Languages might begin in the classroom, but they open the door to lifelong friendships, unforgettable songs, favourite places, heightened experiences, and stories that stay with you forever. Wherever life takes you, another language (or two) makes an enormous difference.

Not only is it Easter today, but it's Basque National Day too. So, it's a great time to learn a bit of the oldest language in Europe, get one step ahead of the Devil, discover a 3-day week, bend the rules of maths & journey into the bizarre! #AberriEguna albarolanguages.com/2023/10/01/dis…

From school exchanges in France, Spain & Germany to random chats in rural Portugal, from understanding Catalan civil war tales to learning Albanian at 13 - languages have lit up faces, opened doors & changed my life. Learn languages & the buzz of being understood never gets old.

When French or Italian leads to Romanian, Romanian leads to Albanian, Albanian leads to Turkish, Turkish leads to Farsi, and Farsi leads to Arabic, you've embarked on a journey that'll take you around the world, stir your curiosity, fire your imagination and broaden your mind.

German takes you further in engineering & philosophy. French gives you an edge in diplomacy & gastronomy. Spanish is an advantage in global tourism & communication. Chinese elevates literature, music & thought. Languages cut across all subjects & all subjects are better for them.

Another language is a new adventure, a new experience, a new relationship. It makes the world more colourful, more vibrant & more connected, whoever you are and whatever your motivation. Languages are about human interaction. Languages make a difference to everyone.

When I’m asked why I learn languages, I think of the faces that light up when I speak someone else's language, the doors that open in places I never expected, and the moments that would never have happened if I hadn’t tried. Languages have always made the world feel like home.

There’s nothing like the moment you speak another language & you're understood. Whether it’s buying bread in Croatia, chatting with a Portuguese taxi driver, ordering in a Chinese restaurant or navigating an Italian airport, it matters. Mistakes don’t. Speak up. Connect. Explore.

Why do languages matter? Because languages are about communication, understanding, solidarity and respect. Another language is another perspective, another outlook and another world view. It's life lived through a different lens. That's why languages matter to all of us.

If I'd listened to the people who told me there was no point learning Albanian, Basque or Farsi, I'd never have written a book, taught civil servants or translated policy-changing documents. Languages create so many opportunities, in so many fields, whatever you're aiming for.

When you learn French, German or Spanish at school, you're not just learning a language - you're gaining access to people, cultures and ideas across the globe. Whether it's German in the EU, Spanish across the Americas, or French on five continents, each one opens multiple doors.

When a language course disappears, so do the chances for students to see the world differently, connect more deeply and understand life beyond our borders. It's not just a loss to academia - it's lesser experiences, quieter voices, narrower minds. Languages make lives richer.

I learn languages because I don't want to just visit a country - I want to feel its heartbeat, live its life, be a part of something different. Each language is a new way of thinking, of feeling, of being. It’s the experience of stepping into someone else’s world and belonging.

Were it not for languages, I would never have travelled around northern Portugal, shared a flat in Spain with French and German students, taught Albanian and Basque, or set out on new paths in Farsi and Chinese. Languages offer life-changing, unforeseen opportunities to everyone.

Learning languages didn’t just open doors - it rewrote the map of my life. From sharing meals in Spain to interpreting in Kosovo, even the smallest phrases led to the deepest connections. You never know where languages might take you. albarolanguages.com/2025/05/19/the…

Learning another language is about connection, understanding and acceptance. It's about discovering other cultures, beliefs and lifestyles. It's about shared humanity. And all of that benefits all of us. Languages make a difference to everyone.

Don’t underestimate the power of any new language you have access to - whether it's school French or home Polish. Every language learned is a step into another culture, a chance to experience life differently, to connect deeply, and to grow in ways you never expected or imagined.

Languages are like a tempting buffet. There's something for everyone. They offer multiple options and combinations. There are familiar and exotic choices. You try something new and you're curious about something else. They give you a taste for adventure. Languages feed the soul.

When you speak another language, you're not just translating words. You're stepping into someone else’s world. You'll see faces light up, barriers fall and whole new stories unfold. That’s why languages matter. They don’t just open doors; they invite connection and understanding.

Languages aren’t just something you learn in school - they’re a new way of seeing the world. They connect subjects, demystify cultures, and shape how you think in everything from history to science, art to computing, music to maths. Learn a language, and you gain a tool for life.