Planning to Learn Arabic After You Retire? 3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t
1. Learning a new language boosts your brain health.
Learning a new language has been proven to boost your brain power, which can benefit your career in more ways than one.
Delays cognitive decline
Learning a new language can delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (Source: Alzheimer’s & Dementia) and protect the brain against age-related cognitive decline (Source: National Library of Medicine).
Grows the brain structure
Engaging in language learning contributes to growing brain structure, specifically developing the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. This leads to sharper reasoning, improved visual planning, and better spatial navigation (Source: Science Daily).
Boosts valuable skills
The measurable impact of language learning on the brain also boosts other skills valuable in our career, such as better academic performance, improved concentration, a more powerful memory, boosted empathy for stronger communication skills, and enhanced creativity for problem-solving and decision-making (Source: Cambridge).
2. Missed opportunities and deeper connection
Develop a deeper connection with the Quran. Learning Quranic Arabic earlier in life allows you to connect deeper with the Quran’s meaning and beauty. This deeper understanding enables you to extract profound insights, derive personal reflections, and apply the Quranic teachings more effectively through life’s ups and downs.
Enhance the spiritual experience
By fostering a more intimate relationship with the word of Allah, you can facilitate a more profound sense of spiritual fulfilment, enlightenment, guidance, and connection with Allah in your acts of worship. Performing Umrah or Hajj also becomes a more profound experience when you can deeply connect with the Arabic words you say during rituals and prayer.
Intellectual growth and personal development
Learning a new language, especially one as rich and profound as Quranic Arabic, stimulates cognitive abilities, critical thinking skills, and linguistic competence. Moreover, delving into the depths of Quranic Arabic cultivates qualities such as patience, perseverance, humility, and reverence, which are essential for spiritual growth and personal resilience.
3. Enhanced skills in a globalised world
Learning Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) to understand the Quran in Arabic paves the way to mastering conversational Arabic, which can complement our personal and professional goals in many ways in today’s increasingly interconnected and globalised world.
Enhance social connection
You’ll be able to have meaningful conversations beyond basic greetings, fostering genuine connections with colleagues, neighbours, or friends from Arabic-speaking backgrounds.
Beautify your travel experience
Understanding Arabic can beautify your travel experience in Arabic-speaking regions. You’ll be able to engage more deeply with the culture, get around easier when you can understand signs and public transportation announcements, and explore areas beyond tourist spots with more confidence.
Opens up new business and career opportunities
Having Arabic language skills can be a valuable business or career asset in connecting with a wider range of clients and partners. Beyond business, Arabic is crucial in diplomacy, journalism, and academia, as it can bridge cultures, foster communication, and resolve conflicts.
In summary, learning Quranic Arabic not only enriches you personally and spiritually but also opens the path to many professional opportunities in an increasingly interconnected and globalised world. By delaying learning Arabic until retirement, you’ll diminish the opportunity to enjoy these benefits earlier in life.