![Duolingo Logo.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNpqpbBEf1TyECTvUNXw9MfAsCdYR9ao7wozKmVdxENFy/Duolingo%20Logo.png)

Finding myself bored and with nothing to do on the long train ride from Ljubljana to Salzburg, i decided to learn a new language. After a quick look at the options, i decided to download the DuoLingo app and pick up one of the languages on offer. Not sure why, but i ended up choosing Spanish (German would have been more useful on the trip). 

## Why Learn a 2nd Language at all?

The education system here makes it mandatory to learn two languages - English and a choice between Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu and Tamil. Learning another language can bring about economic, social and mental health benefits. E.g. in a 2010 study done by Hazlehurst, a second language can **add a pretty impressive 10 to 15% to your wages**. 

Those who have learnt a second language also show **greater mental flexibility, they are better at problem solving, more creative and have better reasoning abilities**. 

## Nosotras somos niñas

Having lived and worked in a few countries in Southeast Asia, the way i picked up languages informally was to learn a few keywords, things related to the office, things related to food, direction words like "left" and "right" and use them in the office, in the taxi and when ordering food.

DuoLingo was my first 'formal' attempt at learning a new language since school and to be honest, i found having to learn sentences like "we are girls" and "they are boys" a little pointless and rigid. I can see what they're trying to achieve by laying the foundation for sentence structure and grammar - something that one rarely borrows with when they self-teach. 

## Starting is easy, finishing is another thing altogether
![duolingo.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcZRm18TEjfTbBwoZJsQanHHfcYaWevW9yfZV8KZWw8y2/duolingo.JPG)

I truly believe that people will only pick up a language if they see a benefit to it. If you want to go to university in Germany or Japan, you will do what it takes to become proficient in German or Japanese. If you want to understand your Korean dramas, you will learn Korean. But if there's no compelling need to learn a language, then the motivation to see it through dies really fast. 

At least that was the case with my Spanish. Once i was on longer stuck on the train, i had no reason to continue learning. Spanish isn't used widely in Asia and there are limited opportunities to use it in day to day life. Also, I found the style of learning to be a bit too impractical.

For anyone [looking to learn a new language](https://relc.org.sg), i think a better way would be to read blogs or posts on Steemit in that language. Then interact with the author and slowly, bit by bit, your command of the language would improve. It is also a lot more practical and fun than to learn sentences like *'we are girls'*.