How Family Can Affect Your Language Learning

Family...that's the bunch of people who may support you in your endeavours and plans, or tell you to get a "normal" job...we can't choose them. Some are lucky, others not so, but how can family affect your language learning?

First of all, the most obvious influence. If someone in your family has a different native language, that's a great boost of motivation to learn it. Furthermore, you might even get active help in your struggle to learn the language, or grow up bilingually from the beginning.

But even when you have no one in your family who speaks a different native language, you might get encouragement and even someone who wants to learn a new language together with you. I remember when my mom and I tried to learn Dutch together. It was so much fun! Most of the time, we would look at each other and burst into laughter over a funny-looking or funny-sounding new word, we would help each other with the exercises and dialogues...and it was a great motivation to know: Hey, my mom is coming around in two days; I should learn the new vocabulary and do some exercises until then!

Of course, sadly, there's the case of negative effects as well. If your family doesn't like it that you want to learn a different language (or, not that specific language you want to learn), it might be difficult to find enough motivation (or even opportunities if you are still living with your parents, for example, and your parents don't want you to learn it). You might have to face constant arguments about your endeavours, or have to keep it a secret. Most of all, you lack support and encouragement from people who should do exactly that.

You see, your family can have a great effect - both positive and negative - on your language learning endeavours. I wish everyone the luck to have a supportive family, and hope that those whose family lacks support won't be discouraged from broadening their horizon by learning a new language if that's what they want to do.

Happy learning!