When traveling, knowing a few important phrases in another language can be very beneficial. As you know, not all people speak English, and you may need to get answers to various simple questions in another language. Traveling, however, is just one of many reasons why learning a foreign language is good for students. Knowing foreign languages can be a great advantage for your academic and professional career. Besides, learning a new language is always a good exercise for your brain.
While learning a few phrases to help you find an airport or ATM abroad won’t take much time, reaching fluency requires a lot of commitment, and it can take years of practice. College students who understand how challenging learning another language often find it difficult to fit language studies in their busy schedules. For students who major in foreign languages, such challenges can be an additional source of motivation. In contrast, students who are not sure whether or not they should take language classes need to have solid reasons to make a decision about investing their time into learning a foreign language.
About two billion people from all over the world speak English. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many native English speakers don’t understand why they should learn another language in the first place. The number of students enrolled in foreign-language courses steadily declines. At the same time, it’s important to keep in mind that as much as 72% of the world population don’t use English even as a second language.
Of course, many people don’t need to use other languages in their lives at all. However, students who decide to learn foreign languages do it not only to get by in a foreign country. For example, knowing another language can offer you some career advantages. The demand for bilingual employees in the job market constantly grows, and professionals who speak Spanish, Chinese, or Arabic are especially popular among employers.
Spanish skills are a great competitive advantage for U.S. employees. The number of Spanish speakers increased by 233% from 1980 to 2011, and employees who speak both English and Spanish enable companies to expand their market reach. Chinese is the most popular language in the world, and businesses from different niches work with Chinese companies all the time, so knowing this language can also offer great benefits.
Not only is learning a foreign language beneficial for your career, but it is also beneficial for your brain. Learning foreign languages stimulates cognitive processes and improves overall brain activity. According to research, language learners demonstrate better concentration, well-developed multitasking skills, and better memory. Obviously, learning another language can also provide a sense of fulfillment. You can learn about other cultures and connect with people from other countries, even if they don’t speak English.
Language skills can be useful not only in the context of employment but also for education. If you’re looking for good scholarships or internships, you may realize that English-only programs are not as popular as programs intended for students with language skills. If you want to succeed when studying abroad, you should make sure that your language is good enough.
No matter where your university or college is located, the chances are that you will have to deal with many writing assignments, so you should make sure that it won’t be a problem for you. American students can always order high-quality custom papers on websites like BetterWritingServices.com, but it may be difficult for you to find such services in another country.
Foreign languages can be a great addition to many other areas of study. Language departments in many educational institutions have courses where foreign languages are integrated into other disciplines, including social services, business, engineering, and health. This way, students can better prepare for their future careers.
Of course, you don’t need to major or minor in a foreign language to learn it, but you should certainly consider it as an option. Many language majors are, in fact, double majors. Moreover, languages are the most popular double majors.
Numerous organizations and government structures, including the military, the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, CIA, and NSA, are always looking for multilingual employees. The need for multilingual professionals is constantly growing. Nevertheless, fewer than 10% of the U.S. Department of Defense workers know foreign languages. Therefore, if you want to build a career in government, language skills can offer a significant advantage.
By learning the grammar of other languages, you can also better understand your native language. For example, learning Chinese or Russian forces you to pay particular attention to your intonation. In some languages, the way you emphasize words in sentences can have a significant impact on the overall meaning. Understanding the importance of intonation in other languages will help you be more aware of the way you emphasize words in English. Similarly, familiarizing yourself with foreign grammar rules encourages you to pay more attention to your English grammar.
Language classes can not only teach you reading and writing but also educate you about other cultures, their geography, politics, and history. As a result, you can better understand various global issues and get valuable insights into the worldview of people from other parts of the world. Therefore, you can also become a more empathetic and thoughtful person, which is a great thing for both professional and personal growth.
Learning foreign languages can offer you some great career opportunities and stimulate your personal growth. Of course, college students may find it difficult to incorporate language learning into their busy schedules. Learning a new language requires a lot of commitment, but if you manage to find some time for your studies and have enough motivation, you will never regret your decision to learn a foreign language.
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About the Author: Kelly Young is a seasoned essay ghostwriter and expert when it comes to essay writing services. Kelly likes learning new languages and improving her speaking skills. You can read more about her on her blog.
