WHY Learn a new language?
Many students learn a new language because it is required, but there are many other reasons people learn:
- Preparation to study abroad
- To be able to communicate when travelling
- To keep the mind sharp – learning a new language helps with cognitive abilities
- To learn more about a culture
- Heritage languages – feeling connected to one’s ancestors
WHEN to learn a new language?
Studies show that it’s best for a child to learn a new language under the age of 10, and kids up to 18 have a slight advantage in mastering a new language over adults. This does not stop adults from learning new languages, but their reasons for learning a new language are typically different.
Many adults learn a new language to help them communicate for travel or work. This might require less mastery of grammar and written language skills, favoring basic verbal communication that can be memorized versus actually learning how to conjugate verbs.
WHICH languages are most spoken and taught worldwide?
Chinese – the most spoken first language worldwide, with over 1.1 billion speakers
English – the most spoken second language worldwide, with over 1.5 billion speakers including as a foreign language
Hindi – over 600M speakers worldwide
Spanish – over 550M speakers worldwide, including many second language speakers in the USA
French – rounding out the list at #5 with over 300M speakers worldwide, some predictions expect French will more than double the number of speakers by 2050 due to the growing population and globalization of Africa.
HOW do people learn new languages?
Learning a new language looks different today than it did in 2000. Approximately a third of all language learners use a language learning app. However, many experts consider that apps should be viewed more as a supplement than a standalone language learning tool for true mastery.
80% of all language learners trust the tried-and-true method of learning a new language in a traditional classroom. In-person learning allows students to converse with classmates and the teacher. In-person language learning is usually supplemented with learning tools, such as:
- Printed coursebooks
- Web-based digital materials
- Language learning apps
- eLibraries with foreign language books and stories to practice reading, reading aloud, and testing comprehension
More and more people are learning a new language online. Not only is it convenient, but it is often inexpensive when compared to in-person learning. Online language learning can be offered in various formats:
- Fully online, self-paced
- Fully online, teacher-led
- Online Instructor-led
- Tutoring
- App-based
Each format has its pros and cons. For instance, anecdotal evidence would have one believe that popular app-based learning (not teacher-led) is better for basic reading and minimal speaking skills to help one get around on a trip or used more for entertainment and to keep skills sharp compared to teacher- or instructor-led learning.
Most teachers I know who teach a world language use a combination of print and digital resources to teach classes. Some rely solely on digital resources with optional printouts to hand out to students for activities and to accompany lessons. Using technology for assessments helps free up teachers’ time from grading exams. So, while 80% of language learning still happens in a classroom, the use of technology is still integral in modern-day language learning.
WHAT are the benefits of learning a new language?
Learning a new language has countless benefits. The first is the ability to communicate with people. This might be people in a neighbouring country, coworkers, family, or even in your own city if you have immigrated.
Looking at some of the other not-so-obvious benefits, evidence shows speaking multiple languages helps one develop a better memory, improves problem-solving skills, and can help one build social connections.
We’ve looked at why, when, and how people learn languages, which languages are most spoken, and what the benefits are of learning another language. I personally have studied and, at various times, been fluent or conversational in French, German, and Portuguese, and I also studied Japanese but was never even conversational. Japanese was, by far, the hardest to study as I also had to learn two new phonetic alphabets and a third character-based writing system to study the language. Studying these diverse cultures and languages opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and helped me build stronger social connections. Not only that, but I have also fallen back on my language skills many times over the years while working and vacationing.
I work with many ELT and language-learning resources. Book a call or email me if you are looking to source new content or curriculum for language learning. I would happily share new content and core and supplemental resources and help you negotiate strategic and reseller agreements to bring innovative resources to your market.
Feel free to check my blog where I talked about The Impact of AI in Education.
