Learning a language requires a lot of effort, it can be time-consuming, and it will take a while for you to become fluent. So, why should we bother learning a second or foreign language?
Learning anything can be difficult, but just because something is hard doesn't mean we shouldn't at least try. Yes, learning a language requires energy and focus, but there are so many benefits that come with learning a foreign language. Those who grew up speaking different languages, whether at home or school, understand those benefits.
Most people around the world are bilingual. But what are those benefits?
Communication Becomes Easier
There are over thousands of languages in this world, and while most people can communicate with each other without even needing words, it is much easier to do so when you know the language. However, that doesn't mean you have to learn every single language in the world!
You can focus on learning one that you know you will need in the future, perhaps because you wish to visit a certain country. Or you can learn one that is spoken by most around the world. Both of these options will allow you to communicate with a wider range of people.
I certainly love this particular part of knowing multiple languages, since it allows me to make more friends. That's because it is much easier to connect with others when you are speaking in their language. Knowing the language will open you up to more communities and cultures.
Not only does it improve your ability to connect with others, but it can also improve your English grammar skills. This often happens when someone learns a language similar to English or has the same roots as English. However, learning any foreign language can improve your grammar skills, since you will gain a greater understanding of grammar and vocabulary.
You Will Learn About Other Cultures
Learning a new language is a long journey, which you can't accomplish on your own. You can't just learn a language with textbooks and online resources (though they are an effective way to learn the basics of a language and its alphabet); you also need to interact with others and immerse yourself in their culture. Language is a direct connection to culture, and by learning one, you will be immersed in a new world of traditions, history, religion, and arts.
Furthermore, exploring the world and its cultures is far easier when you know more than a single language. If your dream is to travel the world, then you should consider learning a foreign language. This way you will be capable of traveling outside of the usual tourist spots and experience the culture of that country.
You Get To Watch Your Favourite Shows Without Subtitles!
How many times have you wished you could watch your favorite Kdrama, Bollywood movie, or French show without needing the subtitles on, but you can't understand a thing that is going on without them?
You might have noticed that, after a while of watching shows in a certain language, you understand bits and pieces, like when they say a certain word. Most people tend to get a boost in confidence when that happens. So why not learn the entire language? Image the confidence boost then!
In addition, learning the language will allow you to better understand the story of the show. That's because most expressions or jokes are often lost in translation, which doesn't allow watchers to get the full experience of the movie.
An Advantage In the Professional World
Employers often look for potential employees who are bilingual rather than monolingual, as shown in this article. Furthermore, the demand for bilingual employees keeps rising every year in all fields, so why not learn a new language to increase your chances of obtaining your dream career?
With these language skills, you will be able to rise above other potential employees and show your future employer that you can serve a wider range of people.
In addition, it will also boost your possible salary. That's because most employers are willing to give higher pay to bilingual employees since these workers will in return give them a higher profit in the future.
But they also get paid more because it's much easier for them to find work opportunities. If you know two or more languages, you will be able to also apply for jobs where bilingualism is a requirement. Furthermore, you will be able to find opportunities abroad. So if you wish to travel and visit different countries, it will be far easier for you to find work abroad if you are bilingual!
The Added Health Benefits
Numerous health benefits come with learning an additional language! For instance, it can fight against depression, which is something many teenagers deal with in their daily lives. It fights depression by pushing you to expose yourself to new cultures, experiences, and people. You can do so without even leaving your own home (by chatting online for example), which might be less stressful for those with anxiety or other mental health issues.
Furthermore, when you learn a new language, your brain physically becomes stronger. That is because the integrity of the white mass increases, and after a while, its strength also increases. This can delay dementia symptoms for more than four years. But it can also help you if you ever suffer from a brain injury, such as a stroke.
Conclusion
There is always that one language that most wished they could understand or speak, but we usually give up on that dream before even trying. Hopefully, this article has shown you the benefits of learning that language, and has given you enough motivation to accomplish it! If you do decide to do so, you will certainly gain a lot, and make more friends throughout your journey.
But learning a foreign language will also raise your health and intelligence, so don't be afraid to give it a try! You can find many resources online, for instance on Youtube, where people will teach you the basics. However, you can also consider taking a virtual or in-person class, so that you can practice the language, face to face, with someone who already knows it!