This is a time when most of us are finding new hobbies, whether it is cooking, gardening, or reading. But have you thought about how fun and interesting it could be to learn a new language?
There are many pros to learning a new language and what better time to do this than now, when you have more time on your hands. Yes, we might be restricted now but this won’t last forever, so don’t wait until the virus has disappeared to realise what you could have been doing with the free time when you had it.
One of the greatest benefits of learning a new language is that you can do so online and for little to no cost. One of the best language applications that exists out there is called Duolingo and it has just about any language you can think of.
At a time like this, where there is so much uncertainty and concern as it relates to one’s financial stability, think of this as a potential business opportunity or investment. If your previous job didn’t work out, having a new language on your resume certainly puts a cherry on the cake.
But aside from potential financial opportunities, learning a new language has countless benefits and has proven to be good for one’s physical and mental health as it keeps your brain active, makes you feel relaxed and immerses you into a whole new culture.
When this all passes, the Hispanic tourists will continue to visit and we will still have to interact with our visiting Brazilian neighbours. Just think of how nice it would be for us to be able to speak with them in their language for a change?
You certainly don’t have to limit yourself to Spanish or Portuguese, let’s not forget our Dutch and French neighbours and the many Chinese that we have here in Guyana. So, your choices are unlimited.
Here are some additional benefits of learning a new language:
Better Decision-Making Skills: Being able to speak another language can help you make better decisions. Studies have shown that people who speak another language are better able to pick up nuances and subtleties in any given situation. A heightened appreciation of the complexities of a situation can lead to more rational decision-making in many areas of life. In other words, speaking another language can improve your life through better decision-making.
Improved memory: In several studies conducted among bilingual children, it was shown that they had improved memory as opposed to children who only spoke one language. So now may be an ideal time to include your children in your quest to learn a new language.
Learning a new culture: Traveling might be off limits for now but learning a new language teaches you about a new culture. And you get to learn about this culture through learning about the various customs and different types of foods and cultural practices. So while you learn, let your imagination go astray.
Better cognitive abilities: For whatever reason, bilingual or multilingual people have better cognitive abilities. They tend to be more intelligent and their capacity to multi task is better than persons who are monolingual.
Delayed dementia: Studies have shown that older people who are bilingual or multilingual may have a later onset of dementia as opposed to those persons speaking only one language.
Alicia Roopnaraine is a Psychologist at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s Psychiatric Department. You can send questions or comments to her at aliciaroopnaraine@gmail.com
