Last week I talked about lifelong learning, and the benefits it can provide, including increased self-esteem, self-purpose, and memory. I also mentioned that I have also been engaging in lifelong learning recently, and I would like to share with you, my experiences.
I have been studying languages and I have had mixed results. I have been studying Mandarin and also Thai language. The Mandarin course was a big 3 hour class on the Saturday morning. It took a lot out of me. I had plenty of opportunities to speak the language and I also learned a lot of new vocabulary, but for me 3 hours in one sitting is too long.
On the other hand, my Thai language course is 2 hours, twice on weekdays. This course had the opposite effect. I took it after a long day at work and I felt that it invigorated me. I was able to learn something new everyday and I didn’t get too tired.
I really feel that for me, that the feeling of self-accomplishment through learning helps me to keep going. Just simply enjoying studying a subject may have its benefits, but if I don’t get any lasting benefits I will not have the drive to continue. I am sure this is the same for many people.
I think that for me, the benefits that I enjoy most are how language learning can unlock the secrets of culture. When I learn words that cannot be translated exactly into English, it makes me realize that concepts are expressed differently throughout the world.
Apparently, I am not alone in this belief. It has been documented that learning a language opens your mind and helps you to forget commonly thought stereotypes about culture. It allows you to step into the world of the speakers of the language you are learning and gives you and overall broader view on life.
According to another study, 651 speakers of two or more languages took part in a questionnaire and it revealed that there was a documented increase in open-mindedness in regards to culture; however, it was only a small increase. Therefore, it could be determined that just the action of being interested in learning a new language signified an interest in the culture, and learning the language enhanced the open mindedness of the culture.
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