It’s always exciting to learn new things and practice new skills. Deciding to learn a new language is a fun venture. People who speak multiple languages will agree that learning a new dialect is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
When it comes to choosing which new language to learn, Japanese is among the top choices when considering Asian languages. That’s no surprise since Japan has one of the world’s largest economies, and Japanese is one of the most widespread Asian languages, thanks to the popularity of Japanese Animation.
Your college years present a promising time for you to learn Japanese. Whether you take Japanese as a class or decide to self-teach, learning it in college can benefit you while studying and in your future endeavors.
Here are eight reasons why you should learn conversational Japanese in College:
1. Career Advantage
If you learn Japanese to a conversational level while you’re a student, it’ll become something that you can add to your resume. Being multilingual makes your profile stand out from those of your monolingual competitors, giving you that benefit straight out of college.
Job recruiters judge applicants based on several criteria. There are also international companies that have branches in multiple countries. Being able to speaking in Japanese can give you an advantage in job recruitment or give you the option of working in a Japanese branch, where it is beneficial.
2. Exercise Your Brain
Learning Japanese, or any new language for that matter can have cognitive benefits. Speaking multiple languages can improve your memory, listening skill, critical thinking, multitasking, problem-solving, and concentration.
No college student wouldn’t benefit from these cognitive improvements, no matter how far they’re into their degree or study program.
3. Turn Yourself Into A Polyglot
A polyglot is a person who speaks three or more languages. Needless to say, most people would agree that becoming a polyglot is an impressive feat. It can vastly improve your vocabulary and communication skills. The more languages you speak, the easier it becomes to learn new languages.
Also, it is a good language to learn as a gateway to other Asian spoken languages. It’s a very different language from English. Learning such a contrasting language can give you more insight and advance your polyglot journey.
4. Visit Japan
Japan is full of fantastic food, exciting culture, and fun activities, making it a popular choice for tourists. The list of things to do in Japan is endless. You can visit the high-tech cities, relax in a hot spring, stay overnight in a temple, make a wish at a shrine, see Mount Fuji, experience sushi in its homeland, watch sumo wrestling, visit the Ghibli Museum, and so much more. Japan has something to accommodate all different types of travelers.
Conversational Japanese, even if only at a basic level, it’s essential knowledge for anyone who aspires to travel to Japan someday. It’ll make your journey through the country much smoother and help you when ordering food or getting a hotel room. You don’t need to be fluent, but if Japan is on your travel list, you should invest some time into learning the language.
5. Confidence Boost
Successfully learning a new language can be a rewarding experience. It’ll force you out of your comfort zone as you practice and make mistakes, but it’s all worth it. Speaking to someone in their native language is a great sense of accomplishment.
All the practice you’ll build up while speaking outside of your native language can positively affect your communication and social skills. Developing confidence in your social and communication skills during your college years is beneficial and can stay with you forever. These skills can improve your overall confidence in yourself, and it is often considered the key to achieving what success is to you.
6. Learn About Japanese Culture
Learning about a new culture is part of the fun of learning a new language. Japan has an incredibly unique and interesting culture. Learning Japanese is excellent exposure to Japan’s traditional and modern cultures.
They also have a system of honorifics and an emphasis on respect, unlike anything in western culture. While learning the language, you can dive into history, martial arts, and fashion. Japanese culture and entertainment exports are growing in popularity. The easy access to these exports can make learning even more enjoyable.
7. Become An English Teacher In Japan
Many people aspire to travel or work internationally someday. Luckily, several different programs help people find work as English teachers in Japan and other foreign countries.
Learning conversational Japanese while in college will help you qualify to become an English teacher in Japan. Speaking Japanese isn’t always essential, but it can help your application stand out. These types of programs are targeted at younger groups such as college graduates.
Getting accepted to a program like this means that you’ve got a job, accommodation, and get to be in a foreign country. It is a popular option for those who want to experience another country and culture while still earning a living and building work experience.
8. Connect With More People
One of the best things about learning a new language is that it allows you to connect with more people. Japanese people live all over the world, and like most other countries, Japan has people who want to travel and explore places.
Maybe while learning Japanese, you gained interest in the culture and exports, such as food and anime. And maybe, you want to learn Japanese because you’re already interested in those things. Either way, it’s a growing interest and can open you up to new friends and friend groups.
Conclusion
So, are you convinced? There are so many reasons to learn Japanese while in college. The benefits range from career and improved learning ability to working and traveling abroad. At this point, there’s almost no reason not to learn some conversational Japanese while you’re studying.