The Art of Language

Learning a language is more than just learning new words. With new languages comes the transfer of new ideas, opportunities, and friendships. When I do my language learning, I don’t find myself just memorizing vocabulary or grammar rules or stressing over when to use the pretérito or the imperfecto (seriously, why does Spanish have so many past tenses?); I find myself becoming immersed in the histories and stories that come with those languages and their cultures.

(P.S. Skip to the end for the best ways to learn a language quickly and easily!)

Why We Learn Language in School

We wonder why we’re expected to take language classes in school. The reason is simple: as with all other classes, language classes are meant to prepare us for the future. 

Language learning helps with communication skills, both in the language you’re learning and your own native tongue. When you learn a language and the culture associated with it, you are more capable of communicating with more people across the world, paving the way for new friendships and acquisition of new knowledge.

On the practical side, colleges value proficiency in more than one language and are likely to highly regard your application. In the case of job prospects, nearly 90% of employers in the United States rely on multilingual employees. They not only look for people to speak with other non-English speakers, but people who can use communication skills acquired in other languages to better communicate in English.

Words = Brain Food?

Countless studies show that learning several languages benefits the brain. Using MRI technology, researchers have found that the brains of bilingual people have more neurons (brain cells) and dendrites (connections between the brain cells) than those who have only ever spoken one language. In addition, language learning exercises the brain, making it easier to concentrate, stay alert, and take in new information.

As we grow older, we find that language learning improves memory, and switching between different tasks becomes so much easier. This is because the process of memorization, application, and creation exercises the brain and trains it to be more adaptive and flexible. This exercise also decreases the effects of cognitive diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s in the future.

Best Ways to Learn a Language (and Ace Your Language Tests)

Everyone has their own ways of learning languages. Whichever way you prefer, just remember: context, context, context. Some people go years only learning vocabulary and grammar, yet cannot hold a single conversation. Here are some of my favorite ways to learn a language.

• Duolingo - A personal favorite for learning the basics of vocabulary, sentence structure, and language in context at your own pace

• Music Apps - Listening to music in your target language is a quick and easy way to get accustomed to pronunciation and certain words in context

• Social Media - For those of you who have it, follow creators or musicians who make content in your target language, or take a look at language-learning accounts

• Youtube and Streaming Services - Watching shows and videos practices your listening comprehension

• News Outlets - For those who like current events, reading articles from international news outlets (like El País for Spanish, La Repubblica for Italian, and Le Monde for French) teaches you words in context

• Knowt - A slightly better version of Quizlet, Knowt is an amazing way to create vocabulary flashcards (using words from books, shows, and articles) and practice them with free unlimited tests and Learn Mode. We recommend using words from books, shows, and articles to help you master your words!

About the Author:

Leanza is a high school student, a lifelong Mensan, and our Teen Rep Event Coordinator. When she's not writing books or solving riddles, she's exploring languages, cultures, and the world of law. Click here to learn more about Leanza!