How to choose the language to study?

languages

 

How to choose the language to study?

 

You might know straight away which language you want to study. However sometimes the choice is not so simple and the variety of languages to choose from can make it overwhelming. Here are a couple of things to consider when choosing the language to study.

Purpose

The first thing you might want to think about is the purpose for which you want to learn a foreign language. Is it academic? Do you have a choice of languages to study at school or university? If so think of your future – which language may be beneficial for you in the future? Are you going to university abroad and the classes are going to be lead in another language? Think about the country you’re going to study in, because although Spanish is spoken in many countries it differs in each one of them. If you’re studying for purely personal reasons then your choice can be more flexible and is entirely up to you. Although you still might have a problem with deciding due to many possibilities. Think about your interests and if they relate to any language. Maybe you like Haruki Murakami’s literature and you’d want to read one of his books in Japanese in the future? Maybe you like French cinema and would like to watch the movies without subtitles? Think about how you would like to put your new acquired skills to use!

 

Perspectives

Consider your current job – is the company you’re working for doing business with international partners? Maybe with one nationality more than others? It would be useful for you to learn that language and become a great asset in the company. If you are looking for a job you might want to research languages in demand by employers. Employees, who know the not so common languages are usually sought by potential employers and for specific work. Learning languages helps develop skills, which are useful in the work environment. Read more here.

 

Difficulty

Languages have different difficulty when it comes to learning them. However this is a very subjective matter and depends mostly on your knowledge of other languages or your mother tongue.  Some people have a natural talent for languages, while others struggle. Don’t get discouraged! You can begin with a language which is easier for you and work your way up to one, which is more difficult. Each language can be challenging in a different way and it can be received differently by various individuals – for some pronunciation might be difficult, for others it may be grammar.  Remember, if you put in effort you can overcome any obstacle – stay positive.

 

Motivation

Motivation is key to learning new things and languages are no different. Do you stay motivated easily? You might want to consider this along with the difficulty of the language you choose. If you have a problem to stay motivated think about it in advance. Maybe there is someone who has a good influence on you, who can get you back on track. Maybe you want to learn with a friend and you can help each other out.

 

Possibility of studying abroad

If you plan to study abroad (not necessarily now, but in the future) think about the country you would go to and which would seem the right choice for you financially and when it comes to distance from you home country. It would be a shame to pass on the opportunity to prepare for such a great adventure, even if it’s further away in time. Studying abroad is perfect for learning foreign languages because you get to immerse yourself in the new culture. If this is something you are considering you might find this helpful.

 

Help

Travel can help you decide! Once you visit the country where the language you want to learn is spoken you will get a better idea of it. You will hear how it is spoken in everyday situations and in a casual setting. The culture can also catch your interest. Talking to friends who learn different languages can also help you decide. However remember their opinion is very subjective. Nonetheless you can ask them questions and find out more about the languages you are trying to choose from.

 

Means of learning

There are many ways to learn a foreign language. You can study by yourself with the use of books or a computer program. You can find a native speaker or a tutor. You can study at a language school in your city or even abroad if you choose to. The offer of language schools is abundant and if you find that overwhelming have a look here for some advice. Each method has its benefits, however it is a personal matter and preference.

 

This post is also available in: Polish

Find your perfect language school Search CourseFinders to find the course for you