Not too long ago, language learning was basically a solitary activity. There would be high school and university classes, sure, and you could find audio courses or books at the store or in the library. But it wasn’t generally considered a “cool” thing to want to learn another language just for the fun of it. If you were into language learning, you were an outsider, a loner.

Unfortunately, for many learning a language all alone is not only boring, it seems to lack all purpose. After all, isn’t the whole purpose of a language to communicate? And unless you love having conversations with yourself, communication generally involves having contact with others.

Now, we could always argue that the best people to talk to when you’re learning another language are those that already speak your target language. I completely agree. However, unless you are an immigrant or world traveler, daily contact with natives of the language you’re learning isn’t likely to be realistic.

But today we can find many online communities—in the form of chat rooms, forums, blogs, and social networking sites—that provide just the atmosphere you’ll need for regular communication with others in the language you want to practice. But we can take this communities idea even further.

Isn’t it true that you’ll more likely want to communicate with those that share your interests? Isn’t there a lot you could learn from others that are learning another language as well—perhaps even learning the same language you’re learning? Then why not try one of the several language-learning communities you can find online?

Not only can you find others that speak your target language, but you’ll find kindred spirits that are as motivated and interested in becoming bilingual as you are. Here are some sites you can visit to get started:

italki.com
busuu.com
lingq.com
livemocha.com

With sites like these, even more blogs and forums on the topics of language learning, and even more great online communities popping up every day, it’s little wonder that learning another language is easier now than every before.

What Are You Waiting For?

Over the past several language-learning related posts, we’ve seen many reasons why it is easier than ever to learn another language. So what are you waiting for? With modern communication technology, better learning methods, a multilingual forecast, and learning communities, there is no excuse to sit back and dream of being bilingual. Another language—any other language—is firmly within your reach.

No matter if you think globalization with end up being a force for good or evil, it is something that’s happening right now. Our world is getting smaller every day. The question is, do you see the opportunities this shrinking world affords you? Are you taking advantage of those opportunities, or will you just let them pass you by?

Just because something is easier than before, there remains the question of if you really want to become bilingual. What reasons are there to learn another language? That’s what we’ll talk about in the next series of language-learning posts.

Let me give you a brief, very rough history of language-teaching methodologies. In ancient times, languages were taught through reading thick, boring texts out loud, while a teacher corrected every little mistake the student(s) made. Texts were dissected and grammar points were driven into the learners’ minds through endless verbal and written exercises—many or which meant hours of reciting the same phrases, again and again.

That method changed little through the centuries, and is summarized under an umbrella called the “grammar/translation method.”

What is the problem with the grammar/translation method? It is really very sound in theory, and is still used to some extent by nearly all successful teachers and learners of languages. But there was one problem: in a classroom, pure grammar/translation simply didn’t work. It was a disaster!

Now, over the last century, more money and efforts have been put into searching for scientific help in language teaching and learning. Today, driven mainly by the massive global business of ESL (English as a second language), scientists and researchers and methodologists have banded together to invent a wide variety of teaching methods, which can be used selectively in schools and courses.

Today, you don’t just recite exercises and translate texts when you take a language course. You may have communicative activities, reading comprehension activities, gap fill exercises, and a plethora of other methods, all folded into one eclectic teaching scheme.

Nowadays, we have sociolinguists, applied linguists, and neurolinguists all working together in a field that is simply called “second language acquisition.” Aren’t you glad you have all these options in front of you?

Here are just a few examples of gadgets that you probably already have access to that make language learning faster and easier.

Mobile listening. With the prevalence of Ipods, MP3 players, and the like, we can now listen to hundreds of hours of a language without meeting even one native speaker, and we can attend dozens of classes without stepping foot in a language school. I firmly believe that raw content in a language is a powerful resource for learning. Audio content has never been so accessible and portable. Most people either have a cell phone, handheld game system, tablet, or portable player designed specifically for listening to audio files. Many gadgets also have the ability to play video as well, which can make listening to the language more entertaining and tangible.

Electronic reading and mobile apps. The global success of tablets, smartphones, and handheld computers (or PDA’s) means learning can be done anywhere. I can hold thousands of books on my PDA or Ipod touch, not to mention flashcard programs, videos, and learning games. The kindle is not far behind in many of these areas, and arguably better when it comes to e-reading. According to this report, more than a third adults have a smart phone. Is it really such a stretch to say that average American now has to at least one of the gadgets mentioned here? Do you?

Online materials. Whether you use one of the above-mentioned mobile devices or an old-fashioned PC or laptop to access the internet, there is a plethora of online resources designed to help you learn another language.

If I were trying to learn Latin fifty years ago, I’d have to sit for hours in a library and study ancient tomes of history, law, and poetry. I’d have to travel to a college that offers Latin classes, and send mail orders for vinyl records with audio courses. It would be expensive and time consuming, to be sure. Now, I can read the Latin Vulgate on my e-reader and simultaneously listen to it on my ipod. I can save words and make flashcards, and even connect to the internet and investigate questions—all of this without even stepping foot in a library.

It’s likely that you can do the same, all with gadgets that you probably already have access to.

Here’s the scoop: A few month ago, DC Comics did a complete re-launch. Forget about everything that’s happened before. Forget about who’s been in love with who, who’s married, who’s died and come back two or three times before. Forget it all. Everything starts over. Only a few of the best, most popular story points from recent years stay, like the awesome Batman Inc story from last year.

Otherwise, any comic fan, young or old, can start reading any (or all) of the 52 number 1’s and quickly understand whatever they need to get. For many of the comics, the story starts 5-6 years after heroes started appearing around he world, so there is a little room for back story.

Many of the characters have stayed the same, but there are some changes. Superman, for example, has some new duds (no more red underwear). I think many readers (especially those that haven’t been reading comics for the last three decades) will like the new costumes and enjoy the fresh start.

I read all 52 number 1’s, and I’ll be following at least 40-45 of them for now. There are so many things I love about these series, and I’ll be talking about them more in upcoming posts.

Until then, keep it real…

Let’s look at 4 reasons why you should be taking advantage of these changing times are learning a new language.

Multilingual Future

Some say that English will soon take over the entire world. Don’t believe a word of it. Our shrinking world brings smaller language groups into the spotlight as well. We live in a society where diversity is celebrated and a variety of cultures are accepted. That means that it will not only be easier to gain access to event he smallest language community, but it will also be considered hip.

Learning Technology

A thousand years ago, the only way to learn Language X was to travel to country/region/island X. Now, hundreds of languages are instantly available on your MP3 player, laptop, tablet, or PC. You can take learning materials or straight content with you wherever you go. And best part is: most of those materials are even free.

Learning Methods

Not to long ago, learning another language required thousands of hours of memorizing grammar rules and translating boring texts. But that grammar/translation way of thinking has been replaced with more advanced approached to language learning and teaching. Thanks in part to the ESL (English as a second language) need, language learning methodology is on the cutting edge of sciences like Applied Linguistics, Pedagogy, L2 Acquisition, and Neurolinguistics.

Learning Communities

If you want to learn another language, you no longer have to hide it from your friends. It’s considered cool to be a language learner, and there are even people who jump from one language to another until they’ve mastered a dozen or more. In come circles polyglots (people that speak at least 3 languages) are celebrities. There are dozens of language learning communities that you can join, where feedback, assistance, and support are always available.

1. You’re done ahead of schedule. Maybe you were done a week ago, or maybe you set the personal goal of 70,000 or more words for the month. Whatever the case, you’re home free, and every word you choose to write now will just prove your superiority over everyone else. You’re the MAN (or, you know WOMAN… er, whatever).
2. You’re on track (or almost on track) and the Nanowrimo goal of 50k feels well within reach. You feel some pressure, but it’s no big deal. You’re okay with where you are, and even if you’re a little behind, you’re sure you’ll catch up over the weekend or early next week. No biggie.
3. You’re way behind and desperately working to catch up. You’re typing in the morning, in the afternoon, in your sleep. You type while using the restroom. You’re even thinking of taking off work Monday to finish. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can…
4. You’re finished; you’ve thrown in the towel. It’s over for you, buddy, and you know it. Sure you fought hard, and your heart was in the right place, but you’ve l0st enough sleep, missed enough favorite TV shows, and forgotten enough anniversaries and birthdays and dentist appointments. It’s time to give up. But, hey, there’s always next year.

No matter which of those people you are right now, you should remember a few things. Here’s some reminders, just to keep everything in perspective. These are especially for those that are in categories three and four, but everyone could use a little waking up, so here they are:

01 Winning Nanowrimo doesn’t Make You a Writer… Writing Does

Read this out loud: Even if I don’t win Nanowrimo, that doesn’t mean I’m not a REAL writer. The sentence isn’t really written well, but you should repeat it a few times anyway because it’s true. Writers write; nothing else matters. If you manage to write a minimum of a hundred words a day, you can still call yourself a writer.

02 There Aren’t any Cash Prizes Anyway

Feeling full of yourself because you’ve finished your 50k? Feeling distraught because you know you won’t make it? Either way, remember that Nano really isn’t a contest; it’s more like a group goal. Even if you meet the goal, you’ll only get a little winners badge to put on your blog or website. Is that such a thing to cry over? If you think so, just copy the badge image from someone else’s site. Nobody will know the difference!*

03 Regularity Beats All

Nanowrimo is like running a sprint. REAL writing (if there is such a thing) involves regularity, consistency, and discipline. Anyone can start a novel. Only those that are serious about the craft finish and then refine the thing to perfection. Like was said above, you can write a little, but write every day, and you are just as much (if not more) a writer than a Nano winner that doesn’t write a word outside of November.

04 Quality is Important Too

When it comes to creating something that others would want to read, quality is key. A poet may struggle for a year to produce ten lines of poetry, but that’s much better than producing 50,000 words of crap every month. Even if you finished Nano (or will finish), keep in mind that only those that refine and reshape and polish their work will go places. First drafts are next to useless. Really.

05 Nobody Wants Your Book… As Is

Running with the same idea as point number four, you need need NEED to understand that no one wants to see your 50k word novel. Nobody. Well, maybe your mom or spouse, but probably not. Please don’t send it to an agent or editor. Please don’t send it to me to proofread. (See how serious I am? I’m turning down work!) If you MUST, post your newborn baby book on a blog or something, but even that may not be a good idea. The internet has enough unedited, unrefined, and flat-out crappy content as it is. If you finished Nano, great, now get to the revision, or else trunk the novel.

There’s always Next Year

I already said it, but it deserves repeating: You can always try again next year. In fact, you should join again next year, and you should bring a friend to join with you. I think Nano is a great thing, and everyone who has ever had the desire to write a book should give it a try next November. What do you have to lose?

*In no way do I actually promote thievery—even of little winner’s badges. That said, you’re all big boys and girls, and you can do what you want.

Let’s look at some facts. Humans multiply. We’re like rabbits. No matter how many people die from traffic accidents, cancer, aids, muggings, hunger, or food poisoning each year, Earth’s population keeps rising. It was just a matter of time before we’d start to rub shoulders, before we’d start to fill the globe (or at least the parts with the most resources).

Our economies are also designed to be constantly growing. That’s the nature of economy—you can’t just stand still. You’re either growing and healthy or you’re not. Countries naturally expand until they meet up with other countries. Borders are formed; tensions rise.

We are constantly coming up with better ways to travel. You can book the tickets from your computer to literally travel around the world much faster than Verne’s 80 days. In fact, men can go to the moon and back in less time than that.

In addition to travel technology, we’re also constantly outdoing ourselves with communications technology. We can now call, text, email, chat with, or status message anyone in the world, at any time, instantly.

Let’s face it—the world is getting smaller. Globalization is here. That’s unstoppable. So why would someone waste time being for or against something that is a natural force of history?

I say this: Instead of thinking about how good or bad our filling, shrinking, and connecting the world is, why not better spend your time and energy in how you can take better advantage of the way the future is going? Instead of trying to change globalization, why not focus on how it can work to your advantage?

In other words, look at the bright side of things.

You’re definitely being realistic. I always tell people who express an interest in writing that they need to do it for the right reason — that they love writing. To do it for any other reason can only lead to misery.

So, according to this commenter, Marc Schuster, the only right reason to be a writer is because you love writing. I’m betting most people who read this will agree with that statement, and I think I agree as well. The problem is, we might all agree for different reasons. Why?

Because the expression “love writing” is kind of ambiguous—it lacks concrete meaning. So that leads me to ask today’s question: What does it mean to love writing? In an attempt to answer, I have five possible meanings. When you say that you love writing, I suppose you could be talking about any one of these.

Physical Action

So this is the most direct, yet most unlikely, interpretation of the above comment. When you say you love writing, you may be referring to the love of sitting in a chair, typing on a computer, laptop, or typewriter. Or you may love the action of writing long hand in a notebook.

While I’m sure there are people out there that don’t mind the physical action of writing, I find it hard to believe this is the reason why someone would become a writer. If all you love is typing, you could be a secretary or transcriptionist or something. I personally find it hard to sit at a computer and type for many hours in a day.

Communication

When you say you love writing, you may be referring to the method of communication. You may prefer writing your thoughts down than speaking them. Or, like me, you may find it hard to find people that want to listen to you all day long while you talk about whatever it is you want to talk about. For me, writing things (like this blog) is a way of communicating to others what I want, when I want. THAT makes writing a promising activity.

Creation

Another reason you may love writing is that it allows you to create at your own freedom. You can imagine into existence entire worlds, alien species, new laws of physics, and truly amazing people. As a writer you have the power to create anything you want, and that freedom is no doubt inviting to many.

Identity

When you say that you love writing, you may be actually saying that you love being a writer. Of course, if you get ten random writers together, chances are they’ll be absolutely different. But despite that variety, there is a common identity intertwined with being a writer. It gives you a sense of belonging, of purpose.

Job

Finally, I imagine that there are people out there in the world that love writing because they prefer it as a job. I’ve had my complaints in the past, taking on writing, editing, and proofreading as work, but in the end this is really a great gig. I work my own hours, I work from home, in my pajamas, and I make a fair wage doing it. What more can a guy ask for?

All in all, you can say you love writing all you want, and I whole-heartedly encourage you to keep saying it. But in the end, you need to know why you love writing. What about it do you love, exactly? Only you can answer the question.

1-You Get to Lie

How many jobs do your know that allow you to lie professionally. For that matter, how many hobbies allow you to lie? I’m guessing not that many. But as a fiction writer, it’s your responsibility to lie, to tell a tale, as they say. As a writer, you’re aloud to invent, make up, and imagine whatever you want.

2-You’re a Creator

In addition to lying, as a writer you’re free to CREATE a story with made-up characters. As a writer, you’re an artist, you’re a creator, and you benefit from all the romantic connotations such a title carries with it.

3-You Get to Play God

Think about the made-up world you create as a writer. In that world, you get to play God. What is word building if it isn’t creation. Somewhere in your imagined universe, a humble prophet writes, “In the beginning, [YOUR NAME HERE] created the heavens and the earth.” Besides, you have admit that murdering your darlings isn’t at least a little fun.

4-Use Your Imagination

Remember when you were a kid, you used to get in trouble for daydreaming in class? Now, as an adult, talking to yourself is equally taboo. But as a writer, having an over-active imagination is a plus. You can always put that extra creativity to good use. In fact, feel free to daydream and talk to yourself… maybe just not in public.

5-Make People Cry

If you make it your goal in life to make people cry, you are either very rude or a writer. One of the greatest parts of writing is that you can toy with other people’s emotions. Make them laugh, or cry, make them angry or scared, or even make them more in love than before. You can actually affect people’s lives with what your write, if even in a very small way.

6-A Cheap Hobby

Whether you ever make writing an actual job, or just a hobby, one great advantage is that writing is relatively cheap. How much does a notebook and pen cost? Less than a Coke and Pop Tart. If you have a computer already, then you’re all set.

7-Develop a Skill

Writing is not just something that you do; it’s a skill, and you have to develop it. Many new writers don’t understand that. They feel that writing is only about creating. But we all realize over time that we are much better at it than we used to be, that eventually are skill grows. That ability can then be put to good use if you land a job as a ghostwriter or freelancer.

8-Find Kindred Spirits

Look up “writer” on Twitter and you’ll get about a billion responses. It’s seems like everyone wants to be, or in some fashion is, a writer. Over 200,000 people participated in Nanowrimo last year all over the world. Among those throngs, you are sure to find kindred spirits—people who have similar aspirations, talents, and interests to yours. From than you can join or form writing groups, critique groups, writer’s clubs, or maybe even some Shakespeare cult. What more could you ask for?

9-You Might Get Fans

Okay, don’t cross your finger for this one until you know what I mean. If you read the word “fans” and think of coeds wanting you to autograph their double D’s, then I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. When I say “fans” I mean there will be people that will enjoy what you write. They won’t be your parents or spouse, who’ll probably love everything you do just because. Just imagine, one person buys your book and emails you to say they enjoyed it, and nothing else will matter.

10-Good for the Economy

Here’s a little note about the future of writing. As the economy gets worse, people don’t have money to go to Disney World anymore. They may not have the cash to go even to the movies anymore. But imagine, for less than you would pay for one movie ticket, you can purchase several hours of reading time. You can buy novels that are hundreds of thousands of words long for five buck on Amazon. That’s a pastime that’s going to endure when every other option is just too expensive. How’s that for some hope?

11-Easier than Ever

The final reason why you SHOULD definitely continue writing (or seriously consider taking it up) has to do with the history of writers. Chew on this: a few centuries ago the average person couldn’t read. So if you were lucky enough to be a writer, you’d be writing for a limited audience, not to mention the fact that you’d be writing everything out by hand. Epic stories and poetry took lifetimes to write. Nowadays, we just put our fingers to a keyboard and think what we want to write… it just appears of the screen!

Conclusion

After these last two posts, you simply have to decide for yourself what you want to do and why. Is being a writer easy? No, typing is, but developing the craft and skill needed to succeed is no walk in the park. Does it have it’s benefits? Sure. Does it have it’s pitfalls? Absolutely.

Something interesting was brought up in a comment about “loving writing.” That will be the topic for the next post.

Subscribe to my E-Newsletter about language learning, Polyglot Post. A new edition will be sent the first and fifteenth of each month, starting on November 15.

1-Won’t Make Money

If you are an aspiring writer, you need to know RIGHT NOW that you will likely never make a load of cash off your writing. That’s right, no mansions, no BMW’s, and no golden pen to autograph your bestsellers with. You can reasonably expect years of working your day job and writing at night or on your lunch break or at 5 AM. And even if you do manage to quit your day job one day, you’ll likely make just enough off your writing to pay the rent and buy one meal a day. The term “starving artist” isn’t a cliché because someone thought it would look good on a T-shirt. YOU’RE GOING TO BE A STARVING WRITER!

2-Won’t Get Famous

So right now you’re probably thinking, “I don’t really care about the money, and the economy’s bad so everyone’s feeling a little broke. I just want to get my work out there.” The expression “get my work out there” is code for “get famous” (since your name is attached to your work). Let me take a big load off your chest right now and say NO YOU WILL NEVER BE FAMOUS! They will NEVER interview you on Writing Excuses, or on ISBW, or on Oprah. So stop dreaming about it and find something productive to do.

3-Won’t Get “Noticed”

“No no no no,” you stammer, “I never wanted to be famous. I’d be happy just getting, you know, noticed.” No, I don’t know. What does it mean to get “noticed.” In my book, if you’re noticed by a lot of people, that means you’re famous. Stop trying to reword it and reread number 2.

4-Have to Be Lucky

There are like six people in the whole world that can write for the trends of the market and produce great stuff most of us either are zombie/vampire/YA/dystopian writers or not. Also, there are mysterious marketing forces that move to and fro beneath the surface of any niche and randomly chooses who will sell and who wont. Publishing companies have gypsy fortune tellers that can somehow sense these invisible forces, and based on that they may or may not accept your work. In other words, YOU HAVE TO BE REALLY LUCKY TO MAKE IT IN THIS BUSINESS.

5-Won’t Take You Seriously

Go ahead, walk across your street right now and tell your neighbor that you are a writer. Their laugh will echo inside you and obliterate your self-esteem for years to come. Even your own family doesn’t take your new career seriously. “Oh, it’s just a phase,” they say, “or maybe a cute hobby.” Have a boy/girlfriend or spouse? Tell them you want to be a writer. “But you’ll have a REAL JOB, too, right?” Bam! You feel an inch tall. Even other writers may not take you seriously. Announce on Twitter that you think you’ll be the next SOMEBODY in the Sci Fi world. I dare you. Face it, until you do the impossible and prove Reasons 1, 2, and 3 wrong, NOBODY WILL TAKE YOUR WRITING SERIOUSLY.

6-Takes Up a lot of Time

You little wannabe writer, have you even sat down to actually write something? Have you tried typing out ten thousand words before work in the morning? It isn’t as easy as it looks. Writing takes time. You have to produce thousands, millions, billions of words before you’ll come within spitting distance of “good” and it’ll take millions more to make anything like a living off what you write. Add to that what Stephen King says in his book On Writing, you have to read a lot AND write a lot. Yes, writing is time consuming. So if your serious about this, you’ll have to divorce spouses, quit jobs, disown kids, forget about doctor’s appointments, stand up dates, ditch hobbies, and miss key episodes of every favorite show of yours. If you want it, you’ll have to sacrifice.

7-Depend on Technology

When the next incarnation of Osama Bin Laden blows up the White House, or when that zombie apocalypse finally happens, or when robots take over the world, you will probably be out of a job. Why, because writers depend on technology to get their work done. Think about it, one global EM blast and virtually every computer, server, smartphone, and ipad in the world is fried. So unless you prefer writing novels on the walls of caves and charging admission (not such a bad idea, actually!), you’ll be (for lack of a better word) screwed. Even on a more personal level, technology isn’t all that dependable. Can you say with all certainty that your computer will never crash? In fact, my laptop may not even allow me to finish this post. I’d better move on to number 8.

8-Lots of Criticism

If you thought reason number 5 was bad, wait until you start receiving criticism for all your hard work. Wait until you get one and two star reviews for your self-published baby. Wait until you have enough rejection letters to wallpaper your office. Wait until, every comment on every blog post you ever write is nothing but the digital rendition of hate mail. Sure, when you make a million dollars a year from book and movie rights, you may not care, but if your poor and largely unknown (from reasons 1 and 2) and people start hating your work, you may want to hang yourself with your mouse cord. Wanna be a writer? GET USED TO CRITICISM.

9-Hard Work

Stepping back a looking at a finished novel may sound fun, and being interviewed on TV for your work may sound like a blast, but getting there is a lot easier than you think. We already said that writing a book takes time, and getting good at writing books takes longer, but we haven’t hit the point that writing is hard work. Writing is physically challenging, and it’s gruesome sometimes. Type ten thousand words in one day and wait to see how your hands and wrists feel in the morning. Sit in an office chair all day and wait to see how your back feels later. Writing is hard for emotional reasons, too. When you writer your GIVING OF YOURSELF, you literally pouring your heart out on the screen. That isn’t easy. Trust me, a good week of nothing but writing, and you’ll wish you were pour concrete or something instead.

10-Lonely Work

The tenth and last reason why you should quit while you still can is that writing is lonely work. It is, by nature, a solitary endeavor. You may be antisocial enough to not care about that, but most really aren’t (even when they think they are). And, the worst part is, if someone does walk into your office and start talking, they’re actually distracting you from working! The same goes for social networks. If your tweeting, facebooking, or googleplussing, then you’re not working. If you want to be a writer, EXPECT TO BE LONELY.

Pessimistic or Realistic?

Okay, I’m out of reasons (for now), so now it’s time to put up a vote. Put in the comments if I’m being pessimistic or realistic with these reasons or if I’m being realistic. Depending on your answers, I’ll give myself the correct merit badge from the Merit Badger. In the meantime, stay tuned for tomorrow’s post, enumerating ten reasons why you should stick it out and be a writer.

Subscribe to my E-Newsletter about language learning, Polyglot Post. A new edition will be sent the first and fifteenth of each month, starting on November 15.