What are the benefits of learning another language?
Posted by Filed under Observations
As an English and Spanish teacher who also speaks Italian and (a little!) French, one of the questions I get asked most often is “What are the benefits of learning another language?”
It’s a great question and one that deserves to be addressed in depth.
We all know that learning to communicate in a different language improves cultural understanding, and has far-reaching personal, professional, and academic benefits that might be out of reach for monolingual people. But the ability to speak to people from other countries is much more than a practical tool.
Knowing foreign languages opens up a window of opportunity and understanding that can be incredibly rewarding and beneficial, because it allows us to experience the world in a different way and gain invaluable insight into other people’s vital experience.
In this blog, we will explore the various ways in which learning a second (or third, or fourth…!) language can change your life for the better.
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What are the benefits of learning another language for my career?
In today’s global market, being bilingual or multilingual is an invaluable asset. As countries, cultures and markets continue to become increasingly intertwined, companies are starting to look for employees who can communicate effectively in multiple languages, from customer service roles to sales and marketing positions.
Having the ability to understand and communicate with people from different countries opens up a range of opportunities to gain a competitive edge in the job market because, by being able to communicate with people in their own language, you can demonstrate a deeper level of understanding and empathy, not just towards clients, customers or business partners, but also towards your own colleagues.
Join the most diverse companies in the world
At the moment, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Google are just a few of the international companies that have famously diverse workforces. For bilingual people, this means that not only are you employable in most of the world’s markets, but that a whole range of potential jobs in the biggest companies in the world may become available to you.
What are the benefits of learning another language for job seekers?
When you speak a second language, you open yourself up to a range of different job opportunities: From sales and marketing to customer service, translation and interpretation, you can work in almost any field where bilingualism is an advantage.
Just to give you a few other examples, you may find yourself working in international law, diplomacy, finance, education, tourism, media and more!
Irina, a freelance English teacher and translator from Santiago, Chile, says that you don’t even need to work for a big company to take advantage of your bilingualism:
“When I became fluent in English, I was able to work as a freelance translator and turn my knowledge into a steady income. I’m a lot more employable than before, and it’s definitely given me a career boost. Plus, while I wait for the job of my dreams, I get to teach my language to lots of wonderful students for a living and do lots of challenging translation jobs.”
What are the benefits of learning another language for my social life?
When discussing the benefits of learning a new language, it’s easy to fall into utilitarian arguments: it’s good for my career; I can make more money; now I’m employable in different countries.
All of which is true, and fantastic.
However, learning another language also brings with it a range of social benefits which are just as important.
Connecting with people
When you can speak another language, you open yourself up to new ways of thinking and connecting with people. On the one hand, you can understand other cultures on a deeper level, allowing you to appreciate their values and beliefs more easily.
For example, you may be able to connect with your heritage in a way that was previously not possible, get to explore the roots of your family history, or even make some lifelong friends.
On the other hand, having a second language also allows you to interact with different people in their own language, making it easier to create meaningful relationships with people all over the world. This means that you can travel more freely, knowing that you don’t have to rely on other people’s knowledge of your own language to communicate.
Susan, a client from Michigan who completed an in-person Italian course earlier this year says: “Learning Italian has been a great way to get in touch with my heritage. I was born and raised in America, but both of my parents are Italian and my grandparents still live in Italy. It has been such a pleasure to be able to converse with them in their native language. Plus, since doing my Italian course I have overcome my fear of travelling to non-English speaking countries, and I’m planning my third trip to Florence (where my family lives!) this year.”
What are the benefits of learning another language for my brain?
In addition to career opportunities and social benefits, learning a new language has been shown to have a range of cognitive benefits.
Studies have demonstrated that bilingual people tend to perform better on tests of executive control, such as the Stroop test, which tests our ability to filter out irrelevant information and focus on the task at hand.
According to the groundbreaking results, learning a new language can help you stay focused and organized in your daily life, allowing you to avoid stress and be more productive and successful overall.
Prevent brain diseases in old age
But the benefits don’t stop there. As we age, it has also been demonstrated that bilingualism can help to stave off cognitive decline and even protect against dementia. One study from the University of Edinburgh found that speaking two languages can reduce the risk of dementia by up to 50% and delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s by up to five years, compared to those who spoke just one language.
Improve your memory
The researchers found that the people who spoke two languages had significantly better memory, problem-solving, and attention skills than those who only spoke one language and that these skills sensibly helped protect against cognitive decline in old age.
Sonia, a 76-year-old client from Rosario, Argentina, who is currently studying German with one of our teachers, agrees that learning a language has been crucial for her mental health, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic:
“Having something to focus on and challenge my brain has been so important these past few months. Learning German is a great way to keep my mind busy and prevent my brain from getting stagnant. It’s also been great for catching up with friends and family in Germany, who may not speak Spanish or English.”
So, what are the benefits of learning another language?
Overall, the benefits of learning another language are clear. From improved career opportunities to enhanced mental health and a better understanding of cultures, there truly is something for everyone. So why not give it a try and see what you can achieve?
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At Language Trainers, we specialise in helping people to learn a language effectively through a customised approach. With flexible online classes or in-person lessons, our experienced teachers will help you find the right path for your individual needs and goals. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today and start reaping the benefits of language learning!