The Benefits of Knowing a Second Language.

Knowing a second language has clear and tangible benefits. Really! Apart from the obvious reasons, such as communicating in a foreign land in in its language and speaking to a business contact, there are other less well known but important gains. An examination of these other benefits requires examination.   

     Firstly, our cognitive abilities are improved We have to think in the language we are learning and relating it to our native language. We are constantly translating to and fro between our native language and the language we are learning. This increases our analytical abilities as we code switch from one language to another, we connect the meaning in one language and connect it to the other and produce the other language whether in speech or writing. When we listen to other language the act of translating is an analytical process of finding meaning, connecting to an existing lexicon. There is improvement in memory, makes us better at multitasking, and sharpens our listening skills. There will be the ability to monitor the environment and switch between competing tasks. This also leads to greater creativity and flexibility.   

     

   Secondly, we gain a valuable soft skill. We can communicate in other language and gain or enhance our communicative abilities. Furthermore, this soft skill will make us able to understand and appreciate another culture. Bilingualism leads to career advancement. Many employers in Europe and Asia are calling for employees who are bilingual or multilingual. This leads to better salaries and career advancement. 

 Thirdly, learning another language delays the onset of dementia. According to researchers at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, India, the code-switching between languages forestalls the onset of dementia.

      Lastly, we are able to connect with people of other countries and learn about each other and our cultures. This greatly enriches our lives. Lifelong friendships will be created in this way. Hence bilingualism makes able to connect and learn about other societies and its people.

        Nonetheless, it is up to people to learn another language. The reasons for taking up a foreign language rests on the native language. Surprisingly, Britons do not like to learn another language. This might be due to their insular island mentality. It has been observed that in the USA, only 20% of students learn a foreign language. In contrast, in Europe about 92% of students learn a foreign language. 

        To conclude, we improve our cognitive capabilities by learning a language. We also gain a useful soft skill in being able to communicate in another language. We are also able to stall the onset of dementia. People from outside Britain and the USA more willing to learn a foreign language as opposed to Britons and Americans.