If you are looking for something constructive to do this year, why don't you learn a new language? Taking language courses are a great way to stimulate the mind and you might even meet some people you like. If you are learning a language simply for the pleasure of conversing, a group course is a great way to do it. If you want to, it should be quite easy to find someone to practice with, as most people in the group will speak roughly the same level of the language.

Of course, language learning attracts people for a number of different reasons. Quite aside from learning for pleasure, some people find themselves in a position where it is essential to take a German course or French tuition, for example, in the name of work. If a company or similar organisation is funding your language training, it could be more efficient to select one-on-one study with a teacher, which ensures that the learning moves at your pace and is suited to your needs in particular.

If you want or need to learn a European language, there are no shortage of qualified teachers in the United Kingdom. This is largely due to the working arrangements of the European Union, which mean that citizens of full member states are free to work in any other member state (with some restrictions). In recent years, this has led to unprecedented movement between European countries and unparalleled access to top quality language tuition. The EU takes language issues seriously. Interestingly, almost as many people now leave Britain in an average year as arrive, meaning that there is a high demand for language tuition for those moving in both directions, not just for new arrivals who need English courses in Ireland, Wales, Scotland or England.

Of all foreign languages, the most popular (and supposedly easiest) for English speakers to learn is Spanish. It is a syllable-timed language and pronunciation is very regular. The varieties of Spanish used around the world do vary slightly: Latin American countries, for example, don't affect the lisp used in the Spanish mainland, or use the "vosotros" (you plural) form of verbs. If you are planning on spending any time in Latin America or Spain, your experience will be greatly enhanced by having a decent grasp of the Spanish language and it is highly recommended to take a Spanish course before leaving. You can always take advantage of a strong Pound at the other end and continue to take classes once you arrive in your destination.

If you are interested in learning a new language, why not give it a go? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!