10 good reasons to want to learn a foreign language!

Developing your creativity, living abroad, improving your spelling and even being sexier! Here are 10 good, even excellent, reasons to want to learn a foreign language such as English, German, Spanish or of course Dutch according to Languages ​​and Travel, a language travel agency.

• It makes you smarter

It's proven that people who learn a foreign language achieve higher results than others on general tests and even in more unfamiliar subjects like mathematics. Being bilingual helps develop attention span, and makes it easier to understand and solve problems.

• Make better decisions

According to a study Researchers at the University of Chicago have found that people are better able to make rational decisions when doing so in a foreign language. Because the emotional connection to the language is less strong than with one's native tongue, we maintain a more objective distance from the problem and are therefore more rational.

• Better understanding the world

Learning a foreign language also means discovering another way of thinking and representing the world. Did you know that the French expression "chat qu'on a dans la gorge" (cat in the throat) is a German expression for a frog? Your perception of the world will change depending on the language you use. This learning helps you to better observe your surroundings and develop new perspectives. People who are fluent in more than one language are said to have a greater ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood, between the essential and the trivial.

• Boost your CV

In Belgium, knowledge of Dutch, English, and French is a significant advantage in the job market. German and Spanish are also highly valued by companies. In several sectors, certain languages ​​are even in high demand! Perhaps you want to work in international trade and discover other parts of the world? Learn Chinese. Are you aiming for a career in engineering? Arabic and Portuguese are your best options. Russian is also highly sought after in the import-export sector.

• Develop your creativity!

When you study English, Portuguese, or Dutch, you expand your circle of friends while stepping outside your usual comfort zone. You are exposed to other ways of thinking, cultures, traditions, and perspectives. All of this develops your open-mindedness and imagination, and also stimulates your creativity!

• Improve your spelling in your native language

Bad at spelling? Yes, learning German, Dutch, or any other language can improve your spelling skills . Learning new grammar, sentence structures, or conjugations makes us more attentive to the construction of our own language and enriches it both orally and in writing, according to experts!

• It's good for your health!

Learning a different grammar is a significant undertaking and stimulates a very special muscle: the brain. Think of sentence structures in Dutch or declensions in German. It's not for nothing that we talk about mental gymnastics! This exercise also has positive effects on memory. Furthermore, mastering a second language can delay the onset of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's by up to five years!

• It's sexy

It's well known that different English and Spanish accents have their charm (and the same goes for French accents). According to a recent survey, 270 British dating agencies stated that "people who speak at least one foreign language are more attractive." 63% of respondents in this survey had already dated someone who spoke another language. Here are the top 5 sexiest accents according to the French in 2014:

1. Irish
2. Italian
3. Brazilian Portuguese
4. Spanish
5. French

Depending on the country you live in, this top 5 can vary greatly. For example, in many countries, the sexiest accent remains… French .

• To move abroad

Learning an additional language can broaden your horizons. Some foreign languages, like Spanish , open up vast opportunities abroad. Did you know that it's the third most spoken language in the world after Chinese and English? It's considered one of the easiest languages ​​to learn. Something to keep in mind…

• And of course, for travel!

Meeting fascinating people, discovering new cultures, or simply knowing what's on your plate at a restaurant—knowing the language of the country you're traveling to is a real advantage. Every traveler will tell you: you learn so much more about a country and its people when you can communicate with them . The exchange is unique and therefore all the more enriching!

Ready to learn a foreign language? At Languages ​​and Travel, we guide you whatever your project !