Learning a foreign language is undoubtedly a great achievement. There is an ongoing debate about why people learn a new language. While some believe that the only reason that drives someone to learn a new language is solely to travel or work in that country, others believe that there are various other reasons that can push someone to put effort in learning a foreign language.
On the one hand, it is vital to learn the language of the country you are visiting or planning to work in. A language barrier does not only prevent people from understanding each other, it also makes it almost impossible to develop deep, meaningful social relationships. Grasping a new language helps discover the country’s customs and traditions. Therefore, mastering the language of your entourage helps you fit in better and achieve better results at school or at work, and even helps you enjoy your stay a lot better.
On the other hand, working or traveling to another country are certainly not the only motives to learn that country’s language. Some people are passionate about a certain country’s history or culture. Others familiarize themselves with a language that enables them to communicate better with a loved one. Moreover, with the current fast-paced and high-achieving work environment we live in, mastering your first language is not sufficient anymore. Many people tend to learn other skills and languages to be able to compete in the current job market. As an example, with the surge of Korean culture lovers, many young people around the world are learning Korean out of pure love for the culture.
In conclusion, while it is true that traveling or working in a country should motivate people to learn that country’s language in order to live a smoother experience and fit in better and create stronger social relations, it has never been the only reason why people acquire knowledge of foreign languages. Some do so out of pure passion and admiration for a country, others to communicate better with family members or loved ones. Learning a new language is an enriching experience that everyone should strive to achieve.