There are many reasons to learn another language. It may be to pass a course in school. It may be because we need to travel for work or for play. Or, we may be considering living or working in another country. If you are serious about learning another language, one of the best things you can do is immerse yourself in the culture as much as possible.

Much of what we know as language goes far beyond the spoken or written word. It really reaches to how we think or conceptualize. Even if we have the vocabulary and the grammar, we often have a problem communicating with someone from another culture, because we don't have the same reference points. One excellent illustration of this is found in Latin America. Although the vast majority speak Spanish, people from different nations often don't understand each other completely. Different idioms or expressions used in one country don't necessarily translate to another. Another example can be found in comparing English and 'American'. Although speaking the same language, we often can't comprehend the references behind the speech, so we don't really understand.

One way to deal with this difficulty is to immerse yourself in the culture. If you are studying a language in school, this can be difficult. For instance, if you are learning Spanish, you may learn something about Spain, but this won't help much if you go to Mexico or Ecuador or Peru. Each country has its own culture and mindset - sometimes more than one. For example, Ecuador has three very different, distinct major regions; the coast, the mountains and the interior jungle. People on the coast are more open, talkative and a bit loose with their grammar. People in the mountains are more reserved, speaking a more 'correct' type of Spanish. And people on the interior are more heavily influenced by the indigenous population. So even traveling within one country can pose challenges.

What can you do to overcome these obstacles? Try to surround yourself with the sounds and sights of the area you are interested in. Try to get some music from the area and have it playing constantly in the background. But be specific - although Peruvians and Mexicans both speak Spanish, their music is completely different (as is the music within regions of Mexico). Also, try to find television channels or radio stations in another language. Or, watch your favorite DVDs in another language, if you can find the one you are trying to learn. Better yet, try to find foreign or independent films made in the country of choice.

Above all, remember that the reason to learn another language is to communicate. Without understanding, there is no communication. And one of the best ways to begin to understand someone is to get an idea of where they are coming from, an idea of their culture.