The advent of technology has undoubtedly left its mark on all spheres of society. From medicine to the economy, every sector has been able to experience, enjoy, and even regret its applications. Although they offer multiple benefits, there are still those who are against their use, either out of fear or ignorance. This is understandable, as change takes time and adaptability. One of the areas where the impact is most noticeable is in learning, specifically language learning. Many argue that soon there will be no need to learn any language at all; others that there is no need for the help of an institution or a teacher either. So, has the era of teaching, as we know it, come to an end?

Is it easier to learn a language? Why, why not?

With the emergence of the Internet, and the globalization of information, getting access to it has become easier and easier. It is almost impossible not to find what we are looking for in Google; we always, in one way or another, find a diverse bibliography on any subject that piques our interest.

So, what is the obstacle when it comes to studying or finding the right materials to learn a language?

That's correct! The excess of information and the lack of filters when consuming it. The truth is that it is useless to have all that knowledge at our disposal if we do not know how and when to use it, so in most cases we end up feeling frustrated, and we put aside the task we had set ourselves. And this is one of the main reasons why many people abandon the idea of learning a new language.

Learning has never been easier. Today there are many different free and paid platforms, websites and podcasts, as well as language tutoring services, available at just one click away.

However, since there are so many options, and due to the indecisiveness, our brain chooses the easiest and quickest solution: to give up. Therefore, it is advisable to choose one, explore it, experiment with it for a while and then see if it works.

If after a while, we see that it doesn't work, we try another one and that's it. There is nothing wrong with recognizing that something is not good for us; in fact, quite the contrary, this allows us to know ourselves better and find out more about how we learn.

So, we can say that yes, learning a language is easy. The question is whether we are willing to do it, and whether we can find the proper tools.

Is it still necessary to learn a language?

Having answered the question at the beginning, let's move on to the next one, which almost never comes alone. Is it necessary to learn a language if there are already automatic translators? Do I really need to understand another language in addition to English? Is it worth knowing how to speak another language if I can watch the series dubbed or with subtitles, or read the translation of the book?

These are just a few variants of the same old questions. And the answer to all of them is a definite yes. Now let's see why.

It all stems from the misconception that to speak another language is to say the same thing as in your own, but with different words. And the truth is otherwise. Embarking on the learning of a new language, no matter which one it is, is not only grammar, vocabulary and countless repetitions, but also new ways of thinking, a new culture, new gestures, new music, a new perspective of the world, in short, you are almost another person.

And that is precisely why it is not enough to turn on the subtitles, or to read the translated version, because without realizing it, you are missing out on those small, almost imperceptible details, but so full of meaning, which are unique to each culture, country and language.

Benefits

While all of the above reasons are valid, they are also subjective. I know, not everyone seeks to appreciate every detail, nor is drawn to the culture in that way. And that is also valid and correct. That's why here are some practical and objective benefits of learning languages.

Kickstarts your career

There is nothing better than being able to do what you like anywhere in the world and in front of any audience. Learning other languages will not only make you look cool and cultured, but it will also open up more and better job offers, giving you access to a wider, more diverse and better paid job market. This is surely coupled with a multicultural, multiethnic environment where you will be able to teach and learn together.

Strengthen your brain

Yes, you read that right. The brain is a muscle too, a very important one in fact. For this reason, it needs strengthening and exercising. By learning languages, you will notice improvements in your long and short term memory. In addition, you will be able to prevent or delay dementia and to fight other diseases such as Alzheimer's in a healthy and entertaining way. Don't miss the opportunity to have a sexier brain.

Improve your communication skills

Practicing another language not only contributes to improve your skills in this one, but also in your mother tongue. The constant search for the right words and expressions makes our mind more agile in the use of language in general. In this way, we reach a very high level of oral and written expression, which allows us to communicate assertively and clearly.

Improve your self-esteem

Being validated by others is always a good thing, and it's even better when it happens in any setting. Whether it's after giving a lecture, presenting a report, or during a chat with friends, your language skills will be appreciated by both your friends and native speakers of that language. And that boost will allow you to continue learning and help keep your self-esteem at healthy levels, which will consequently reflect on your productivity.

Optimizes decision-making

As we have seen above, languages are a good catalyst for brain function and neural connections. This is why, in the long run, we will be able to read, analyze, and adapt better to each situation and react accordingly. And as if this were not enough, it improves our ability to multitask, another useful skill to take into account.

As you can see, there are plenty of benefits and reasons to learn languages. It's up to you to decide which one, when and how. But we will talk about that in another post.