Why Should You Learn A Foreign Language?
So, this whole year (2023), I’ve been learning a foreign language. My target language is Spanish.
Why Spanish?
Because I want to travel to Colombia, particularly Medellin. That was the initial goal. Learn Spanish, go to Medellin, experience the culture.
I’m inspired by the Sun Also Rises by Hemingway and Tim Ferris’ The Four Hour Work Week to travel the world. And I’m doing that!
So, where did I start?
I started with the app Duolingo. Practiced daily.
Listened to a TON of Bad Bunny, and Romeo Santos. And popular Latin artists via Spotify.
Watched Youtube channels such as, Butterfly Spanish, Easy Spanish, and Dreaming Spanish.
Bought a couple books. Such as Harry Potter in Spanish, Easy Spanish, and Madrigal’s Magic Key to Spanish: A Creative and Proven Approach.
I spoke minimal Spanish in my job — “Buenos Dias, gracias.”
Two months into it, I could read and write well, but couldn’t speak and natives spoke WAY to fast for me to comprehend.
Damn, what to do?
I started taking private Spanish lessons. With native speakers of many Latin American countries through the website — Itaki.
I’ve taken lessons with speakers from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Peru. I even took a lesson in Portuguese — because I wanna visit Brazil!
Bar none, the best investment of this year has been native tutors from Itaki. I’ve had almost 100 lessons, and every lesson has been worth the money. 1000%. They’ve all been super nice, super sweet, helpful, and pushed me to the max. Also, classes are pretty cheap.
I’ve had a fulltime job during this whole process. I take lessons on the weekends, usually with 3 tutors a week. They all give me homework as well as my own activities (Youtube, Spanish Podcasts, etc.) I’m committed.
So recently, I got back from a solo trip from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and loved it! I was in a upper middle class with locals, and my Spanish practice helped. In fact, I don’t recommend going there without 6–8 month of continuous Spanish practice — you will be so lost! Believe me!
There’s many benefits to learning a new language. A bunch of them that helped me through my current journey.
Benefit #1 — Learn Something New
I went to a college preparatory school. I know how to sit down and study. We’ve got plenty of homework, essays, and exams. A lot of reading, and critical thinking.
From 9th grade to 12 grade the workload was high. I was never the best student, but I ended up with A’s and B’s.
Good, right?
Little did I know that all that nerdy stuff would pay off.
Last year — I studied IT. I was pretty committed. Watching Youtube videos. Reading an IT Foundations. Started building a computer (before I started becoming obsessed with travel and languages).
I have a screenwriting degree. Graduate in 2018.
I’ve studied acting and improv comedy for 4 years straight in my early 20s.
On the side, I’ve read great fiction, self help, autobiographies, comic books, etc.
I love learning new things!
And learning languages has quenched my thirst for knowledge.
I’m ALL IN.
Invested $1000 + in Itaki lessons. Which is the best platform to learn a foreign language!
If you like new things or you’re bored with life — learn a new language!
Benefit #2 — Gives You a Sense Of Purpose
I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in a LONG time.
Why?
Because I have purpose.
Humans need purpose to propel them forward. Especially in first world countries, where everything softer. And you can get ANYTHING shipped to you from ANYWHERE.
Like I said in my Dune article…
… As A.I. comes in changing the nature of work, folks are gonna look purposes in life other than work.
Traveling and learn new languages gives you purpose. It stretches your mind, connecting you to folks you never thought of. For example, the natives of Dominican Republic were SO nice to me. A short black traveler with physical disability. RANDOM folks helped me with my bags, catching taxi, ordering food, or even replacing my SIM card. EVEN Airport security were hospitable. They treat me better than citizens in my own country — I can’t believe it.
Never would of known this if I didn’t start studying Spanish.
Benefit #3 — Connecting To Cultures
I touched on this in #2.
But in high school, I was around many, many Asian people (Chinese, and Koreans). And got to experience a different culture.
I found East Asian culture to be a bit cliquish, introverted, studious, a bit collectivist. Many studied hard and played a lot of video games. Ate noodles, watched K dramas and anime, listened to modern East Asian music, etc.
I was around them 24/7, so I started doing it too.
I know a lot about East Asian culture, but didn’t know much about Latino culture.
Because of traveling and itaki lessons. I have an strong understanding of Mexican, Dominican, Colombian, and Puerto Rican culture. Latin culture, in general.
I found Latin culture to have a mixture of European, African and indengous culture. It’s very extroverted, social. Dancing, music, and having a good time are important. As well as family. Many Latinos live together in one house. Mom, Dad, older daughters and sons — well past ages 18. Which is kinda taboo in the U.S. If you’re a 25 year old dude living at home in the U.S. — people look at you weird.
It’s kinda cliquish as well. But if you know Spanish or the regional Spanish like Dominican Spanish — you’re good. You’re ‘in’.
These observations are so cool to me, because I never would of known them if I didn’t dig deep into Spanish.
After learning about it, I realized I love Latin culture. And have a love and appreciation for Latinos and Latinas. And I’ve learned a bunch from the people. My itaki teachers have been great.
You don’t get these type of insights until you start learning the language.
Benefit #4 — You’re Gonna Look Smart
Many, many, many people find it cool that I know Spanish, especially natives.
If I use basic phrases in Ubers or restaurants like “gracias” or “Si” or “Buenos dias” — natives’ ears perk up and they ask “Oh! you know Spanish.”
Many natives seem very happy that a gringo has taken his time out to learn the language. They wanna talk and connect and educate about they’re country.
For example, I peppered my tutor from Santo Domingo about the culture and things to do in Santo Domingo. I wanted to know and understand the culture. And when I went to Santo Domingo — I saw and ate all the native food. Went to the museums, went to the parks, went to the malls, went to grocery stores, and hung out with the locals.
Best time of my life, bar none.
That’s what learning Spanish does.
Benefit #5 — You’ll Learn How To talk
In my teens and early 20s, I was pretty shy and quiet. When I would go to public places, I was quiet and nice and shy. Blue pill like many westerners, the perfect gentlemen. Public speaking was scaring and doing job interviews was nerve wracking. It wasn’t until I started doing public speaking, then improv that I started turning around. I could actually talk to that pretty girl at the McDonalds counter. Amazing.
Fast forward ten years, later I’m pretty extroverted and can talk well. But after 100 + Spanish lessons, I DON’T SHUT UP. According to my co worker.
In English, I feel like I can talk about any topic, and connect with anyone. And I love English, so it doesn’t bother me.
Also, by forcing myself to take 3 lessons a week in Spanish, my willingness and ability to talk and connect with other has increased. So much so that it’s becoming one of my life goals: to connect with others.
If you a shy person, I recommend taking 50 plus lessons in Spanish. You’ll become really confident very fast.
Learning Spanish has changed my freaking life. Full stop.
So, if you decide to learn a new language — I recommend it. It’s life changing.
… If you wanna talk more about Spanish — you can tweet @JAKLHC
Nos Vemos!
