Learning a foreign language is important for several reasons. Learning a foreign language can significantly alter the way you see the world as well as yourself. Every individual indeed learns languages throughout their lifetime but those who choose to embrace learning a new language will find themselves reaping numerous benefits from it.
In today’s ever-changing world, you should be aware that knowing more than one language can put you in a very advantageous position. Here are reasons why learning a foreign language is important.
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15 Benefits Of Learning A Foreign Language
Learning a foreign language is one of the valuable skills that you can acquire in your lifetime. Languages are the very foundation of communication. If you want to communicate with people across the globe, learning more than one language has become necessary for survival today.
You may find it very helpful if your profession requires you to work internationally or if you want to pursue a career in international business. Here are 15 benefits of learning a foreign language for human life.
1. Learning Foreign Language Keeps The Mind Sharper For Longer
The brain is an amazing and mysterious part of the human body. We all know that learning a foreign language can keep your mind sharper for longer, but did you know that it can reduce the effects of dementia by up to seven years?
A new study published in the journal Neurology has shown that speaking two or more languages can delay memory decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Experts say that speaking more than one language may increase the overall size of the brain.
It is also believed that learning a second or third language can delay memory loss related to Alzheimer’s disease by seven years, compared with those who only know one tongue. The study showed that bilinguals performed better on cognitive ability tests than monolinguals.
2. Learning Foreign Language Increases Job Opportunities
If you want to pursue a career in international business, knowing more than one language is essential. Most countries and several corporations indeed prefer recruiting employees who can speak more than one language.
If you cannot speak two or more languages, your job opportunities will be limited to your own country. Learning foreign languages will not only open up international job opportunities for you but also increase your chances of landing a higher-paying job.
3. Learning Foreign Language Enhances Your Reading Skills
The brain is wired in such a way that when learning a foreign language, it makes the brain stronger and increases reading speed. For this reason, people who know more than one language not only attain increased reading speed but also excel in their field of work.
4. Learning Foreign Language Can Enhance Your Leadership Skills
We all know that learning a foreign language can significantly enhance your leadership skills. In business, if you want to lead employees from different parts of the globe, knowing more than one language will help you communicate effectively with them while performing your tasks on time.
Reference Video – Why Learn A Foreign Language?
5. Learning Foreign Language Can Make You More Creative
If your job involves creative thinking, learning a new language can make you more creative. It is not easy to learn a foreign language unless you are born into that culture. The difficulties in speaking or writing in another language will force your brain to think creatively while solving problems overnight.
6. Learning Foreign Language Enhances Your Job Performance
According to a new study, those who speak more than one language are better at decision making as compared to monolinguals. Even though it is believed that the complex structure of the brain’s white matter is responsible for increasing decision-making skills, researchers have found that speaking a second language boosts creativity and in turn, increases your job performance.
7. Learning Foreign Language Can Improve Your Memory
Studies show that when learning a foreign language, the brain becomes stronger and has better memory retention. This is why students who learn more than one language in school tend to score higher in standardized tests compared with their monolingual counterparts.
8. Learning Foreign Language Can Enhance Your Willpower
Learning a foreign language can enhance your willpower. It is believed that the mental effort required to speak or write in another language makes you exert more self-control when dealing with others verbally and even mentally.
9. Learning Foreign Language Enhances Your Communication Skills
When you speak more than one language, it automatically improves your communication skills. Not only do you get better at expressing yourself in writing and speaking, but also learn to communicate with people from different parts of the world without any difficulty.
10. Learning Foreign Language Is Fun And Keeps You Mentally Active
When learning a new language, you not only get to know the meaning of words and phrases but also their etymologies. This means that you learn about the origin of certain words and can connect it with other languages, which will keep your brain stimulated and resultantly enhance your overall mental health.
11. Learning Foreign Language Encourages You To Travel Abroad
When you speak more than one language, traveling abroad becomes easier and more fun. For example, if you speak French and visit France, you can easily ask for directions or carry out other activities that will make traveling easier and enjoyable.
12. Learning Foreign Language Can Help You To Understand Other Cultures
By learning more than one language, you get to understand cultures better. This not only helps in enhancing your communication skills but also allows you to appreciate other people’s points of view helping build a good interpersonal relationship with others.
13. Learning Foreign Language Will Expand Your Networking Skills
Having the ability to speak more than one language will significantly improve your networking skills compared to monolinguals. Not only can you communicate with people from other countries but also have access to new job opportunities in different parts of the globe.
14. Learning Foreign Language Can Enhance Your Overall Lifestyle
Learning more than one language will lead to an overall improvement in your lifestyle. For example, being multilingual can lead to new job opportunities, which when optimized well can result in a better pay scale and help you attain financial stability compared with monolinguals.
15. Learning Foreign Language Can Help You In Your Personal Life
The aforementioned benefits should be incentive enough for you to learn a foreign language. However, there are other personal benefits of learning a new language such as meeting new people from different parts of the world and gaining access to their cultures.
Overall, it can also help you in your social life. Studies have shown that those who speak more than one language tend to be happier and healthier compared with their monolingual counterparts.
Importance Of Learning Foreign Language – Conclusion
Learning a foreign language can significantly improve your quality of life and maximize your potentials. It might be difficult to choose the right language for you to learn, but if you consider all the aforementioned benefits, it should give you enough motivation to get started today.