| Many of us have at one time or another | | | | stretching ourselves mentally and emotionally. |
| fantasized about becoming fluent in a foreign | | | | There are few better feelings in the world than |
| language. At that point, most people take the | | | | the first time you have a meaningful exchange |
| path toward half-hearted attempts at learning but | | | | with a native speaker of the language you are |
| never really become proficient. Meanwhile, a brave | | | | studying. |
| few commit themselves and really make it | | | | Reason #3: Provides new avenues for making |
| happen. What makes the folks who choose the | | | | money: The world is getting smaller, but not |
| latter path undertake the countless hour of study, | | | | everyone speaks your native language. Learning a |
| occasional moments of embarrassment, and the | | | | foreign language opens you up to a world of |
| uncertainty of success? | | | | opportunities both abroad and at home. Banks, |
| My road to mastery of a foreign language - | | | | technology companies, consulting firms, |
| Japanese - began in college. It was tough going at | | | | international trading firms, and educational |
| first, but over the ensuing 15 or so years I | | | | institutions around the world are always looking to |
| attained a high level of proficiency in the language: | | | | give well-paying jobs to people who speak a |
| I have given lectures at Japanese universities, | | | | foreign language. |
| critiqued essays for Japanese college students, | | | | Reason #4: Expands your consciousness: When I |
| and translated books from English into Japanese. | | | | am speaking or writing Japanese, I immediately |
| And along the way, I have come to believe in the | | | | switch into a different mode of awareness. You, |
| inherent value of learning and mastering a foreign | | | | too, will find that as you become proficient in the |
| language. | | | | language you are studying, you will not be able to |
| Here are 5 reasons to why you should consider | | | | avoid seeing the world a little bit differently: |
| learning a foreign language: | | | | almost like you have two sets of lenses through |
| Reason #1: Expands your social network: The act | | | | which to view the same reality. |
| of studying a foreign language can help you bond | | | | Reason #5: Makes you more globally aware: As |
| with fellow travelers along the same path. And, | | | | you study a foreign language, you will inevitably |
| once you become proficient in the language, your | | | | be exposed to the culture, history and sociology |
| social network of potential contacts and | | | | of the regions or countries with which your |
| acquaintances will increase by the thousands or | | | | language is associated. With ongoing environmental |
| millions as you become able to communicate with | | | | challenges, global trade and regional conflicts, |
| a whole new population of people. | | | | becoming more globally aware may be an |
| Reason #2: Gives you sense of accomplishment: | | | | essential part of survival in the 21st century. |
| The sense of accomplishment one feels upon | | | | The reasons why one should learn a foreign |
| becoming fluent in a foreign language is directly | | | | language are many. Whether you intend to |
| proportional to how difficult it is to learn. Like | | | | expand your awareness, achieve a deeper |
| anything else in life, we gain a feeling of | | | | understanding of yourself or just want to increase |
| self-confidence and satisfaction when we | | | | your value in the marketplace, learning a foreign |
| overcome challenges. Because languages are so | | | | language may be one of the best investments |
| multi-dimensional, learning a language means really | | | | you can make. |