Advantages of Learning Foreign Language
27.7K I became addicted to learning new languages when I was 7 years old. My grandfather was quite good in German and French, so he decided to share the joy of speaking multiple languages with me. The best gift I ever got from anybody! We had so much fun while studying together.
It’s been almost a decade since that time, but I still love playing those simple linguistic games we designed with my grandpa.
Moreover, I never stopped my inquiries. I did not only deepen my knowledge of German and French but also mastered Italian and Spanish. Surely, I am far from being fluent in each of those languages, but I am on my way!
Learning a foreign language might seem to be hard and exhausting, but I’m here to vanish all your doubts. Every step you are about to make would be worth the effort.
Acquiring a new skill can’t be easy. You’ll definitely encounter tons of difficulties, but none of those should stop you.
I’ll tell you about several essential benefits of speaking multiple languages. I know those things would light you up whenever you feel down.
Moreover, they would be a perfect fit for an “Advantages of learning a foreign language” essay of yours.
So, how is learning a foreign language useful for your brain?
#1. Improves the overall speed of learning
While you are learning a new language, your cognitive abilities are increasing. For example, memorizing words will train your memory. Also, once you grasp the general concepts of language, you’ll be able to understand other intuitively.
#2. Boosts mathematical abilities
In 2007, the University of Massachusetts conducted a study to show that children who learn a second language enhance their math skills. The answer is obvious: the learning of language involves structural and logical connections in your brain. Those are the same connections you need to process mathematical methods.
#3. Increases attention to details
Each language has own set of rules, own structure and lexis. It all might catch you off guard and seem incredibly difficult at first. Still, once you sit down and concentrate you’ll be able to grasp all the essential elements to work, into a conversation. That is an extremely proficient process to boost your ability to concentrate and be attentive.
#4. Enhances the ability to Multi-Task
Multi-tasking is quite a stressful process for any non-trained brain. Learning a new language teaches you to slip from one language system to another with ease. This, in turn, increases the overall ability of your brain to jump from one task to another much quicker and with less stress.
#5. Boosts your creativity
Learning a language is the collection of the small pieces which create a great picture. The more you dive into the language you learn, the more you understand about the other culture and way of thinking. This process leads to a brand new understanding of the world and connections in it. It is like seeing every small thing for the very first time. How can one be non-creative after this?
#6. Keeps your brain healthy
Due to the numerous studies, learning two or more languages helps you keep your mind healthy and even postpone the first signs of dementia for up to 5 years. These studies considered various factors, like educational level, basic income, gender, physical health and so on. The results were consistent.
Those are powerful reasons to start learning a foreign language today, huh?
…Not quite enough for you?
Well, luckily, there is much more bilingualism has to offer! How about benefits for your future career, huh?
Let’s see what are they and maybe you’d want to include those in your “benefits of learning a second language” essay
#7. Raises confidence
Setting a goal and achieving it inevitably leads to confidence. Especially, when your goal is a major one, like mastering a foreign language. That process takes a lot of time and dedication. And, once you start you are never allowed to stop learning, for there is a high risk to lose it all. Still, the reward for your hard work is also enormous! Your confidence rises up every second you are engaged in a dialogue with a native speaker of a language you struggled to master.
#8. Enhances cultural awareness
The desire to grasp a new language for you is the direct embodiment of the foreign country’s culture. Watching a movie or reading a book won’t tell you much about the culture and traditions. But the regular conversation with people will. It would make you more diverse as a person, as well as allow you to discover a different culture and mentality directly.
#9. Opens up new career opportunities
Multilingual specialists are always welcomed on the market. Statistic says that the knowledge of at least two languages can increase your salary by more than 15%. Why so? The employer would definitely benefit from your skill, as you’ll be able to communicate with prospective partners, set up a greater network and bring more customers. Your value increases, as well as your career opportunities. Profit.
#10. You learn one, next comes soooo much easier
Learning a second language makes you obtain a set of specific skills. You learn to understand the structure of the language, how they work together and details, etc. That is how your brain learns to analyze various linguistic structures. Once done that, you’ll be able to learn languages way faster. Those specific connections in your brain are called “metalinguistic awareness,” but they can’t be built with the usage of native language only.
#11. Breaks the borders
This quote is the one I always bear in mind. Speaking only one language limits you to one culture, a couple of countries (if you are lucky) and that’s it. Not that much, especially in the globalized world. Learning a second language breaks the borders, literally and metaphorically. As a bilingual you’ll be able to talk to people from other countries and cultures, thus it would be easier to travel and discover the world. Also, it would break the frame of your worldview and widen the horizons. Who can resist?
By now, I hope you have enough information for your essay on the benefits of learning a second language.
Moreover, I hope you became motivated to start learning your second language today.
I wish you to be persistent and keep calm. Remember, the learning process might be hard, but the reward is more than worth all the effort!
Have got a perfect mood to start learning your second language, but there are dozens of assignments waiting to be completed? No worries! We’ll back you up with your essays, while you enjoy things that matter.
