Learning a foreign language is generally viewed in a positive light and perceived as both beneficial and enjoyable. However, there are certain subtleties we often tend to overlook in the process.

If you are in your 20s or 30s, you probably already understand the advantages of mastering a second or even third language. Being multilingual is considered a valuable asset in an ultra-competitive, internationalized work environment.

This is precisely why you should think strategically before learning a new language—because later in life, you might either be grateful for or regret your choice. 

Whatever language you choose to learn, you should be committed to it, as language learning is quite different from acquiring a skill like playing chess or swimming. It’s more like learning a musical instrument—no matter how proficient you become, if you don’t practice consistently, you forget, and all your efforts go to waste.

Another reason we learn foreign languages is to expand our knowledge and horizons. Whether for social, academic, or professional purposes, this remains one of the biggest advantages of language proficiency.

As a teenager, I was captivated by the Korean Wave (Hallyu) and developed a deep interest in Korean culture. I then spent two years in university attending language courses at Sejong Institute, reaching the B1 level. However, another two years passed, and caught up in the challenges of balancing life and work, I gradually lost my ability to hold even a simple conversation in Korean. Before I knew it, everything had faded, and today, I can only recall basic sentences and a limited vocabulary.

The best way to hone your language skills is by living among native speakers. This significantly increases your chances of achieving proficiency. On the other hand, if you have no one to practice speaking with except your own reflection in the mirror, you might as well give up—literally. In the long run, this approach simply doesn’t work.

The most important takeaway from today is that you should think a few steps ahead when choosing your next foreign language. Consider where you are now and where you intend to be in the future.

One of my Korean teachers once said something very wise: “Never cease learning, because language is a living organism—once you stop learning, it withers.”

Image credits: Tim Gouw