The question "Why you learn a language" is interconnected with the question "How you learn a language". "How" not in terms of which methods, tools, or resources, but "how" in the sense of which mindset and approach, for what cause, for how long, and for which future implementations. In other words, which added value or change do you wish to achieve by learning that language? A lot can be narrowed down to looking at how many languages one has learned and how many of them one can speak (and to which extent).
One main variation between different language learners around the world is the amount of time invested in each language. A very common scenario is switching from one language to another, studying 10 but speaking none. All of a sudden, when learning the same language for over a month can't provide our daily dopamine dose, starting a new language on Duolingo has become a trendy addiction. The "shiny objects" syndrome of language learning.
I see too many learners who studied several languages but haven't reached a decent level in any of them. I'm talking about 2-6 languages in A1-A2, maybe one in B1 but not even one language at a basic fluency level.
I believe that learning multiple languages at low proficiency is extremely inferior to learning one language at high proficiency. There just are more benefits and possibilities for learners who focus on one main language and pushed it to a higher level. From a wider perspective, I try to have minimal characteristics for my language learning.
Adopting a Minimalistic Perspective
First, let's tackle back the question of why people learn a language. There are a lot of incentives for that, some of them are: better job opportunities, the possibility to communicate with new family members/friends, learning and discovering new cultures, preventing cognitive illness, etc. Unless one is only interested in grammar or other theoretical aspects and has no intentional goal of speaking it, then I would argue that everyone wishes to reach fluency in their target language.
The road to fluency starts with focus and attention. It starts with understanding that sustainable and direct language learning benefits long-term goals and long-term memory storage. By focusing on one language we give ourselves the possibility to acquire the language to a level high enough to allow us to immerse ourselves in the deepest and most meaningful aspects of that culture, society, and language. Considering all those goals I've pointed out, can we really achieve them if we are changing our target language constantly?
Depth & Quality >> Quantity
Can you read a book in your TL? Can you sing? watch movies? engage in a professional environment? Learn about your TL culture & people with no mediators?
Those are all the valuable and meaningful embodiment of language learning that only opens up from a certain level. This is what I want to do with my languages, not to learn some flashy phrases so I can show off but then be left with nothing. So, if someone asks me – "How do you learn a language?", I will say – "With short/long term goals, with focus and attention, while aspiring to eventually be able to use that language to cover, feel, and engage with every aspect of human experience".
One last note (that actually deserves a post for itself) is "Critical Language Proficiency". And by that, I mean - A high level of fluency and competence in a foreign language, resulting in long-term memory retention. Instead of learning, jumping, switching, forgetting, and relearning, one should aspire to acquire a language to a level that will prevent fast and significant degradation.
About a decade ago I start to learn Spanish. My last Spanish "pick performance" was 3.5 years ago, when I volunteered in a Guatemalan school using Spanish exclusively for a month. In the past year, I've had no more than 4-5 short conversations. Despite all of that, I managed yesterday to language coach a Hebrew learning in Spanish.
This is the power of critical language proficiency. A Slow and minor degradation that will allow a lifetime of meaningful interactions, experiences, and relationships.
Learning ONLY ONE language at a time is the real challenge.
Avoid the dopamine rush of starting a new language, say no to Duolingo, but show up consistently to achieve something valuable and meaningful.
Reach for "critical language proficiency", then drop them one by one...
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