How to choose a language to learn

February 13, 2008 at 4:24 pm (how to) (how to, language)

So, you know you want to learn a new language but don’t know which one to learn. How do you decide?

First, do you want to learn a new language for personal or professional reasons? If professional, your choices may be limited. Since you’re reading this, I’m assuming your company isn’t requiring only one specific language but that you have a least a few options to choose from. If the sky is the limit, then take a look at countries in which your business may take you. It wouldn’t make much sense to learn French if your company is mainly dealing with businesses in Japan. Write out a list of countries in which your company does business. Do any or many of these appeal to you?

If you decide to learn a language for personal reasons, it may be easier to decide. When your girlfriend lives in Germany, it’s a good bet that German will be your language of choice. If you just want to learn a new language for personal development, look to your friends since they can be excellent resources. Do you know a lot of people who speak Spanish? Then perhaps signing up for a Spanish class will work best since you will have lots of people to converse with and guide you in your studies. Or maybe, like me, you’ve just always wanted to learn a new language and simply need to which one would be best for you. If there are several you’re inclined towards, write them out in a list.

Second, take a look at your list. Do any of the languages appeal to you more than others? Why? When I first looked at my list, I had written down French, German, and Swedish. Each appeals to me for a different reason. French reminds me of my Mom (and I love France), German reminds me of my Opa, my Dad, and friends in Germany (and I love Germany and Austria), Swedish was the only language my grandmother spoke until she was 8 and I have a Swedish prayer memorized from when I was little. Even if you’re learning a new language for professional reasons, it is good to have a personal reason as well. If you choose a language you’re interested in, then you’re more likely to stick with it and study harder than if it’s just b/c your boss thinks it would be a good idea.

Third, now that you have your languages and reasons listed, research your opportunities. Are there classes in those languages at nearby schools or through community programs or adult education classes? Is there one language that will be easy to learn anywhere, but another that will be difficult to find courses for? Are you going to one of those countries on an upcoming trip?

Sometimes something as simple as class schedule can help you make a final decision. Maybe the Russian class is only offered on the evening you have a prior obligation, but the Italian class fits your schedule perfectly. Look for future opportunities as well. Currently, I’m in an area where there are Swedish courses offered. I know there will be French courses offered almost anywhere I may choose to live in the future, so I would rather take advantage of my current opportunity to learn Swedish in a classroom environment.

Finally, if you’re in an area that doesn’t offer classes, look online! There are many courses and tools offered for free. While I would always advocate classroom learning first, if you are dedicated, there is much to be learned online and through books.

If you’re learning a new language now, how did you decide it was the right one for you?

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