As the semester wraps up, Stags who have been abroad are preparing to return home, and Stags who are going abroad in the fall are gearing up to go away. For many, they will be traveling to and from destinations where English is not the native language, meaning they will be immersed not only in a completely different culture but also a completely different language. While this may seem daunting, many find they come home knowing at least a little more of their second language than they did before. After all, it’s hard not to learn a language when you’re surrounded by it.
Even for those students who are not going abroad, learning a language is an incredible opportunity that shouldn’t be passed up. It’s not impossible to learn a language without being immersed in it; while the time and effort language learning requires often turns prospective polyglots away, the benefits of speaking another language are well worth it.
Language provides access to culture. Within the United States, there are countless communities who speak languages other than English. Language is a key part of one’s identity and culture. By speaking another language, you are better able to understand the little nuances that differentiate cultures; furthermore, being able to speak more than one language allows you to communicate with people you may not have otherwise connected with. There’s nothing like the look of recognition that someone gives you when you speak their native language. When you speak to someone in their first language, you not only make them more comfortable, but you show them that you care enough to try.
Language learning is great exercise for the brain. Just like the rest of the body, the brain needs exercise, too. Learning a language requires pattern recognition, memorization, and concentration. According to Carley Spence’s article “How learning a new language changes your brain” from cambridge.org, language learning leads to advantages such as better academic performance, stronger communication skills and greater creativity, to name a few. There are even some studies that claim language learning can help delay the onset of dementia. Unsurprisingly, language learning strengthens the brain.
It looks great on a resume. As college students, we all have our minds on the future. We’re always looking to build our resume to secure the job we want. The ability to speak another language sets you apart from other candidates, showing employers that you not only have the skills to communicate with a wider array of people, but also that you have the dedication and work ethic to take on a challenge. Speaking another language is useful for nearly every career in the world; for example, nurses can care for more patients, teachers can communicate with more students and businesspeople can work with more clients. In any context, being able to communicate with a wider variety of people and interpret for those who can’t is an invaluable skill.
It opens up opportunities for travel. Why go to France if you can’t order a pain au chocolat? Why go to Spain without knowing how to ask for directions to el mercado? Traveling to new destinations is so much easier when you know at least a few crucial phrases, and it’s even more fulfilling when you can understand and even participate in the conversations around you.
It builds confidence. Making progress in a language is so rewarding. The feeling of finally being able to understand a conversation, movie or song in your target language for the first time is unmatched. No matter how quickly or slowly you progress, it’s reassuring to know that every single word, phrase or expression you learn brings you one step closer to fluency. Tackling a challenge like this proves that you can do things you never thought possible. Additionally, learning a language forces you to step outside your comfort zone; speaking to another person in a second language requires improvisation and courage. You will inevitably make mistakes, forget words or say something completely different from what you meant; all of those moments will help you learn and make you more confident for next time.
These are just a few, but there are innumerable reasons to pick up a new language. Now that classes are finishing up and summer is on the horizon, you may use the free time to take up language learning as your newest hobby.