Languages are fun!!! 🥰🇫🇷🇮🇹
Welcome to the language page of my website, or should I say, bienvenue and benvenuti!
In this blog post, I will go over a few important benefits of learning languages and how they can enrich your life as they have done for mine. I have been learning languages (seriously, might I add) for over 6 years now, and thanks to my dedication and perfectionist tendencies (previous tendencies), I speak French and Italian fluently, and I am learning new languages as they come.
Butttt wait, before we begin?
I also host a free online Italian conversation group. Feel free to contact me using the form on my home page! I also offer 1-1 French conversations at a price. Message me for more info. All levels are welcome
Okayyyy! Now let’s get started, shall we?
Why learn a language?
I am extremely passionate about learning in all forms, but I believe there is something unique about learning how to express oneself in another language. It adds more layers and depth to expression, personality and allows us to tap into a vast world of possibilities, such as meeting people who speak the language, working, travelling with ease, settling into a new country, building community and most importantly, creating memories that last a lifetime. I want to quickly go over some of the main advantages of learning a language; some are commonly known, like improving cognitive abilities, others are a lot more nuanced and interesting to say the least
1. Cognitive Benefits
Improves memory and mental flexibility.
Enhances problem-solving and multitasking skills.
Delays cognitive decline with age.
2. Communication and Social Benefits
Opens doors to connecting with more people worldwide.
Deepens understanding of other cultures.
Increases empathy, because you see the world from new perspectives.
3. Professional and Academic Benefits
Boosts career opportunities and salary potential.
Makes travel, study, and work abroad easier.
Improves your ability to learn additional languages later.
4. Personal Growth
Builds confidence and self-discipline.
Encourages creativity (you think in new ways, play with words, experiment with expression).
Can deepen emotional expression — sometimes a feeling is easier to express in another language.
5. Brain and Health Benefits
Strengthens neural pathways.
Improves focus and attention.
Can even enhance decision-making by giving you a slight “mental pause” in another language
With all that being said 🙊:
I know what you are thinking, this all sounds great on paper (or on a device screen), but learning a language is simply too difficult after a certain age, or it is tedious, or the time to learn is simply not there, or I am not gifted enough to learn, or I am too weird and awkward to learn, or I should have learnt as a kid and many more. I used to believe these things before I got started, huge emphasis on being too weird to learn, but worry not, for I am here to save the day. Well, I will help you out with the language thing, of course 😉
I have come up with a list of the most common limiting beliefs that everyone (and I mean everyone!!) has before they start, and some advice. Here they are:
1. “I’m too old to learn a new language .” 👴🏼👵🏼
Many adults believe they’ve missed the window for language learning.
Truth: Adults can absolutely achieve high fluency; maturity often brings better discipline, focus, and life experience that can accelerate learning.
In a sense, now that you are older, you know how to learn and what works for you. No need to spend time doing boring exercises and buying all the courses or books or conjugating verbs in the present-progressive in the future-past-imperfect-subjunctive. Okay, phew, I don’t know where that came from 😅, all that to say, do what works for you, and I promise you, you will find your flow.
2. “I don’t have the talent for languages.”
People assume they need a “gift” for languages.
Truth: Consistent practice and immersion outweigh natural talent. Language learning is skill development, not innate magic.
I know this might be hard to believe, but talent only gets you so far. You still have to cultivate discipline and develop the skill brick by brick, just like anything worth doing
3. “I must be perfect to speak.”
Fear of making mistakes stops many learners from practicing.
Truth: Mistakes are essential. Every error rewires your brain and brings real progress. Fluency comes from trying, failing, and adjusting.
Pssst, no one and I mean absolutely no one, speaks perfectly in any language. If you don’t believe me, think about the last time you made a mistake in grammar, phrasing or pronunciation in your native language. Yeah 🥺🥺🥺
4. “Learning a language takes too long.”
Frustration with slow progress leads to giving up.
Truth: Language learning is cumulative. Small daily habits (10–30 minutes a day) often lead to faster, deeper results than sporadic, intense effort.
Also, native speakers are still learning their first language, so in a way, learning never stops. Isn’t that great?
Fun fact: Did you know that there were around 150 words added to the French dictionaries Le Petit Robert and Le Petit Larousse this year alone? Think of all the new ways that natives and learners can express themselves. The additions never end, so learning is a constant for all
5. “I must study grammar first.”
The belief that formal instruction is required can make learning tedious.
Truth: Immersion, conversation, and using the language naturally often produce quicker, more intuitive learning than memorizing rules alone.
Think of grammar as a tool to help you structure your sentences and speak clearly. Think back to when you were a kid, you learnt your first language by observing others speak and absorbing everything around you like a sponge. Later, you learnt grammar in school. The same is true when you start any new language: focus on immersing yourself in the language first, then study grammar to help structure the language you have already somewhat acquired and take it from there
6. “I can’t learn without immersion.”
People assume they need to live in a country where the language is spoken.
Truth: Technology, media, conversation partners, and cultural engagement can provide a virtual immersion almost as effective as living abroad.
Pssst. I didn’t need to go through typical immersion to learn, and you don’t need to either, unless you plan on living La dolce vita subito
7. “I’m too shy or socially awkward to speak.” 🥺
Fear of embarrassment can prevent practice.
Truth: Confidence grows with practice. Even private speaking, journaling, or recording yourself counts toward fluency.
Take it from me, an introvert. The reality is no one is going to really remember that awkward thing you said, like saying “Merci beau cul” instead of “Merci beaucoup” (Merci beau cul means thanks nice ass, and honestly, if you said this to me, I’d be really flattered and say merci beaucoup because a girl could use the compliment 😉)
Even if they do remember that awkward thing you said, it will be a great laugh later on to help you see how far you have come
8. “Some languages are impossible for me.”
People say, for example, “I’ll never learn Chinese” or “I can’t do Italian.”
Truth: Difficulty is subjective; motivation, method, and mindset matter far more than perceived “hardness.”
Little-known secret: your internal belief shapes your reality. If you say “some languages are too hard for me” or “languages are too hard for me”. Then you will always find them difficult, no matter how hard you try, because you will only focus on what is hard or impossible about the language
Try saying, “ I am determined to learn, despite the difficulty,” or “ Chinese is a fun language to learn.” This rewires your internal system and allows you to extract positive feelings when learning your target language.
My go-to for learning Italian is “ My Italian is so amazing, my future in-laws will love me for it.” Feel free to use mine even if you don’t have suoceri italiani (Italian in-laws) yet 😭
9. “I can’t learn multiple languages at once.”
Many think that juggling more than one language will confuse the brain.
Truth: With mindful scheduling and practice, the brain can handle multiple languages, sometimes even enhancing cognitive flexibility.
My take on this is that it is best to learn two languages that are a bit dissimilar, so you don’t get confused.
Like German and Japanese or some other combo like that. I have tried it in the past, and it worked wonders
10. “I need external validation to know I’m progressing.”
Waiting for tests, teachers, or native speakers to confirm your progress can stall learning.
Truth: Internal consistency, curiosity, and enjoyment are the real markers of success.
If you are ever seeking some form of external validation, I recommend getting a language tutor, conversation buddy, or even signing up for an exam. Exams test the 4 core competencies and allow you to gauge your progress.
Also, you get to show off your chops by slapping it on a resume or even bringing it up in conversation. Sure, people will hate that and be slightly irritated, but you can feel validated that you know that a latte isn’t just a drink at Starbucks, but milk in italiano, and you can always show off your español skills when ordering at your local taco place. Make sure to be as pretentious as possible. Mi raccomando!
I still remember the satisfaction I had recently when my Italian tutor told me that he had seen some real progress in my learning since we started back in 2023. The joy I felt was immeasurable
The key to all these beliefs: most of them exist to keep you small, safe, and comfortable in your native language. True freedom in language learning comes when you let go of judgment, embrace mistakes, and follow curiosity.
Thank you for reading my first blog post. I hope you enjoy the other articles on this page. They will give you more insight into my learning process. What languages are you currently learning? Let me know in the comments below. Happy learning!!