Why You Should Never Learn A Second Language
Learning a second language is often touted as one of the best things you can do for your career. As the world becomes increasingly connected, being multilingual or at the very least bilingual is seen as a valuable skill that can set you apart from other job candidates.
Additionally, learning a second language can also have cognitive benefits, such as improved critical thinking skills, enhanced memory, and better multitasking abilities.
Despite all of these potential benefits, there are also several compelling reasons why you might not want to bother learning a second language. In this article, we’ll explore some of them.
9 reasons why you shouldn’t learn a second language
1. It’s time-consuming
Learning a new language takes a lot of time and effort, and let’s face it, most of us are lazy! There’s so much to learn – grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation – which will take a considerable amount of time and effort to master.
Even with the so-called “easy” languages, such as Spanish or Dutch, it will take at least a year of regular study to reach a proficient level. And if you’re learning a “harder” language, like Mandarin Chinese or Arabic, say goodbye to your social life for the next few years.
2. It can be boring
Another reason why you might not want to learn a second language is that it can be quite boring. A lot of the material you’ll need to learn is dry and uninteresting, such as grammar rules and vocabulary lists.
You could, in theory, learn to speak a language without focusing on these things at the start, but sooner or later, you’ll need to learn them in order to progress further.
3. It’s not necessary
Unless you’re planning on moving to another country, doing business abroad, or traveling extensively, there’s really no need to learn another language.
Most people don’t need to be bilingual or multilingual, and if you’re happy communicating in just one language, then there’s no need to add another one to your plate.
4. Everyone speaks English anyway
Piggybacking on the previous point, you won’t need to learn another language because English is so widely spoken.
English is the lingua franca (common language) in many parts of the world, spoken by over 1.3 billion people as either a first or second language. So even if you’re going to a non-English speaking country, you’ll find that your English skills will be more than enough to get by, especially in tourist areas.
5. It can be difficult
Learning a new language can be extremely difficult, especially if it’s completely different from any language you know, and you’re not all that familiar with the grammar rules in your native language.
The grammar rules of other languages might not make sense, the pronunciation might be tricky, and the writing system could be entirely different from what you’re used to. All of these factors will make learning a new language a challenge.
6. You might not be any good at it
Some people are just naturally better at languages than others. If you don’t have a knack for it, you’ll probably just end up feeling frustrated.
Now, this isn’t to say that you won’t be able to learn a new language if you’re not a “language person.” With enough hard work and dedication, anyone can learn a new language. But if you don’t have a natural aptitude for it, it will be that much harder and more frustrating. And it could prompt you to give up quickly.
7. It can be expensive
Depending on how you’re planning on learning a new language, things could get pretty expensive. If you’re hiring a tutor or taking classes, those costs will add up quickly. Language learning books also don’t come cheap.
There are cheaper options available, of course, such as online courses and apps, but they might not be as effective as in-person classes.
8. It might cause anxiety
For some people, learning a new language can cause a lot of anxiety. The thought of having to speak another language is daunting as you’re always afraid of making mistakes and embarrassing yourself.
With language learning, you will make a million mistakes, so if you’re a perfectionist who can’t handle that, then it’s probably not for you.
9. You’ll never sound like a native speaker
No matter how hard you try, you’ll always have an accent when speaking another language, and you’ll never speak the language with native fluency.
Unlike child language learners, adult learners have a harder time picking up languages naturally, and will always sound like foreigners when speaking. If your goal is to sound like a native speaker, you’ll probably be disappointed.
Conclusion
If you’ve got your heart set on learning a second language, then nothing we say will deter you. That’s great! Learning a new language can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
But if you’re on the fence about whether or not to learn a new language, we hope that this article has given you some things to think about. It’s not an easy task, and it’s certainly not for everyone. So before you commit to anything, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.
We’d also suggest choosing a language that you’re interested in and that’s considered easy, as this will make the learning process a lot more enjoyable. And if you’re not sure where to start, check out the video below to see the 10 easiest languages for English speakers to learn: