| Learning another language can be a lot of fun, but | | | | conversation sounds more appealing, consider |
| even reaching conversational level takes a | | | | starting with any language that attracts you. |
| significant amount of time and effort. The | | | | Maybe you want to study Irish Gaelic because for |
| commitment language learning requires is part of | | | | whatever reason, you find it interesting. You |
| why so many people who want to learn another | | | | might not be of Irish decent, work with any Irish |
| language haven't really started yet. If you've been | | | | people, or ever plan to visit Ireland, but if |
| hesitating to start learning a new language for | | | | something about the language draws you in, why |
| fear of wasting time with the wrong one, here | | | | not learn a few phrases? |
| are a few things to consider. | | | | Hobbies are also a good source of ideas. A love |
| Consider your Long-Term Plans | | | | of a culture's literature, music or movies is enough |
| If you love the sound of French and find the | | | | reason to at least dabble in the language. Have a |
| culture interesting, it doesn't matter that you can't | | | | passion for Italian cuisine? Why not learn enough |
| pick up and fly to France next week or even | | | | Italian to read recipes in the original. That way you |
| next year. As long as you're fairly sure you'll want | | | | can surf the Web and get Italian recipes straight |
| to visit France some day, the time you spend | | | | from the locals. |
| studying the language will be worth it. This is | | | | Indecision or Procrastination? |
| particularly true if you're considering a more | | | | Choosing a language that's useful and interesting |
| widely spoken language. In that case, you may | | | | to you personally is important, but don't let |
| find a use for your language skills before you | | | | indecision hold you back from real learning. It's |
| ever leave home. | | | | easy to let yourself believe you can't decide when |
| Naturally, your career plans also come into play. | | | | in reality you don't know where or how to start |
| Even if your career doesn't require a second | | | | or you're a little intimidated by the idea of learning |
| language, look beyond the obvious and you may | | | | a completely different language. If you've been |
| see a need for one. An accountant doesn't | | | | deliberating between two or three languages that |
| absolutely need to know another language, but in | | | | all interest you, just pick one, enroll in a class or |
| an area with a lot of Russian-speaking new | | | | pick up a good teach-yourself course, and get |
| arrivals, a Russian-speaking accountant will get | | | | started. |
| more clients. | | | | Even if you lose interest in a particular language, |
| Let Interest Guide You | | | | the time you spent studying will leave you with |
| Aiming for fluency in a language that will further | | | | potentially useful knowledge as well as experience |
| your career isn't the only worthy language learning | | | | that will help you learn other languages in the |
| goal, though. If learning just enough to hold a basic | | | | future. |