Maybe learning a language is on your lockdown to-do list, or maybe your friends and family have picked up French lessons during the extended period at home? We know that demand for language learning increases during lockdowns* but why is that the case – and is it really worth it – in an increasingly closed world? 

Interestingly, Australian language expert Antonella Beconi explains that language learning is much more than a time filler, or a fun new skill to show off once we’re allowed back out into the world, but can actually have long-lasting benefits:

“We are living in interesting times, times in which it has become more important than ever to construct personal skill sets that revolve around mental strength, resilience, agility, and flexibility. Learning a language can help us develop these skills.”

Why you should learn a language

So if you’re looking for a new hobby, Professor Antonella Beconi makes the case for adding language learning to your lockdown routine:

  • It makes us more creative by allowing us to become more conscious of our own culture and language. As we draw comparisons, and reflect on the positive and the negative bits, we gain perspective, flexibility, and a creativity boost.

  • It helps us stay mentally young, staving off mental decline by improving our problem-solving skills, enhancing our powers of concentration, and forcing us, often through sheer necessity, to become better listeners.

  • It makes us more employable: Most of the world speaks a second, third or even fourth language – multilinguists, with their greater understanding of the difficulties of communicating in a second language, often find themselves in high demand by global employers.

The good news is that technology is making it easier than ever to fit language learning around your day-to-day life, no matter your proficiency.

For example, Amazon Alexa has dozens of hands-free language skills available, at no extra cost, making it easy to learn whilst you’re cooking dinner or getting the kids ready for school on devices like the Echo Dot, Echo Show 8  or out and about using the Echo Auto and the Alexa app. 

If you want to embark on a new language-learning journey, there’s Daily Dose by Innovative Language which offers 34 languages from beginner to advanced and high quality audio lessons. Or if you’re brushing up on old skills, Slow French, Slow Italian or Slow German, are perfect for those with a stronger base knowledge.

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