In this age and day, there are over 6500 different languages spoken around the world. It might come out as shocking, but what’s even weightier is that very few people can speak more than two or three languages… sounds familiar? Yes – we’re not in a linguistics class, but Language is what allows us as humans to connect, interact, communicate, and work together towards achieving a common goal. While this is so, we live in a world that’s getting more and more interconnected. In your day to day activities, you’ll likely meet and associate with people from different cultures, races, tribes, and traditional backgrounds. The harsh truth is that not all of them may understand your first language and vice versa.
For this and many other reasons, learning a second, third or fourth language comes with numerous advantages to you and even those around you. It can give you an edge at the socially, emotionally, and even at the workplace. To delve deeper into this, here are 5 advantages of learning a new language.
1. Career Advancement
This is perhaps one of the biggest benefits of learning a new language. We live in an economy where being able to communicate in various languages gives you a competitive advantage in the employment market. In many industries and economic sectors, there has been a steady increase in the demand for bilingual and multilingual professionals compared to those who speak just one language.
In addition to making you more marketable in the job market, learning a new language also expands your career scope in that you can also teach that language to others if you manage to master it. In Asia, for instance, there’s a growing demand for English teachers, and the opportunities for teaching English overseas are endless. You just need to master the language and acquire some certifications to support your proficiency. And considering that we live in a digital age, you may not even need to travel around the world to teach language abroad. You can also offer your lessons over the internet. If you’re employed, learning a new language can also be your ticket to bonuses and salary raises. In a nutshell, it’s always an added advantage in your career.
2. Enhance Your Travel Experience
If you’re a frequent traveler, then you probably know how frustrating it can be for you when you don’t understand the local language. As a matter of fact, you have a broader spectrum of travel destinations if you know several languages. And you don’t even have to be proficient at it. Sometimes learning a few of the most common yet important words and phrases such as “how are you”, “please”, and “thank you” in the local language is all you need to revolutionize your trip abroad. Additionally, it gives you an advantage in case you have to study or work abroad.
3. Confidence Boost
Another great benefit of learning a new language is that it boosts your confidence levels. With a second or third language, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, not forgetting that it’s a skill you can add to your resume. It gets even better when you can finally have a fluent conversation with a native of that language. It is just satisfying and it gives a bump to your self-esteem.
4. It Makes You Sharper
Research has also shown that learning a new language is good for your brain. It can boost your attention span, enhance your memory, and even enhance your decision-making skills. This is because being able to master how different words are pronounced and what they mean in the new language challenges, engages, and exercises your brain in various dimensions. This is especially the case since almost all languages have a structure behind them, and understanding that structure is always key in mastering any language. If you’re looking for a multi-beneficial way to boost your cognitive capabilities, learning a new language should be at the top of your list.
5. Meet New People
Another huge advantage of learning a new language is that it opens up doors for you to meet new people and create lasting connections. This could be in language classes you attend, countries you travel abroad, or even online language forums. You never know… you could even meet someone in a park or at an event who could turn out to be the love of your life or an important business partner, all because you were able to strike a conversation in their native language!
Nothing is more interesting than finally being able to strike a fluent conversation in a language other than your first or second. It’s good for your brain, social life, overall wellness, and even safety abroad. The above are just a few of the many reasons you should learn a new language whenever you get the chance to.
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