Many of my colleagues in the construction safety industry make real attempts at communicating with the largely Spanish speaking workforce. One of the most frequent statements I hear from them is "I wish I had paid more attention in my high school Spanish class". However, would that have been enough?
As it turns out, the ability to master Spanish, or any other language, strictly based on 4 years of high school exposure is not likely to be enough. As Amelia Friedman points out in her article published in The Atlantic,
"Less than 1 percent of American adults today are proficient in a foreign language that they studied in a U.S. classroom. That’s noteworthy considering that in 2008 almost all high schools in the country—93 percent—offered foreign languages, according to a national survey."
Add the fact that, as a skill, language learning requires practice. Most US students taking foreign language classes, lack access to native speakers with whom to practice their skills. So, are my friends doomed to never learn a new language? Absolutely not!
You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!
Research shows that neuroplasticity, a larger vocabulary and developed cognitive skills make language learning easier for adults! In fact, a dedicated learner who practices frequently can learn a new language in months, not years; and be functional in as little as a few weeks, so don't fall into the "I'm too old now" trap.
My experience is that most adults, unlike children, are more self conscious and more likely to feel embarrassed than our younger counterparts when being corrected or misunderstood by native speakers. Another issue is not seeing a benefit to learning a language. In my field, there is always someone that can interpret for you. Still, translation takes time and can create confusion and dilute or filter your message. Being able to communicate directly with your audience builds trust, credibility and ensures your message is exactly what you want to say.
Accents are sexy!
Another and perhaps the biggest, albeit illogical, concern I hear is "but my accent is horrible!". My answer to this is, "maybe so, but who cares!" Think about this for a minute, Jackie Chan, Penelope Cruz, Shakira, Sofia Vergara, Sean Connery and MANY other actors have made millions with their accents!
Instead of focusing on the accent, pay attention to the correct use of the language. Focus on proper grammar and sentence structure so you can be understood. If people understand your meaning, they will absolutely not care about your accent.
Start now...
So, it's time to stop making excuses and start developing those language skills. They will improve your interactions, open opportunities, make vacation travel more fun and even offer some health benefits. Pick a language, any language, and go for it! For a great resource on language learning check out the eDX learning platform, a partnership founded by Harvard and MIT. They offer a multitude of language (and other) courses, many for free or at low cost.
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