I think more people should learn a language during university, whether it’s alongside a degree, through classes or as a hobby. With so many accessible resources, including libraries, apps, courses – and even language clubs to practice speaking and learning with peers in an informal setting – there’s really no reason not to! Moreover, saying that you can speak German, for example, makes you sound really cool. And multiple languages look great on a CV!
Growing up in Canada, I learned two languages simultaneously since birth. This was my mother tongue, Urdu, and of course English. Although I was born and raised here, and we spoke mostly English at home, I got used to Urdu and would try to speak Urdu with my teachers at school. Young Lee thought they would understand. Finally, even in the middle of my pre-school years, Urdu was snatched away from me. I spoke better English, and to this day, I struggle to form a completely coherent sentence in Urdu, which was deliberately taught to me when I was young so that I wouldn’t forget my roots. Maybe that’s what inspired me then – the need to learn more and more so as not to forget. Or maybe you got used to it because the language course was always compulsory in school. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t learn a new language alongside my other courses.
I started my language journey early in school, like most Canadian kids. I learned French throughout my elementary and middle school years. Perhaps this is where my passion for languages began. It was a lot of fun for me to learn to say a sentence in more than one way, and I was always keen to show off my skills. Being able to sing the Canadian National Anthem in more than one language has been very exciting! I found myself wanting to learn how to communicate in as many ways as possible. I learned Japanese during my three years in high school. I switched to Korean for the first few years of college before I decided to update and develop my Japanese. After that, I tried to learn German and learn some Spanish with my sister. It turns out that the more you already know, the easier it is to learn other languages, at least in my case.
I had the opportunity to speak with Jaden, a fourth-year student majoring in East Asian Studies and minoring in Music, Art, and Design. He is my fellow YouAlberta writer and president of the KGK (Kampai Ganbei Keonbae) East Asian Studies Undergraduate Student Union Club on campus. Jaden is fluent in five languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, and Korean – and he also speaks a little French!
You may have already noticed that there are different chat clubs around campus. A few of these are covered by KGK! Jaden says this club hosts “Chinese, Japanese and Korean conversation clubs to give people opportunities to practice” to give native speakers a chance to speak and “create a safe and inclusive environment.” Jayden admits that learning a language can often be “really scary,” but participating in clubs like these can often help ease that anxiety when you’re surrounded by peers trying to achieve the same goal.
“From my perspective, I think learning a language is important because it’s a really rich experience. Oftentimes, you have an interest in culture, and while you don’t need to learn a language to appreciate culture, I think it brings you closer. Language is a part of It is integral to a lot of cultural heritage.” “And on a practical level too, learning languages can always be beneficial. It can take you all over the world. So no matter where you go or what industry you work in, it will always come in handy.
Learning a language can also expose you to new communities. Referring to clubs that encourage language learning, Jaden says: “Joining this type of club is a great opportunity to find communities. It helps broaden your view of the world, and I think this is an important part of our lives, especially in our globalized culture. Everyone is connected, and it is What’s really important is meeting other people and understanding the viewpoints of people from all over the world, and this can help you understand your own viewpoints better.
Jaden advises all language learners that “it is very important that you not only passively consume media and read from your textbook, but also put yourself in situations where you actively practice speaking, conversing with people, and producing language rather than just observing it.”
Learning a language also opens new doors, such as opportunities to travel abroad, learn about another culture and different jobs – and you might even end up teaching English in another country!
Language is an incredibly powerful tool for bringing people together and creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. As individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to learn and communicate in new languages, they not only gain valuable skills but also build tight-knit communities. Language learning provides a unique gateway for people to connect, understand and empathize with others, ultimately fostering a more tolerant and inclusive society. Through language learning, we can build bridges between different cultures and create a world of endless possibilities for collaboration, understanding, and growth.