For some, studying a foreign language can be daunting, for it may feel like an awkward introduction to a new world of grammar, vocabulary, as well as culture. But for others, this introduction means an entirely new world of opportunity and fun. And for some students, one language isn’t just enough; I happen to be one of them.
That’s why I decided to immerse myself in three different languages: German, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. At school, I take German 3 and Spanish 1, and on my own time, I study Mandarin Chinese.
Learning three at the same time is a challenge, but it’s pleasant two reasons.
The first is that all of these languages are practical and useful in various situations. If I can readily use more than one language, that could give me more opportunities for jobs, and it would look impressive on resumes and applications. I have also gotten to make some wonderful friends through my interest in language learning. I met one of my best friends through learning German on a language exchange app. I really like the fact that languages bring people together.
The second reason is because I simply find it fun. For me, studying languages is rewarding because they all have unique aspects to them that are interesting to compare to each other. Languages also come naturally. Of course, there are some concepts that might be challenging at first, but with practice, they become easy.
I got in touch with these three languages in very different ways. Mandarin is one of the four languages that my father speaks, and I always heard him speak Mandarin growing up. Having this foundation, I decided to try and expand my knowledge of the language. I plan on using Mandarin in the future for my intended career, along with my other two target languages. I would like to be fluent in Mandarin as soon as possible, and I am working hard toward this goal every day. Even though the characters can be a challenge at times, it is rewarding to have my efforts pay off.
I was exposed to German at a young age as well, although it was in a much smaller quantity than Mandarin. My mother spent one year in Germany, and she would tell me stories about her experience in the country. She was and still is particularly fond of the language, and she encouraged me to take German at school when the opportunity arose. I wanted to learn about the culture that she had the chance to experience through the language, and so far I have learned so much. By the time I finish German 4 next year, I would like to be at an advanced level of proficiency, and I am coming close to achieving that goal now.
Now that I think about it, nobody influenced my decision to take up Spanish. It was something I chose to do myself. Spanish is a very practical language to know, and I decided that it would pay off later to know the language. I would again like to become fluent in Spanish as quickly as possible. So far, it has not been difficult at all and comes quite easily.
Overall, learning three languages has been a wonderful experience. I am glad that I have had the chances to immerse myself in three languages, and I can’t wait to see where this passion will lead me.
Photo credit: pinterest.com, taiwanese-secrets.com, and master-and-more.eu
