Learning a language is not an easy task but is essential. In fact, it can be quite terrible to start with as it’s an all-new language you’re trying to adopt. Due to massive global competition, gaining knowledge of a foreign language has an added advantage.
The concept of learning a foreign language has always been beneficial as it just not imparts linguistic skills but also enables learners to explore and learn about varied cultures and lifestyles.
6 BENEFITS OF LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
1. Feel smarter: Being able to speak several languages means you possess the ability to adjust to a culture and its surroundings. It’s like being able to talk in German in Germany. Isn’t it a great skill to acquire? You are obviously, going to talk more confidently with the locals making you feel smarter.
2. Global job opportunities: With increasing globalization, the world is already on the verge of being borderless. Language is one of the major parameters of these existing borders. There are many local organisations that are hellbent on candidates being well-versed in knowing their own local language. Possessing that particular language skill aids the candidate to put forward his best attempt at a job vacancy.
It is recommended to learn any of these languages: French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Bahama, or Japanese, to stand out from the normal crowd.
3. Enhances cultural awareness: Learning a foreign language can also lead to discovering a new country, a new cuisine, new social relationships and much more. You don’t realize it, but being in contact with a new culture enriches you drastically. By having a new relationship with the world, you develop an “intercultural know-how” that few people have and of which you can be proud. Learning language can inspire tolerance, open-mindedness and understanding, which is a key take away.
4. Foosters decision-making skills: Psychological studies have shown that when people think in another language, they generally make more rational decisions. Because we tend to avoid what can harm us, we limit our risk-taking appetite, even when circumstances work in our favour. But researchers at the University of Chicago have found that thinking in another language creates a distance that leads to making decisions that are more thoughtful and less dependent on our personal emotions.
(information source: https://news.uchicago.edu/story/communicating-foreign-language-takes-emotion-out-decision-making )
5. Become a global citizen: Whether it is for a holiday, a stopover or a professional agenda, knowledge of the local language always proves to be advantageous. Travelling is much more fun when there aren’t language barriers. You don’t have to worry about getting around or not being able to converse with the locals, and most importantly smoothens your stay or travel journey.
6. A better understanding of one’s mother tongue: We all will surely agree when we say, our mother tongue is always dominant in speech. This is exactly where accents come from. But opening your horizon to a second language puts things into a balanced mode. An additional language acquired is undoubtedly a way of building one’s own knowledge of society and lifestyle.
Key Takeaway:
With a highly globalising world, proficiency in an additional language compared to your own mother tongue is no more a need but a necessity. Enabling you to travel with ease and communicate with other cultured people and also allows you to explore media files of the world like music and movies.
Lastly, being proficient in a foreign language requires time, patience, commitment, and most importantly – the 3P’s (practice, practice, practice). Foreign Language skills grant students the opportunity to excel in vital phases of life and it opens global doors for varied work opportunities.
Be rest assured, A foreign language learnt will never go waste.
At Harshad Valia International School, we always encourage our students to learn newer skills and languages to enhance personality and get ready for the global world awaiting them with open arms.
