One of the most important things about learning languages is the ability to hear. And not just "hearing", but the act of listening.
In everyday life we all communicate in some way shape or form, and the act of speaking and listening can become dulled for some of us over time. What's cool when you have an actual and genuine interest in a language or languages, is the act of listening is done with purpose. Whether for fun or to fully understand what someone is saying, the act of listening can help you comprehend new and old words and to better connect with another person with genuine interest.
You see that is one of the coolest things right there. The fact you want to learn, means you are willing to listen, and your willingness to listen means that you can learn new words, correct a few speaking and spelling mistakes and also possibly make a new friend. In fact that's why some people do learn new languages.
When you learn a new language you are literally opening yourself up to connect with someone on their own level. For work, your willingness to learn another countries language to take a job, should show a willingness to learn, to intergrate and to connect with other different than you, to better yourself. And in the case of friendships or the potential of friendships, the connection developed can give way to an honest leniency. You're putting in honest effort to pronounce something properly and with the correct accent, yet your friend lets you know it's ok if you aren't perfect, as long as you speak well enough to be understood. And that says a lot about the other person. They are "listening" to you try, and that means they are actively trying to understand and connect with what you are trying to say.
When we speak to each other in our native languages, sometimes we forget this. However when you learn a new language, your start to go back to those roots and not only does that help you learn your new language, it also helps you better communicate in your mother tongue.
So listen!
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