Technology & Language Learning

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With the advent of new technologies in communication and travel, our world is becoming increasingly international. We have never been closer to globalisation and because of this, knowing more than one language, or being a polyglot, can be a very practical skill.

Charlemagne once said: �To have another language is to possess a second soul.� Whether you want to learn a new language for business or pleasure, the knowledge can enrich your life very effectively. Learning a language isn�t easy. Significant effort does have to be put in, and you can�t simply learn by osmosis while sleeping. Still, if you are motivated, there are many ways available to learn, especially if you want to study some of the more widely spoken dialects. For example, if you want to learn French, or learn English, or learn Spanish, there is online language learning available, as well as language learning software. These can be fun, and using them makes it possible to learn a new tongue at home, as long as you are dedicated. However, this self study is usually only possible for well known languages.

Finding software or audio books for more obscure languages is nearly impossible. You may wonder how long this kind of self study will take, and to a certain extent the answer depends on you. However, if you are very devoted, some say that you can do it in 200 hours, as long as the language you are learning are close to your original tongue. (For example, if a German speaker where to learn Dutch, or a French Speaker where to learn Italian). Otherwise, fluency can take two years. Of course nothing helps you learn a new language faster than practicing it. Though, for example, if you�re trying to learn Spanish, you don�t have to go all the way to Spain to immerse yourself. You could find a native speaker in your area to practice with. Or you could find newspaper and magazine articles in the language you are trying to learn. Finding these things becomes easier and easier with the Internet and other internationally used communication tools. Learning a new language won�t be easy, but to thrive in today�s internationally connected world it is almost a necessity. You will find a world of possibilities have opened, and it�s knowledge you will certainly never regret having.