Do you like travel? Have you ever thought of learning a second language? If you are an international housesitter you will know that having a second language will make travel a little easier. Plus there are many more benefits for personal development and well being. Read on to learn more.

Why you should consider learning a second language

The benefits of learning a second language

Have you been debating whether or not you should invest time in learning a second language? Well, stop making excuses and give it a go! There are all sorts of benefits you can enjoy as a result of being able to speak a second language – even if you’re not fluent in it – and plenty of resources out there to help you achieve your goal.

In Arabic there is a famous saying that every language you learn well is an added dimension to your personality. Apart from the psychological benefits of learning a second language it will doubtless enable you to communicate more freely in a new country.

So we know that learning a second language can have many benefits. Here are just five ways in which becoming bilingual can improve your life.

1. It does wonders for your brain

Learning a second language can help to keep your mind active and increase your cognitive skills. It can improve your memory, boost your powers of concentration, make you more creative, and level up your problem-solving abilities.

Studies also suggest that making decisions in a foreign language enables you to be more logical. Language learning can even lower your risk of developing harmful medical conditions such as dementia, so there truly is no reason not to give it a try!

2. It makes travel more enjoyable

A popular reason why people learn a second language like Italian is to get more out of their trips abroad.

For example, if you buy a holiday home in Istanbul through Turkey Homes, being able to speak Turkish will enable you to integrate with the local community more easily.

By learning a second language you’ll be able to visit local restaurants and cafés without English menus, haggle with market vendors more effectively, and avoid tourist traps.

3. It helps you meet new friends

When you’re learning a new language, you’ll find countless opportunities to meet people and make new friends.

Having a language exchange partner who is a native speaker of the language you’re learning is one of the fastest ways to improve your speaking and listening skills. Alternatively, you could join a group class and meet others who are learning the same language as you.

Plus, when you travel, you’ll find it much easier to make friends with people who live in the local area if you can converse in their native tongue.

4. It can open doors in your career

Being able to speak another language is a hugely desirable skill in today’s international world. Employers in all different industries are keen to hire bilingual or multilingual people who can communicate smoothly with customers and clients around the globe, so learning a new language is a great way to stand out from the crowd.

In addition, it can open doors for you to move abroad and work in a company overseas or become a location-independent freelancer if that’s your goal.

Another way you can work when you choose to move abroad is to learn how to teach English as a foreign language. The TEFL Academy offers online courses to help make you proficient.

5. It will boost your confidence

Learning any kind of new skill is a wonderful way to increase your self-esteem. However, learning a second language can be an especially effective choice. This is because it involves a lot of interaction with other people, which, although intimidating at first, is a surefire way to boost your confidence.

You’ll find you get less self-conscious about making mistakes over time, and the process of learning a second language will become easier. Not to mention, as a result of your success, you’ll feel more confident in your ability to tackle other challenges in different areas of your life too!

A final note on why learning a second language is a force for good

In all countries there is an awareness that learning a second language enables children and young adults to learn, to communicate and to reason. It is therefore widely understood. A rarely debated question therefore is ‘ should students be required to learn a second language in school ‘. The answer is assumed to be yes.

The benefits of learning a second language research also shows that it benefits young and mature adults in many ways. So if you get the chance go ahead, start learning a second language. It will not only boost your confidence, but it also does wonders for your brain, makes travel more enjoyable, helps you meet new friends and could even open doors in your career.

What’s not to like?

Further reading about housesitting and housesitters

At Housesitmatch.com we like to share useful blogs and practical advice about housesitters, housesitting and pet sitting. We hope you find this small selection of our blogs on house sitters and house sitting in London useful.

Budget travel guide Budapest – Housesitting

London calling – London house sitting

Cat sitting tourist sees London for free

What a housesitter does – Top 10 responsibilities

How to get started as a housesitter

The Affordable Alternative to Dog Kennels

What is House Sitting?