Learning a second language can be a challenge, and this grows more true the older we get and the less removed from brain puzzles and mentally stimulating activities we become. That sentence was not meant to discourage or depress anyone, nor should it dampen our interest in learning. Regardless of our age and education levels, learning a second language is not only great for our brains but can also enrich our lives and expand our cultural horizons. For instance, if we are socialized as bi-lingual individuals we already have an advantage over mono-linguists in our associative and abstract thinking capacities. In fact, this is actually a counter argument to the speaking only English in schools and other public facilities campaign. The opponents argue that the true reason for this is that the minority children who are typically bi-lingual in language orientation will have an inherent advantage over the dominant mono-lingual culture. This is furthered by the reality that many high school students are required to take a second language and it is almost always a requirement for an undergraduate college degree. If you enter into these phases of your academic career already fluent in another language, not only is your mind already at an advantage, but you are light years ahead of your classmates who speak one language only.
Never minding the political associations to language and the inherent disadvantage to being mono-lingual, learning a new language is a great idea for anyone. And it can certainly boost most career and income potentials to be bi-lingual, particularly when this is in English and either French or Spanish. And while French is actually more largely spoken around the world, Spanish is by far the more used language in the United States. However, it still holds true that if you can speak both French and English you are likely going to be able to communicate to someone in almost every country of the world. Of course the majority of people learning a new language are unlikely to tour the world, you can imagine the impact on your vacation if you know the language of the indigenous culture. If you are an adult who is considering learning a new language, first you should be congratulated, and then you should be made aware that there is some good news. It might be a challenge, but there are a variety of resources available to you in real time/existence as well as online and with various software programs. And regardless of whether your learning one of the major and most popularly used ones or some abstract language, there are some great Spanish games , French worksheets and language programs that will support you along the way. These are also extremely useful if you’re planning your study at a college or other classroom setting.