Benefits of Learning a Second Language

Today’s world is connected to each other. We all know what’s happening in other countries or on another continent.

So every other language is a second language!

The world is a place full of diversity and the diversity starts at cultural languages that exist.

There are roughly 7100 to 7200 languages being spoken in the world and the numbers are constantly changing all though this number doesn’t include dialects, imagine the numbers then.

In India it is known as the museums of languages because of its diversity and regional distinctions.

We are a home to over 700 languages that are divided into so many categories and so many dialogues , though there are only 22 official languages recognized by the Indian government in its constitution.

And now with keeping this in mind it is more important than ever to understand the need for a second language. 

Learning a second language helps a person develop, professionally personally and even from an academic perspective. The advantages of new languages extend beyond just being able to communicate with others.

Importance of Learning a Second Language

We all know that language plays an important role in communicating with others and when we learn different languages we open doors to new cultures, new perspectives and overall new experience that helps us grow not only academically but also survive in this competitive global market where opportunities are overflowing. 

The introduction of second languages improves cognitive abilities, academic performance and also gives job benefits, it makes you culturally aware, improves your communication.

There are multiple benefits that can be listed other than these.

1. Cognitive Development

Learning a second language stimulates the brain and it helps in improving memory power. It strengthens the mind and contributes to the overall child’s problem solving and analytical skills.

Along with this it even gives students a multitasking ability providing them the foundation of lifelong learning and contributing to their overall cognitive development.

2. Academic Fulfillment

It is believed that students who try learning a second language often push their boundaries and perform better academically. 

Studies have also shown that bilingual students tend to have better focus and better improved reading skills. These students are blessed with the power of lifelong learning giving them greater academic achievements in all subjects thus, fulfilling their academic achievements and goals.

3. Cultural Awareness and Global Perspective

What is it to be culturally aware? 

Is it just to know about culture? 

Of course not, it also has to do with understanding a different perspective and understanding a diverse world view accompanied by language which helps you know everything better.

An individual who is learning, will appreciate different cultures and different perspectives. This helps them in forming new connections across boundaries and creates a more harmonious society for the future. 

This enhances their skill and fosters empathy in them making them more connected to the society.

4. Improved Communication and Social Skills

Learning a second language ultimately improves communication skills. 

Not just in the learned language but in one’s primary (mother – tongue)  language as well it gives you the confidence to present yourself in front of people.  

Along with the speaking skill it also enhances once listening skills making individuals more aware of their surroundings, and with time the loan to understand how other languages work syncing them together in their minds. 

This language helps them in professional networking and gives them better opportunities for social interaction keeping them socially aware and active.

5. Career Advantages

People with more skills get more job opportunities — and language is a skill that is to be learnt and mastered with time.

In an environment with globalization taking part is an active catalyst in the job market. Being bilingual gives individuals the power to seek opportunities and communicate with international clients and colleagues freely.

Bilingualism can open career opportunities in seven fields like international relations, tourism, business, translations, news reporting and what not.

10 Benefits of Learning a Second Language

1. Helps in Cognitive Development of Students

Learning a second language helps  sharpen brain activities and helps students think critically. 

It also equips students with problem solving skills and power to retain knowledge more effectively as they interact. 

Studies believe that learning a second language helps students enhance their memory and mental flexibility contributing to their overall cognitive development and improving their academics.

2. Contributes to Academic Fulfillment

Students who speak more than one language are believed to be more academically strong and score better results in exams especially for those areas where logical thinking is crucial.

It also contributes to the problem solving skills and such exposures help students in understanding complex academy subjects and analyse situations better.

This helps them achieve that academic fulfillment for their goals and score better results in exams.

3. Helps in Making a Student Culturally Aware and Understanding Global Perspective

A second language helps students understand diverse cultures, introducing them to different perspectives, traditions, language dialects and circumstances.

This promotes understanding and tolerance in them, making them more sensible and sensitive towards society. 

Exposure to a second language broadens their view and understanding, encouraging them to think beyond their environment and look for better opportunities and compare different perspectives to attain best of results.

4. Helps with Communication and Social Skills

Learning a second language also contributes to the communication skill of a student as it elaborates and expands the vocabulary of a person enhancing their speaking and listening skills. 

Being bilingual makes people more adjustable and it is easier for them to adapt to different communication styles and interact with different sets of audiences making them more socially active.

5. Provides Career Advantages

Different languages are highly appreciated in the job market as being bilingual as a value to the job position in industries such as hospitality finance and international relations business and even health care to a certain extent. 

And this skill contributes to a person’s job security giving them a competitive edge in the job market as it promotes opportunities that are more advanced and globally in Trend.

We are all well aware of multiple reasons why skill based learning is so important for students’ holistic development.

6. Aids in Personal Development

Learning a second language also contributes to the personal development of a person as it boosts confidence and self esteem in them. 

Sub situations where a person is more confident they often step outside of their comfort zone and face challenges more effectively and efficiently. The skills teach students resilience and perseverance which is the lifelong learning skill.

Here are 7 other ways to promote lifelong learning. 

7. Contributes to Lifelong Brain Health

Learning languages is considered to be a brain activity, and bilingualism has been linked to delayed onset of dementia and Alzheimer as a disease. 

This helps the brain healthy and active as individuals then tend to learn more with time providing cognitive benefits in the older age.

8. Enhances Travel Experiences

Travelling is only fun when somebody makes the journey more enjoyable whether it be your own personality or it be the surroundings.

And people who know a second language tend to interact more when travelling making it a more immersive experience for themselves. 

This enables interactions with locals helping them in shopping experiences and even helps them navigate themselves through unfamiliar situations and environment overall contributing to a rich and wonderful travel experience.

9. Promotes Collaboration in the School Community

Students who speak different languages are better at collaborating and working in the community as they bring in diverse perspectives to a situation which contributes to teamwork and collaboration in a classroom environment. 

Then working in such an environment the skills are transferable as students try to copy those who excel in the classroom and are more academically strong. Later in life these skills also help in a work environment where teamwork is crucial.

10. Expands Learning Opportunities

The second language often opens up new opportunities for students to learn from giving them access to a wealth of knowledge across the globe.

This knowledge can be from any part of the institution whether it be scientific demographic geographic political cultural or historical. 

It allowed students to approach opportunities to study abroad and consider non English media to explore new fields of research and learning.

Conclusion

Isn’t it fascinating how just learning a second language can contribute in so many ways into our lives? 

It can even be overwhelming sometimes, but it offers far reaching benefits that extend across all dimensions of life. 

From cognitive development,  academic and even into career development there’s no part of life where learning a second language cannot contribute to.

Second language even fulfills the personal development making you well suited for a globalised society that is constantly growing and expanding for success. It is not just a skill — Rather it is a tool that helps you succeed and seek personal growth.

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