benefits of learning a new language essay

Benefits of Knowing a Foreign Language

There are numerous advantages of learning a foreign language. Essay sample is focused on social, health, and other foreign language benefits, as well as reasons to learn another language.

Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language Essay Introduction

Benefits of learning a second language essay body, benefits of learning foreign language essay conclusion, works cited.

Why are foreign languages in demand and popularity? Not everyone probably thinks about it until they face a particular situation. Let us consider several reasons for bilingualism, such as advantages in career, travel, unlimited communication, cultural content, and the fact that knowing at least one foreign language makes the person smarter.

The first cause of foreign language usefulness is professional opportunities. You need to know a foreign language to increase your employability, work in a prestigious fast-growing company, and get the appropriate payment. It also applies to study and internships in foreign countries because plenty of companies are trying to learn from the experience of their foreign colleagues. In the case you know the foreign language, you can help in the translation of texts, preparation of documents, or during negotiations with foreign partners. Besides, you can learn some interesting and helpful information by reading foreign professional literature.

The second reason concerns traveling. Knowing the foreign language, you will be happy to listen to guided tours in original, chat with people with great ease and pleasure, and, who knows, maybe the foreign language you can speak will save the life of someone. Traveling around the world, you can always find your way, talk to the locals, learn about their lives and culture, and perhaps, receive a useful lesson (“Ten Amazing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Foreign Language,” par. 8). In other words, knowing the foreign language allows penetrating the traditions of the other culture.

The third reason in favor of knowledge of a foreign language is communication. Usually, to learn a foreign language well enough, it is necessary to plunge into the environment of living in that particular culture. In turn, such a dive does not pass entirely but forms certain personal qualities. For example, some studies have shown that people, who know more than one language, expand their horizons and are more likely to empathize taking the first steps in communication. Communication in a foreign language with native speakers will significantly strengthen your communication skills and develop life-long friendships (“Ten Amazing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Foreign Language,” par. 14).

Moreover, a foreign language helps you to enrich yourself culturally by watching movies in their original, listening to the voice and intonations of actors, and avoiding translators. You can listen to your favorite songs of foreign singers and understand their meaning with great pleasure. Despite the considerable amount of translated literature, the knowledge of a foreign language opens the door to the world of original literature. It is also essential to point out that by learning a foreign language, you can improve your native language as well. When people start to talk in a foreign language, which has its grammar, logic, and exceptions, they choose words and phrases in the native language to translate, which helps to increase the speech culture and vocabulary of the native language.

Besides, if you are interested in the events taking place in the world, the knowledge of the foreign language would be your advantage. You can easily understand the news as many world newspapers and Internet posts are published in a foreign language. Consequently, you will be able to understand the meaning of the above, taking into account all the details. It is much more objective than hearing a translation, where a lot can be unsaid or translated inappropriately. Thus, knowledge of a foreign language provides access to information, while it is commonly considered that he who owns the information – owns the world.

Finally, the last but not the least reason is probably, the most important. Knowledge of a foreign language expands consciousness. According to Merritt, “speaking a foreign language improves the functionality of your brain by challenging it to recognize, negotiate meaning, and communicate in different language systems” (par. 3). Your mind will be reconstructed to understand completely new concepts. In this sense, learning foreign languages is highly efficient due to switching codes. Switching from one language to another is a challenging job for the brain that is undoubtedly useful. Several studies have shown that among patients with dementia, symptoms began four years later in people who know two languages than in people who know one language (Merritt par. 6). In other words, the brain of bilinguals was struck but continued to operate at a higher level for a longer time.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that people are blacksmiths of their happiness, and a lot in life depends on them. Knowledge of foreign languages gives people plenty of advantages. It is the opportunity to travel around the world without an interpreter, to read foreign literature, to watch foreign films in the original, and to have friends from different countries. If you are willing to change something in your life for the better, then learn a foreign language, and maybe somewhere, there is a pleasant surprise waiting for you, such as an exciting journey or attractive employment.

Merritt, Anne. “ Why Learn a Foreign Language? Benefits of Bilingualism. ” The Telegraph . Telegraph Media Group, 2013.

“Ten Amazing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Foreign Language.” Lingholic . n.p., 2014.

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Learning Foreign Languages: What Are the Benefits? Essay

Have you ever wondered why some people have certain flexibility of mind? They can see problems from various standpoints, understand many views on a matter, and can find a suitable solution to a problem relatively easily. Good command of a foreign language is the major contributor to the person’s flexibility of mind, memory capacity, and ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances.

While it is true that there are numerous study areas for a student to become proficient in, having a good command of a foreign language enhances the overall learning capacity and may even improve your health.

• Studying any foreign language improves your memory and can even prevent a possible onset of Alzheimer’s disease (Jha par. 2).
• Studying a foreign language improves your ability to understand complex concepts and ideas in other fields of study (Bialystok and Martin 1).
• Studies have shown that learning foreign languages modifies the gray matter, responsible for processing the information in the brain (“Learning Languages ‘Boosts Brain’” par. 3).
• People with a good command of a foreign language can manage their daily schedules more effectively and even make smarter financial decisions (Woodruff par. 1).

(Speaking a foreign language not only improves your overall learning capacity but is also an asset to your professional resume.)

Learning a foreign language enhances your career prospects, including potentially higher salary (“What Is a Foreign Language Worth?” par. 9).

• Speaking at least one foreign language gives you a competitive edge in comparison with other candidates for the job position you choose.
• Speaking a foreign language improves your decision-making process (Caldwell-Harris par. 2), thereby enhancing your ability to reach a compromise in difficult situations.
• It can boost your confidence regarding your professional performance.
• It can improve your teamwork skills, which is extremely useful in a work setting in your future career.
• Being proficient in a foreign language may result in getting an internship position abroad, which will improve your professional competence.

(However, the advantages of learning a foreign language are not at all limited to the areas of your life involving work and studies. A foreign language opens up a whole new world of experience, the most exciting of which is traveling.)

Speaking a foreign language gives you an opportunity to discover foreign cultures while traveling.

• Speaking the local language when traveling is a unique opportunity to learn about a particular foreign culture in a profound way.
• By communicating with locals in their language, you can gain insights into their thinking patterns and mentality.
• The local people will appreciate your efforts, whether you speak fluently, or not.
• By befriending the locals, you will gain an opportunity to witness their culture on the inside, as they might invite you to spend some time in their home.
• By learning about another nation’s mentality, you have an opportunity to find out new ways of looking at familiar things, shift your perspective, and broaden your horizon. (Speaking the local language has many practical advantages. It can come in handy when buying souvenirs and other products at the local market.)
• By haggling in the local language, you gain the vendor’s respect and save money you would normally spend by paying the “sticker” price. (Finally, being proficient in a foreign language is an advantage in almost every area of your professional activities, studies, and leisure. This skill will enrich your life from many perspectives.)

Having a good command of a foreign language can enrich your personality and lead to many exciting and pleasant experiences.

• Speaking a foreign language makes you a well-rounded person who can share interesting insights into the mentality and culture of another nation.
• Thanks to this skill, you will be seen as a far more interesting and extraordinary person, which will, in turn, boost your confidence and self-esteem.
• Learning about foreign traditions and customs allows you to make comparisons with your own cultural background.
• These comparisons help better understand your culture.
• Moreover, it helps you see the influence of other cultures on the one of your own and understand the underlying reasons for the particular beliefs and values.
• By learning more about a foreign culture and the culture of your own, you will feel like a citizen of the world and a part of the global fabric of cross-cultural experience.
• The ability to speak a foreign language will not only make you an attractive employee but also more appealing to the opposite sex.

As you can see, learning a foreign language has multiple advantages. It improves your learning capacity, preserves your health, enhances your career prospects, enriches your traveling experience, and makes you a well-rounded and interesting person to encounter. Overall, these innumerable benefits outweigh the difficulties that we might have while studying the language. Isn’t it truly worth the effort?

Works Cited

Bialystok, Ellen and Michelle M. Martin. “Attention and Inhibition in Bilingual Children: Evidence from the Dimensional Change Card Sort Task.” Developmental science 7.3 (2004): 325-339. Print.

Caldwell-Harris, Catherine. How Knowing a Foreign Language Can Improve Your Decisions . 2012. Web.

Jha, Alok. Being Bilingual May Delay Alzheimer’s and Boost Brain Power . 2011. Web.

Learning Languages ‘Boosts Brain’ 2004. Web.

What Is a Foreign Language Worth? 2014. Web.

Woodruff, Mandi. Here’s Why Bilingual People Make Better Financial Choices . 2012. Web.

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IvyPanda . "Learning Foreign Languages: What Are the Benefits?" October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/learning-foreign-languages-what-are-the-benefits/.

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Why should you learn a new language?

Learning a new language is a complex task, but the benefits of language learning include social and cultural connections, as well as health and cognitive advantages. Research shows that it's never too early or too late to start learning a new language -- our brains are far more adaptive and flexible than previously thought, and our brains are built for language learning! Whether you are 8 or 80, learning French or Korean, studying a new language for the first time ever or for the first time in 50 years, there's never been more reason and more support for learning a new language.

Connect to people and cultures

Language is all about communication and connection, and studying a new language brings people and cultures closer to us. At the beginning, learning a language might feel like all vocabulary and grammar, but it doesn't take long to build up the skills to make meaningful connections in the new language. In fact, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (or CEFR ) prioritizes personal, family, and descriptive language for beginners.

Learners today have more access to more languages -- Duolingo has courses in 40 languages -- and so the importance of personal and cultural reasons for language study is becoming clearer. A recent report shows that interest in culture drives learners to Korean, and this trend is likely linked to the rise of Korean entertainment and media, including K-pop and Korean dramas. The study also shows that family reasons are especially important for those choosing to study Chinese. Language is such a strong link to heritage that in some places we see the local language has become more popular on Duolingo than languages like Spanish and French: Hawaiian and Japanese are now the second and third most popular languages to study in Hawaii, and Irish has overtaken Spanish as the most popular language to study in Ireland.

Challenge your brain

Adults' brains may not be quite as flexible as children's, but they are still really adaptable and ready to learn! Most learners can reach their communication goals without striving for the vaguely-defined concept of "fluency," and your adult brain is definitely equipped for that kind of language learning. Even after just a few months of language study, adult learners' brains show changes and even some processing patterns like those of native speakers. And after a year of learning, adults show improvements in the kind of cognitive adaptations that make bilinguals successful in switching between their languages.

Being bilingual trains your brain to perform a cognitively complex task: turning one language "down" while turning the other "up," in every interaction, for every word! Bilinguals' brains treat languages like a seesaw, raising one up higher when it's needed, and pushing lower the one not being used. This push-and-pull in their brains gets bilinguals practicing a specific kind of attention and control .

Bilinguals who codeswitch , or use both their languages in the same conversation, are getting another kind of cognitive workout by keeping their language seesaw balanced: they might move from all one language, to all another language, and then to really sophisticated systems of mixing that use both languages at once!

Support healthy aging

For older adults, language learning can serve as an engaging activity that promotes problem solving and strategizing, which research shows can improve cognitive functioning .

Languages provide new ways of interacting with people in our communities and around the world. While students may have the option of learning a new language in school, technology makes it easier than ever before for older adults to learn, too. Apps, virtual language meet-ups like Duolingo Events , and online forums give adults ways to engage directly with language practice partners and native speakers. Exploring new cultures, travel, and making new social connections with people around the world can also have a positive impact on older adults. For example, research shows that interacting more regularly with more people has benefits for older adults' health and quality of life .

Bilingual adults who use their languages regularly may even show a delayed onset of dementia symptoms compared to monolinguals -- bilingual brains are better able to resist the disease and function healthily for longer!

It's never too early or too late to start learning!

From your brain's perspective, people of any age can learn new languages -- but it's typically harder for adults to find the time and resources to get the learning to stick. Language learning takes time and patience, and it should also be enjoyable.

The best way to learn a language is whatever method motivates you to keep at it! Here are some ways to start your learning journey today:

• Use free tools and resources to try different things and discover what works for you.
• Find ways to practice a little bit at a time, every day. It's better to study 5 minutes every day than an hour one day a week!
• Link your study time with other parts of your schedule to help you remember and fit in language practice. You could do lessons with your morning coffee, read a bit on your afternoon commute, or listen to music in the language while working out.
• Label household objects with stickers of the words in the new language. You can go room-by-room or focus on the objects that you interact with the most.
• Watch shows on your favorite streaming service with audio in the new language and captions in your own language. This will help train your ear, and it won't even feel like studying!
• Find or create a playlist with songs in the language you're studying. This is a great way to get used to common phrases, and the repetition in songs is great for learning. The language will really get into your head!
• Follow social media accounts that post in the language you're learning, enabling you to see posts about your favorite topics in the language as you scroll.
• For languages you have some experience with, change your phone's interface to the language. You'll learn tons of useful vocabulary really quickly.

For more tips and learning ideas, check out the rest of the Duolingo Blog ! You'll find posts with activities for kids and the young at heart , ideas for staying motivated , and ways to improve specific skills, like speaking and reading !

Español: ¿Por qué deberías aprender un nuevo idioma?

Aprender un nuevo idioma es una tarea difícil, pero hacerlo trae beneficios como aumentar tus conexiones sociales y culturales, además de numerosas ventajas para tu mente y tu salud. Según estudios, nunca es demasiado tarde o demasiado temprano para empezar a aprender un nuevo idioma: nuestros cerebros son mucho más flexibles y pueden adaptarse más de lo que solía creerse, ¡y además están hechos para aprender idiomas! Ya sea que tengas 8 u 80 años, que estés aprendiendo francés o coreano, o que estés aprendiendo un nuevo idioma por primera vez o desde hace 50 años, nunca ha habido más razones para aprender y más formas de respaldar tu aprendizaje de un nuevo idioma.

Conéctate con personas y culturas

Lo esencial en los idiomas son la comunicación y el conectarnos, y aprender un nuevo idioma nos acerca más a otras personas y culturas. Al principio, aprender un idioma puede sentirse como solamente una repetición de vocabulario y gramática, pero no tardamos mucho en desarrollar las habilidades necesarias para formar una conexión importante con el nuevo idioma. De hecho, el Marco Común Europeo de Referencia ( MCER, o CEFR , en inglés) da prioridad a un lenguaje más personal, familiar y descriptivo para los principiantes.

Hoy, las personas que aprenden idiomas tienen un mayor acceso a más idiomas (Duolingo ofrece cursos en 40 idiomas), por lo que cada vez es más clara la importancia de los motivos personales y culturales para aprender idiomas. En un reporte reciente vimos que el interés en la cultura coreana conduce a las personas a aprender coreano, lo cual está seguramente ligado con el ascenso de los medios y entretenimiento coreanos, entre los que están el k-pop y los dramas coreanos. El estudio también demostró que los lazos familiares son uno de los factores más importantes a la hora de optar por aprender chino. El idioma tiene una conexión tan fuerte con la herencia que vemos que en algunos países es más común que las personas aprendan el idioma local en Duolingo que otro idioma como el español o el francés: el hawaiano y el japonés son ahora el segundo y el tercer idioma más popular para aprender en Hawái y el irlandés superó al español como el idioma más popular para aprender en Irlanda.

Desafía a tu mente

Quizás los cerebros de los adultos no sean tan flexibles como los de los niños y niñas, ¡pero aún así tienen una alta capacidad de adaptación y están listos para aprender! La mayoría de las personas que aprenden idiomas pueden alcanzar sus metas comunicativas * sin la necesidad de recurrir a un concepto tan vago como la “fluidez” y, además, el cerebro de los adultos tiene todo lo necesario * para ese tipo de aprendizaje de idiomas. Incluso después de unos pocos meses * de aprendizaje de idiomas, el cerebro de los adultos presenta cambios y hasta ciertos patrones de procesamiento comparables con los de un hablante nativo. Después de todo un año de aprendizaje, los adultos muestran el tipo de adaptación cognitiva que permite a los hablantes bilingües alternar entre sus idiomas.*

Ser bilingüe entrena a tu cerebro para realizar una tarea cognitiva compleja: “bajar” un idioma mientras el otro “sube”... ¡en cada interacción, para cada palabra! Los cerebros de las personas bilingües tratan a los idiomas como un sube y baja, donde uno queda en alto cuando es necesario y el otro queda debajo cuando no es utilizado. Este movimiento en sus cerebros permite que las personas bilingües practiquen un tipo específico de atención y control .*

Aquellas personas que pueden poner en práctica la alternancia de código ; es decir, usar ambos idiomas en una misma conversación, están realizando un ejercicio cognitivo * diferente, al mantener equilibrado ese sube y baja de idiomas: quizás no pasan completamente de un idioma al otro del todo ¡o quizás emplean un sistema sofisticado * donde mezclan ambos idiomas para utilizarlos al mismo tiempo!

Un envejecimiento lleno de vitalidad

En el caso de los adultos mayores, el aprendizaje puede servir como una actividad entretenida que promueva la resolución de problemas y el pensamiento estratégico, los cuales pueden mejorar el desempeño cognitivo ,* según indican los estudios.

Los idiomas nos proveen de nuevas formas de interactuar con los miembros de nuestras comunidades y con comunidades en todo el mundo. Aunque se puede elegir aprender un nuevo idioma en una escuela, la tecnología hace que aprender hoy sea más fácil que nunca, incluso para los adultos mayores. Las apps, las reuniones virtuales de idiomas como Duolingo Events * y los foros en línea dan a los adultos nuevas maneras de interactuar directamente con otras personas que aprenden idiomas y con hablantes nativos. Explorar nuevas culturas, viajar y establecer nuevos lazos sociales con personas en todo el mundo también puede tener un impacto positivo en la vida de los adultos mayores. Por ejemplo, los estudios demuestran que interactuar con una mayor regularidad con personas ha beneficiado la salud y calidad de vida de los adultos mayores .*

Los adultos bilingües que utilizan sus idiomas de forma regular incluso podrían retrasar el inicio de los síntomas de demencia , en comparación con los adultos monolingües: los cerebros de las personas bilingües son mejores al momento de resistir la enfermedad y funcionan de forma sana por más tiempo.

¡Nunca es muy tarde o muy temprano para empezar a aprender!

Si pensamos desde tu cerebro, las personas de cualquier edad pueden aprender un nuevo idioma, pero en general es más difícil para los adultos hacerse del tiempo y los recursos para retener lo que aprendieron. Aprender idiomas lleva tiempo y paciencia, y también debería ser algo que disfrutar.

¡La mejor forma de aprender un idioma es utilizar el método que más te motive a seguir aprendiendo! Aquí hay algunas formas de empezar hoy tu nueva aventura de aprendizaje:

• Usa herramientas y recursos gratuitos para intentar diferentes cosas y descubrir qué funciona mejor para ti.
• Encuentra formas de practicar un poco cada vez y cada día. ¡Es mejor aprender durante 5 minutos cada día * que una hora por semana!
• Inserta tu tiempo de aprendizaje en otros momentos de tu día para recordar e incluir la práctica de idiomas en tu día a día. Podrías hacer lecciones mientras bebes tu café por la mañana, leer un poco mientras usas el transporte público por la tarde o escuchar música en el idioma que estás aprendiendo mientras estás ejercitándote.
• Etiqueta los objetos de tu casa con calcomanías que incluyan cómo se dicen esas palabras en tu nuevo idioma. Puedes ir cuarto por cuarto y enfocarte en los objetos que más utilizas.
• Ve programas en tu televisor o servicio de streaming favorito con el audio configurado en el idioma que estás aprendiendo y subtítulos en tu propio idioma. Esto te ayudará a entrenar tu oído... ¡y además no se sentirá como que estás estudiando!
• Busca o crea una lista de reproducción con canciones en el idioma que estás aprendiendo. Es una gran forma de acostumbrarte a las frases más comunes. Por otra parte, la repetición en las canciones es genial para aprender. ¡El idioma realmente entrará en tu cabeza!
• Sigue cuentas en redes sociales que hagan publicaciones en el idioma que estás aprendiendo, de forma tal que veas publicaciones sobre tus temas favoritos en ese idioma mientras lees las publicaciones de tus contactos.
• Si ya tienes algunos conocimientos, cambia la interfaz de tu teléfono a ese idioma. Aprenderás una gran cantidad de vocabulario útil muy rápido.

Para más tips e ideas para aprender, ¡no dejes de leer el resto del blog de Duolingo ! Podrás encontrar publicaciones con actividades para niños y niñas y para todos aquellos que son jóvenes por dentro ,* ideas para que mantengas tu motivación y formas de mejorar habilidades específicas, como hablar y leer .

• Enlace en inglés.

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12 Amazing Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language

In today’s hyper-connected, fast-paced world, there are  many reasons to learn another language.

Perhaps you’re one of the lucky ones who grew up speaking two languages as a native bilingual. If so, you have some unique advantages compared to the rest of us.

However, if you’re looking to become bilingual, you’ve got good things going for you too.

Below are 12 awesome side effects of becoming bilingual — or multilingual !

Why Learn a Second Language?

1. you can talk with more people., 2. it’s a major advantage in the workforce., 3. traveling is easier and more fulfilling., 4. you gain cultural knowledge and perspective., 5. you have access to more information and entertainment., 6. it improves your communication skills., 7. it makes other languages easier too., 8. you can help more people., 9. it improves a ton of cognitive functions., 10. it delays the effects of aging., 11. it boosts your creativity., 12. your self-confidence will soar., which language should i learn, how do i get started.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

What’s the fastest way to make 1.2 billion friends?

Learn Chinese !

But seriously—learning another language gives you uncountable opportunities to meet and connect with others due to the simple fact that you can talk to more people.

Of course, learning another language allows you to meet people who already speak that language, too.  For one, you can connect with fellow language learners .  Another way is to find a language exchange partner .

Or chat with your taxi driver. Make small talk with the store clerk. Get to know the man who sits next to you on a long bus ride.

These people might have the potential to become your new business partner, best friend or soul mate. That’s pretty thrilling!

You don’t even need to be fluent to get started.

When I traveled around Myanmar, I spent a couple weeks in a city called Yangon. I only knew the basics of the Burmese language, but I was determined to practice those few phrases at every opportunity.

One street vendor was so taken with my efforts that he spent 30 minutes trying to communicate with me about his family, work and life philosophy. Not only did I leave that conversation with new language skills, but also with a free bag of food and a hug!

But the conversations are just the beginning.

Communicating in someone’s native language  also shows respect, and it allows you to connect on a deeper level. You might be surprised how open people are when you speak their mother tongue.

Adding a second (or third, or fourth) language to your CV gives you an unparalleled advantage in today’s global economy.

More and more employers are looking for people who speak multiple languages . This is especially true for fields like customer service, hospitality, health care, information technology and administrative work.

Multilingual people can communicate and interact with diverse communities. This is a valuable asset in an employee’s skill set.

You definitely up your professional value if you can negotiate with manufacturers in another country or communicate with customers who don’t speak your native language.

Plus, fluency in a foreign language opens up opportunities abroad which simply are not available to monolingual job hunters.

Your ability to speak another language also conveys that you’re motivated and driven to learn new skills.

It’s possible that you could be compensated for maintaining your language skills through foreign proficiency bonus pay, too—take the US military for example.

Which language is best? Try learning Spanish, Arabic or Mandarin Chinese to give yourself an edge !

Traveling—whether for business, vacation or visiting family or friends—is much easier if you speak the language of your destination:

• Restaurants. Most non-speaking travelers resort to the “point and hope” method of ordering food. But when you know the local language, you can order specific foods you know you like or want to try. 
• Transportation. If you’re in a big city, you might hear some English translations. But the farther away you get from the capital, the less likely you are to hear any familiar words. Where you are, where you’re going and how you get there is all going to be communicated in the country’s native language.
• Signs.  If every sign you see is just random squiggles, there are bound to be problems. Where’s the bathroom? Which way is the subway? What’s the name of this road? Which side of the road should I be driving on? Signs are everywhere, and they’re often important.
• Avoid miscommunication.  Most visitors who don’t speak the language struggle to communicate even the simplest things to locals. Suddenly, trying to buy a shirt or deposit money at the bank becomes lost in translation.

Language helps you understand the world.

Learning another language isn’t just about words and grammar. Knowledge of the society and culture behind that language is necessary to achieve any degree of fluency.  The history and  culture  of a people are reflected in the language,  and vice versa.

It’s important to remember that languages aren’t simply different sets of words to express the same ideas—they’re entirely different outlooks on the world.

Linguistic relativity  is the concept that  language dramatically shapes the way we think about, perceive and interact with the world around us.  Most people who speak multiple languages will tell you there’s a profound spiritual and emotional element to it.

Allow this to open you up to the world, broaden your horizons and bring you closer to people of all races and nationalities.

You may develop a deep appreciation for another culture, fall in love with a native speaker or become unlikely friends with someone totally different from you.

Perhaps the most fun perk to learning another language is consuming native media .

You’ll have access to a whole new selection of music, movies, TV shows, books, news programs, podcasts, websites and more.

Of course, it takes time and effort to reach a level where this is comfortable. But there’s plenty of multilingual content to get you started!

For example, people who speak Spanish and English can understand every word of the songs of Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Pitbull and other internationally-successful Latin pop stars.

Japanese and English speakers hold claim to some mind-blowing “Kill Bill” scenes and the cultural miscommunication in “Lost in Translation.”

It may take a while, but try not to get frustrated on your path to understanding— consistency is key.

One day you’ll be reading or listening to something in your target language and suddenly realize that you understood it with no extra effort at all.

Of course, learning a second language improves your listening and speaking skills.

You’ll learn to listen more effectively and to be as clear as possible when you’re talking. The ability to clarify intended meanings will benefit you in any situation and any tongue.

You’ll likely gain reading and writing skills as well. You’ll think more carefully about the words you use and the meaning you’re expressing in your non-native language.

In fact, your acquired language literally helps you think more logically, process information and speak more evenly .

Learning another language will also make you more adept at piecing together information and interpreting context, whether it’s an unclear situation or cross-cultural communication.

The ability to look at things from various angles and understand someone else’s perspective means you’ll be able to communicate more respectfully and more effectively in any language.

Learning your first language happens naturally through observation, so many people don’t explicitly know the underlying rules or logic of it.

To learn a second language, though, you pretty much have to learn the rules .

Many people who learn another language discover that they also gain unanticipated benefits in their first language, like becoming more conscious of and knowledgeable about their native grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

If you learn another Indo-European language (such as French ) as a native English speaker, you’ll likely discover significant amounts of borrowed vocabulary, which will help you better understand how English became English .

What’s more, the acquisition techniques you use to learn your second language can be applied to subsequent languages too.

Learning a language trains your brain to analyze and process various linguistic structures. Your brain learns to identify language-learning techniques and break them into steps—and will do the same with other foreign languages!

So, studying your second language increases your ability to replicate this “metalinguistic awareness” process later. Your brain’s increased knowledge of syntax, grammar and sentence structure will give you a head start on learning your third language.

Studying a foreign language doesn’t have to be all about you!

Perhaps it’s obvious, but speaking another language allows you to help more people.

For example, if you’re a certified teacher with multilingual abilities, consider using your unique language skills to teach others. You could help out refugees in your home country, tutor students while living abroad or simply teach your friends and family the language(s) you speak.

If you can’t or don’t want to teach, there’s volunteer programs around the world where multilingual speakers are a particularly valuable asset to the team. Medical assistance programs, educational consultancies and cultural events are good places to find volunteer opportunities.

Being the bridge of communication between cultures is a great feeling, and the joy you’ll get from helping someone in need will make all the hard work of learning the language worth it.

Learning another language makes you smarter—and not just because you’ll know more words and grammar structures.

Acquiring a second language improves memory, increases attention span and strengthens problem-solving abilities.

Check out this video by the British Broadcasting Corporation that breaks down the advantages of learning new languages.

In fact, studies have shown that multilingual people:

• are more logical
• use more of their brains
• have better working memories
• can switch between tasks more quickly
• have greater self-control
• are more focused
• make better financial decisions

All of these executive function benefits are likely the result of the bilingual brain’s constant need to choose the correct language and words to speak at any given moment, as well as its ability to detect which language it’s hearing.

Of course, the younger you are when you begin learning a second language, the easier it will be and the quicker you’ll see the effects. And for children especially, learning another language can help build social, cognitive and emotional intelligence,  as well as lead to higher standardized test scores .

Learning a foreign language may also teach children to be more culturally accepting—just as it helps adults broaden their perspective and cultural knowledge.

Further, not only do these advantages make it easier to learn more languages, as mentioned above, they make it easier to learn anything .

It’s thought that all this is because learning languages helps your brain exercise, sort of like how bodybuilders grow and tone their muscles . And who wouldn’t love to be strong?

If picking up a language as an adult looks good, doing it as a senior is even more impressive!

Having multiple languages under your belt as you age can also have major advantages.

In particular, research has shown that knowing more than one language can potentially reduce the risk of dementia and delay Alzheimer’s Disease.

Regardless of education level, gender or occupation, multilingual subjects in this study experienced the onset of Alzheimer’s about four and a half years later than monolingual subjects.

Study results also show that speaking more than one language increases the amount of neural pathways in the brain.

This allows information to be processed through a greater variety of channels and can keep your brain sharp as you age.

Anyone learning a language has experienced moments of serious linguistic problem solving.

You know what you want to say, but not in the language you’re currently speaking. You can’t move forward without the word, so you have to get creative.

Using your second language requires you to learn how to give clues, context, explanations and/or gestures to get your point across. It improves your skills in divergent thinking—the ability to identify multiple solutions to a single problem.

Because, on top of your limited language and mental roadblocks, you usually need to consider different linguistic and cultural nuances too.

All of this helps you think outside the box.

As a matter of fact, researchers are also concluding that multilingual speakers are more creative than monolingual speakers. This is likely because learning a foreign language gives you leeway to experiment with new words and phrases.

So, every time you stumble over those words and phrases, remember that you’re actually training your brain and developing skills that benefit every aspect of your life.

Confidence increases as you learn a new skill—like speaking a foreign language!

Some of this may come from learning something you enjoy, but language instruction also relies heavily on social interaction. Conversations with native speakers are essential to mastering your target language.

At first, speaking can definitely cause some anxiety . But don’t be afraid to let your conversation partners know that you want to practice. It’s a great way to break the ice and start making new friends.

Because English is such a global language, native English speakers who make the effort to learn a foreign tongue are often received with gratitude and curiosity. You might be surprised how many people will want to help you practice!

And remember that practice itself can be a confidence builder.

As you learn and get better at the language, you’ll find that you have increased self-awareness and more confidence wielding your second language… which can also make you more attractive to others!

Truly, people will respect the fact that you’re learning another language. Native speakers will be impressed with your dedication, friends and family will be proud of your motivation and strangers will be interested in your story.

So get learning and build up that confidence!

While there’s advantages for learning any language, some are inevitably more useful than others .

You can check out this post for a more detailed guide to answering this question, but if you’re really not sure where to start, check out the benefits of the languages below to see if any strike your fancy:

• Spanish : As one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world, Spanish comes with plenty of benefits.
• French : Learning French has many pros—like becoming fluent in the language of romance.
• German : If you’re interested in central Europe at all, German is a great way to get familiar with the area and culture.
• Japanese : Learning Japanese is likely an opportunity to discover a completely different culture and way of thinking.

Gone are the days when the only way to learn a second language was becoming stranded in a foreign country or going back to high school language classes.

These days, there are many ways to learn online to become proficient in the language of your choice.

For example, maybe you plan to study on your own . Set yourself up for success by setting goals, being consistent and making sure you get lots of language input.

Depending on the language you choose, you may need to learn a new alphabet system . You’ll definitely need to learn a lot of vocab .

Just because you have to learn grammar doesn’t mean you can’t have fun though! You can absolutely make your studying as enjoyable as possible — try watching movies , for example!

If you don’t feel ready to watch full-length movies in your target language, don’t worry. Try shorter ones first, like Disney movies dubbed in your preferred language.

You can also prepare with FluentU.

Obviously, there’s many benefits of learning a second language. So no matter which tools you use to learn it, you won’t regret doing it!

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The benefits of learning a second language

by Jennifer Smith

Learning a new language takes time and dedication. Once you do, being fluent in a second language offers numerous benefits and opportunities. Learning a second language is exciting and beneficial at all ages. It offers practical, intellectual and many aspirational benefits

In today's world, there are over 7,000 languages, and learning at least one will help you in life massively. Although it has been proven that it is easier for children to learn a second language, it is certainly never too late to learn, and the benefits definitely reward the effort and dedication.

Whatever your age, being bilingual certainly has its advantages, especially in today's global society. Here are the top benefits of learning a second language:

Better job prospects

In today's business dominated society, being bilingual can only be an advantage and gives you a competitive edge when searching for jobs, or maintaining your current employment.

Companies who plan to expand into overseas market are constantly looking for bilingual staff, who of which are well-paid and receive excellent benefits, as they will ultiamtely give the company a huge competitive advantage.

By learning a second language, you will be indispensable at your place of work as you can easily bridge the cultural gap between the two countries, and those with the ability to speak a second language are more likely to find a job.

Brain health

Medical studies has shown the positive effects learning a second language has on the brain.

Studies showed that learning a second language significantly delayed the onset of many brain related diseases such as Alzheimer and dementia, compared to those who can only speak their native tongue.

Travel and leisure

Learning a new language opens up a world of new opportunities. If you choose to learn a commonly spoken language, such as Spanish, French or German, you can travel practically anywhere in the world and not have trouble with translations.

You can confidently go about your business and in another country and speak freely to locals and other travellers. You will have a much better experience as you can effectively communicate with much more people, which will ultimately open up your mind and put things into different perspectives regarding the different cultures of the world.

Improved first language

As we go about our everyday lives, we rarely give a second thought to our own grammatical structure and vocabulary. However, when learning a new language, many people find they have a greater understanding of their first language.

Learning a second language focuses your attention on the grammatical rules constructions of that language. This experience gives people a new insight into their own language and ultimately leads to them improving their mother tongue, which will improve their everyday lives.

Improved understanding of the world

Learning a new language gives you a greater global understanding of the world we live in. Even by learning a few phrases, never mind a whole language, you will access many fascinating cultures around the world and understand the differences between the two countries.

You will have access to a whole new array of film, music and literature, and a greater understanding of the history and culture of the nation and ultimately a better understanding of the way the world works, including politics and security.

Experience new cultures

The world is a cauldron of rich and interesting cultures. Learning a new language allows you to access many different cultures across the world.

You will have the chance to see fascinating new things from a new perspective, which not many people can, and connect with the new people all over the world.

Different culture has its own music, style, history, literature and many more interesting things which you will be able to enjoy and understand. You will be able to connect through books, TV, the internet and converse with a whole countries worth of people, ultimately broadening your horizons, interests and views. A whole new world will be open to you.

Achievement

Learning a new language is a an achievement anyone can be proud of and is extremely satisfying. Once the hard work and effort has paid off, you will experience the many benefits associated with learning a new language and you will have a new found confidence.

Learning a new language will open up our world in ways a monoglot would never have the chance of experiencing. Your mind will be constantly be engaged and you will gain an insight into many different cultures. Learning a second language also makes it easier to learn a third, which will certainly broaden your horizons.

Written by Jennifer Smith on behalf of Kwintessential , the translation specialists.

More information about how to improve brain function https://www.themanlyzone.com/naturally-improve-brain-function/

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