Once you’ve learned a new language, it’s hard to go back. You develop a specific mindset and gain experiences that you can only have from learning a foreign language.
If you studied a foreign language, here are some things that you’ll immediately be able to relate to. If you’re only able to speak one language (English), these are references that you can look forward to.
1. It’s easy to get started. But so hard to master it.
Language learners understand that like any skill, getting started is the easy part. But to go from beginner to intermediate level, then intermediate level to advanced is another ball game. What’s the real secret to learning a language faster? Consistency, daily routines, and dedication.
2. Your private teacher becomes the highlight of your day
Having a private teacher can accelerate your learning speed. When you start building a relationship with these teachers, it can become one of the best things to look forward to in your stressful day. There’s laughter, learning, and growth that happens with each session, and it can become addicting.
3. Going to the same ethnic restaurant again
From sushi to Korean BBQ, we only find ourselves going to that same restaurant again, not only to enjoy the delicious food but to practice your target language.
4. That feeling when you’ve just had your first conversation with a native speaker
Best feeling. Ever.
5. You now travel for a completely different reason
When you can speak a new language, you can start building relationships with native speakers living in the country. Travel will never feel the same again.
6. The urge to start learning yet another language
We’ve all had the desire to become a polyglot and being able to speak dozens of languages. But making sure we’ve established a solid foundation with one language before moving onto another is crucial.
7. Someone learns that you speak a foreign language, and now wants you to translate everything
Then you realize how little you actually know, and how much more you need to practice.
8. The urge to hang out with anyone that speaks the language you’re learning
When you’re first starting to learn a language, you either use it or lose it. It’s critical to find opportunities to practice your speaking skills with anyone that would speak with you in your target language. Find meetup events, conversation exchanges, online language teaching websites — anything!
9. You’ve mistakenly greeted someone in a foreign language
Especially after you just finished speaking with your private teacher.
10. Impress the people around you by ordering Tacos in Spanish
Even if you’re not President Obama.
11. When someone uses the “everybody speaks English” argument
While over 1 Billion people speak English as their first or second language, that’s still 85% of the world that do not. As the world becomes a more multicultural place by the day, the diversity of languages spoken will only continue to increase.
12. When people talk about you in a foreign language… but you understand them
13. When you learn how to speak Spanish, and realize that there are 10+ places that speak a different type of Spanish
From Argentina, Colombia, Spain, and Mexico – they all come with different slangs, accents, and even grammar rules that will continuously confuse you!
14. The first things you want to learn are the dirty words in the language
Let’s face it, these are the best words to learn. It’s why I first learned all the dirty words in Spanish when I traveled to South America.
15. You’ve studied the language for so long that you forget how to say something in your native language.
Hola? Bonjour? Hello? It happens to the best of us.
