From Pen Pals to Professional Growth: My Journey Through Language Learning
Priscila Z. Vendramini Mezzena, PMP, PMI-ACP, MBA, CSM
One of my passions is learning languages. I was presented with English through the mandatory curriculum in Brazilian elementary schools from an early age. I must confess that the way it was explained was not particularly exciting for a child.?
What truly propelled my progress in learning this language, however, was practical usage—the opportunity to communicate with young people from other countries. Through a service in Finland called IYS (International Youth Service) and the payment of a modest fee (around one dollar, if I recall correctly), I received pen pals' contact information, selected based on my countries' choices.
Through this program, I exchanged letters for years with a friend from Greece and a friend from Ghana. This experience motivated me to develop my English skills and gave me a broader perspective on other cultures. Later, I met an Argentinian friend with whom I also exchanged letters for many years, but this time, we communicated in our native languages.
English has undoubtedly been and continues to be, an essential part of my life. Numerous professional and personal development opportunities have come my way, thanks to my ability to use this language.
Years later, I became interested in learning Italian during my undergraduate studies. Being a Romance language like Portuguese (my native language), the learning curve was quicker. Understanding the language of my ancestors, which also allowed me to communicate during travels, filled me with pride.
In 2020, an unexpected opportunity arose, and my curiosity about languages led me to a new challenge: learning German. Despite its shared roots with English, German has proven to be the most challenging language I've tackled. The presence of neutral gender, verb conjugations, separable verbs, and accusative and dative cases, for example,? make its grammar particularly complex for non-native speakers. Pronunciation is sometimes tricky, and German differs from Portuguese in its heavier use of consonants and long compound words. For instance, Streichholzsch?chtelchen?(a small matchbox) exemplifies how multiple words combine into one.
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Before the pandemic, I had the chance to attend about four in-person classes with my group. Since then, our lessons have shifted to weekly virtual sessions, and this week marked our first in-person meeting in over four years. We had the opportunity to share pleasant moments and enrich our Christmas vocabulary. Aside from being a personal hobby, people often ask why I continue dedicating time to learning German, especially since I don't yet have a practical application.
Learning a new language goes far beyond communication skills. It's an intellectual challenge that stimulates different brain areas (see other benefits here: https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/29/learning-language-changes-your-brain/)? and is a gateway to understanding other cultures. For instance, the German language's intellectual precision often mirrors the structured and thoughtful approach many associate with German culture.
Language learning is a lifelong journey that offers personal and professional rewards. It opens doors to new perspectives, fosters cultural appreciation, and hones cognitive skills. Whether starting with a language that aligns closely with your own or embarking on the adventure of mastering one that feels worlds apart, the journey is deeply enriching. For professionals, multilingualism can be a powerful asset, enhancing global connections and broadening career horizons—even with the availability of many helpful and powerful communication tools.
How do you challenge yourself to grow and develop new skills? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
For more articles, I would be delighted to welcome you to my blog: priscilavendraminimezzena.com.