Learning a foreign language is an important comment and an asset wherever you go. In a world where borders are being blurred, learning is happening virtually. In such a dynamic and interconnected world learning languages is always a +1 to anyone’s career or educational choices.
And, especially if you start young, you can become a pro at it. Some of the most common languages are Mandarin, French, Spanish, Japanese etc.
Now, let’s explore and know the amazing benefits of learning a foreign language for students:
The advantages of learning a new language:
1. Connection and Community
Learning a foreign language opens a world of opportunities for students. People who are multilingual find it easy to make friends, make connections and be humbled by the kindness of strangers in places where it feels foreign and helps in creating new communities.
You are not just an outsider, but get to be a part of communities and feel belonged and appreciated for your efforts at learning what is native to them. This shows that you really want to be a part of their happiness, joys, and sadness through shared communities and this is the benefit of learning a foreign language.
2. Helpful in advancing your career and educational opportunities
Every student who knows multiple languages is preferred over those who know only one. If you are for example applying to South Korea, knowing the Korean language makes your chances of getting in even higher. Even recruiters and employers prefer individuals who can interact with clients from various backgrounds.
This helps the work get done faster and if you are lucky you can get favors and crack deals due to knowing their mother tongue. Consumer satisfaction is at its peak and the center of every corporate right now and knowing the language never hurts. In fact, you can learn foreign languages on various websites too for free like Coursera, Udemy, etc.
3. Ways to Learn New Words Helps Your Brain Stay Afresh
Our brain is constantly working. The more we use a part, the higher are its chances to excel. Learning new foreign languages, unlike monolinguals, helps in better cognitive functioning, helps with memory, creativity, problem-solving skills, and increases the ability to multitask.
It also helps in understanding the changing environment as one deals with competing and difficult tasks. It’s easier to juggle between various works and tasks and in the long term, it also helps with diseases like Alzheimer’s.
4. The Best Way to Learn a New Language is Through its Culture
Practice makes excellent, and is also true for learning languages. But, if you also understand the alphabet, pronunciation, usage and understand the culture of the place where the language is commonly spoken or is the mother tongue.
Understanding cultural aspects helps in understanding the kind, the mood, the cultural superstitions, beliefs, and stories. It is a good idea to consider learning a language through its culture.
5. Traveling isn’t Equal to Tourism But a Way to Learn Foreign Languages
If you are a student who tends to travel or has plans to study or work abroad, it is a good idea to learn a basic language that is native. This helps you in connecting and actually seeing the place for what it is. This also enables you to interact and share moments with the locals.
To learn a foreign language, learn slowly but with understanding. You can start learning basic greetings, introductions, how to navigate, foods, etc. This will help you to not just be a tourist but explore the place wholeheartedly.
6. Learning a Foreign Language Helps you become a Better Decision Maker
Often when we speak and think in our native language we associate with what we already know. But, when we think in a foreign language the emotional closeness and bias is removed. This helps in making better decisions that are rational, not hurried, and thought out. Learning a foreign language helps you navigate the world in a more rational way.
7. Learning a Foreign Language Helps You Gain Diverse Perspectives
When you learn a new foreign language, it helps you draw parallels in your own traditions and values and opens up the possibilities of new adventures and learnings. It helps you not only compare the positives and negatives of your culture but also gain a diverse perspective.
Learning a new foreign language is like having all the windows you can hop out of and gain new experiences and learnings. This will help you become more open to dynamic changes, disruptions, and uncertainties of life.
8. Booting Confidence is a Vital Benefit for Learning a Foreign Language
We often lack confidence when we are new to a place, people, or experiences. But, learning a new foreign language, especially for students, helps in boosting morale and confidence. This is because you will be able to grasp cultural nuances, concepts that others may not.
It will also help you realize that if you put in the effort you can be the best version of yourself. Confident individuals automatically become better decision makers, are received positively during interviews and most of all the inner power of I can achieve anything is boosted. This is very important for mental and emotional growth.
9. Learning a Foreign Language Enhances Creativity in Students
When you are able to learn a foreign language, it helps not only in boosting confidence but also creativity. Thinking outside the box of your immediate surroundings you start thinking from various angles and understandings of various concepts.
Creativity is very important in times like these where employers and institutions are looking for divergent thinkers. Divergent thinking comes when you are exposed to a multitude of challenges, cultures, and languages. Your mother tongue is not the only way you can think, but include interdisciplinary creative ideas into your creation or whatever you are a part of.
10. Enhanced Mental Ability is a Big Pro of Learning a New Foreign Language for Students
Languages are made of structure, rules, and multiple complexities. When you learn a new language it will help you absorb information better and grasp concepts easily. This in turn will help you improve your cognition abilities. It is no secret that learning a language can be tricky, but a good way to learn a language is also to go back to using mnemonics.
When you create short forms of everything, your brain can retain it or associate it with something that it can remember. In no time you will become a champ at excelling in unknown territories and increase your problem-solving skills. Learning new languages has effects on the mind that are temporal and spatial.
A renowned study, according to a study from Spain’s University of Pompeu Fabra, multilingual people are proven to be better observers of their surroundings and can easily spot things that are extrinsic or deceitful. This means that you will be more careful, for example, about misleading information.
11. Learning a New Foreign Language Helps in Improving Performance in Academics and Curiosity
Due to higher cognitive skills, learning a new language can help, according to studies, that children score better in math those who are equipped with an additional foreign language compared to the ones that are monolingual.
It also helps in inculcating curiosity amongst students as they would wonder what could a concept be in other languages or regions. Curiosity is an important component in driving thinking skills and breaking barriers and glass ceilings.
Conclusion
At the end of the day it is a fact that learning new languages is only a positive attribute and skill set in your career as well as academics and personal life. It helps you break barriers and connect with your audience and interact with the cultural shifts, swiftly and quickly. As a student you must learn foreign languages, it will replenish your mind, body and soul.
At GIIS school Noida, we believe that there are immense advantages to learning a new language as we have mentioned in the blog. It helps to understand why learning a foreign language is important, and clearly understand the many benefits you can experience by learning new languages.
Deepika Sodhi
A highly motivated and dedicated educator with nearly 24 years of teaching experience, Ms. Deepika Sodhi is the Academic Supervisor for International Curricula at Global Indian International School (GIIS) SMART Campus, Singapore.
Ms. Sodhi has a rich experience of teaching Physics across curricula such as the IB, Cambridge IGCSE and CBSE. She has served as an Exam Officer for Cambridge Assessment International Education. Currently, she is an IB Assessment Officer, and a member of International Schools Network and International Baccalaureate Educator Network.
In her free time, Ms. Sodhi enjoys writing blogs, creating guiding material for training staff and community service.
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