The Benefits Of Learning A Second Language

The world is becoming a smaller place with so much common global interests that learning a second language has become almost a necessity. It is also very handy when you travel

With so many different languages globally, knowing a second language can give a person an edge in a multilingual world. This advantage could be used almost anywhere which includes the work area, a foreign province or a country, and least of all even in our schools.

Today there are many jobs that would benefit from a second language. In other words, it could help anyone from a taxi-driver to a grocery clerk. No matter what career you choose, if you’ve learned a second language, you’ll have a real advantage. A technician who is able to speak German and the Executive who is able to converse in Spanish or a salesman who can talk fluently in French or Chinese has the ability to interact more successfully with more people and in many more places than someone who knows only one language.

Learning a second language at an early age has a positive effect on academic growth and definitely enriches and enhances a child's mental development. In other words, it provides students with more flexibility in their thinking, sensitivity to the language, and by far a better ear for listening. It also improves the child's understanding of their native language. The advantages are so powerful and it imparts cultural stimulation and assists the child to understand and appreciate people from other countries and become increasingly aware of other cultures and traditions. Basically, it gives a child the ability to communicate with people whom they would otherwise not have the chance to know.

It also provides the base or a foundation for the language requirements in college, and last of all, it increases their chances in the global job markets, where knowing another language is a real asset. They would be able to communicate with more people and it could get them a better higher paid job.

However, a ’second language’ is a nice sounding development. But without the opportunity for utilization, it becomes more of a waste. As a language without utilization just doesn’t work, and will amount to a huge waste of time.

They say that Spanish has become the dominant language in the Miami area and it is said that over 50% of the residents are Spanish speaking. To top it all, many residents were leaving the area because they were unable to find jobs because of their inability to speak Spanish. Besides, in some areas of the city, Spanish was the only language spoken.

The government will not do anything that would possibly make English the official language. On the other hand, as Spanish speakers become the majority, would they have any motivation to learn English?

Hence, while it is nice to know two or more languages and if one of them is not English, then you are increasingly sidetracked in a world where the official language of Science is English, the language of the Internet is English, the language of Pilots and Aviation is English and the language of Commerce is English.

On a closing note, a second language can not only challenge your mind, but can also teach you empathy and consideration.