. Price can vary depending on where you move to and from. But the average cost can be anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.

Picking up and moving your entire livelihood to an entirely new country can be daunting, and there are more aspects to moving than simply learning a language. However, immersing yourself in a culture is a great way to become fluent in a language, and it may be a good way to practice language skills that you pick up from classes or other resources.

Time

Learning a new language is also a time investment. The actual time that it will take varies depending on your age, the time you spend each day, how you are learning the language, and many other factors. It also depends on how fluent you plan on being. It is a good idea to devote a few hours everyday to learning a language. Depending on how effective your learning is, you will likely be able to hold simple conversations within a few months. Becoming fully fluent generally takes a few years, so don’t expect to be fluent in a language for a vacation or business trip when you only start learning it a month before.

Fiction

There are many myths out there about learning languages that may make people reluctant to learn a new language or make them go about it incorrectly. Here are 8 common language learning myths and the real truths behind them.

1. You need to be talented and brilliant to be able to learn a new language. Anyone can learn a language. Even babies and toddlers can pick up multiple languages when they’re young; in fact, babies and toddlers are better at learning languages than adults are. Some people may have an easier time learning a new language, but everyone has the ability to learn. Don’t let others dissuade you from doing what you want. With hard work, anyone can learn a language.
2. One language is enough. Knowing a foreign language is a valuable skill. As travel becomes cheaper and faster, people are traveling often to other places that they may not know the language. Knowing a foreign language and being able to communicate when you are in a foreign country or talking to someone from a foreign country is a great skill. There are many opportunities for bilingual people, and some jobs are not even available to those who don’t know more than one language.
3. Learning a new language is impossible for adults. While learning a new language is a little harder for adults but it is definitely not impossible. If you take classes are really dedicate yourself it can be done. Children have an advantage, but that doesn’t mean that learning a new language when you’re an adult is a lost cause. Take some time to dedicate yourself to learning the new language, and you’ll be able to become fluent.
4. Learning two languages delays speech. Many people believe that children that learn two languages at the same time will learn both languages more slowly. However, children can learn two languages at the same pace as learning one language. In fact, families that are multilingual may end up slowing down their child’s language development if they try to only use one language. Parents should speak to their children with whatever language is most comfortable for them, even if this means speaking in two languages at the same time. Children who grow up mixing language can learn to speak just effectively as children who speak one.
5. You only need books and apps to learn a new language. Books and apps can only teach you so much and it’s super hard to learn from these resources. It’s better to take a class, that way if you have questions, things can be cleared up. You can have a hands-on learning experience and be taught by someone who actually knows the language. You need to be able to have a conversation with someone in the language because conversations do not always go as expected, and you need to be able to think and speak on your feet. You will only be able to get so far with an app or book, but a fluent speaker will be able to teach you everything that you need to know.
6. You have to study the grammar. You probably aren’t consciously aware of all the grammar rules in your native language, but you can recognize bad grammar when you hear or see it. You will naturally learn the grammar of the language by hearing people speak the language and picking up the rules as you go. Studying and memorizing the rules and vocabulary of a language is not the best way to learn a language. Instead, it is better for you to interact with fluent speakers and learn along the way. You will soon be able to figure out what is right and wrong.
7. Translation tools are good enough. Many people believe that learning a language will become obsolete and that people will be able to get by talking with people in other languages using translators. Though technology can translate pretty effectively, it is much better to learn a language. Translators can cause problems and miscommunication, and it is more polite to speak with someone in their language rather than trying to use a translator. If you are going to use a language quite a lot, it is best to learn it rather than try to use a translator.
8. Language learning is too difficult. Learning a new language is a difficult endeavor. However, with the social and mental benefits of learning a language, it is totally worth it. You will have to put in a lot of effort to learn a language, but it is not too difficult for anyone who puts their mind to learning the language and puts in enough time and effort to be effective.
   

Learning a new language is super interesting and has become popular in recent years. If you’re interested make sure to do your research to find out how best to learn, how much it will cost, and false myths about learning a new language. If you put your mind to it you could be fluent in a foreign language in just a few months.