The world is getting smaller by the minute, metaphorically speaking, naturally. Thanks to networking sites, micro blogging sites and video sharing sites, we are able to keep in touch and share things with friends, friends of friends and even strangers.

Infrequently, fascinating news, stories or comments aren’t in our local tongue so it might be very helpful if we were to understand 1 or 2 foreign languages.

Makes Touring Foreign Nations A Whole Lot Easier
Knowing foreign languages is a firm asset particularly if you are an avid traveler. Imagine being able to read and understand road signs, maps and menus drafted in a foreign language. This would cut out a lot if the trouble and valuable time.

Some might argue that half the fun is interacting with the local population to find things out. Nonetheless certain things can be lost in translation when attempting to communicate with made-up sign languages and minimum understanding of a foreign language.

Take it from me, it is much more fun conversing with the local popularion if you know their language. You will get much more accurate info in a lot less time without missing the fun factor.

Knowing Foreign Languages Is Good For The Mind
Studies have shown that people who may be able to converse in foreign languages are able to handle distractions better than those that speak only a single language. In addition, it might also help balance age related declines in psychological performance.

It was hypothesized that the ability to hold 2 languages in the mind concurrently, without permitting words and grammar from one language to slide into the other, could actually result in the bigger control needed to perform well during certain tasks. Another conjecture means that bilingual speakers have better working memories for storing and processing info.

Having said that , you need to begin to learn foreign languages now so you can stay sharpened when you are much older. Consider it as exercise for the mind, just like mathematics and Sudoku, only far easier.

The Sooner You Start The Better
Although it is never really too late to learn foreign languages, the sooner you start the better. Some kids in certain Asian countries like Malaysia, can speak up to 4 languages and one or two dialects by the time they are 6 years in age. Typically practically each Malaysian can speak at least 2 languages fluently.

Studies have shown that the ideal time to learn languages is before the age of five for best results. But as long as you’ve got the will to learn and have a good learning resources, any time is a great time to learn.

Always start with the fundamentals when it come to learning foreign languages. Start with elementary courses like the Spanish elementary curriculum and slowly progress from there. Modern elementary language curriculum are specifically designed so you can start practicing what you have learned quickly because they focus on common phrases and words, apart from grammar.

To summarise,

  • People who speak more than one language are sharper in their old age
  • Learning foreign languages can be fun and beneficial
  • Knowing foreign languages can be very useful when touring foreign countries

.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Blogplay
  • Twitter
  • Yahoo! Bookmarks

Tagged with: • • • •

Filed under: Uncategorized

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!