Imagine this, a friend invites you to their home to eat dinner. You are eager to get to know their family and taste the delicious home-cooked food. However, when you arrive you discover that the entire family is speaking Spanish which is a language you’re not familiar with at all. You eat the entire dinner, smiling and nodding in awe of what is being spoken. You must be pretty awkward, don’t you think?
This situation demonstrates how learning languages has become crucial in today’s globalized world. Recent advancements in technology, travel and business across the globe our world is more connected than ever. People from various cultures are always interacting and sharing their experiences, which is incredible. If you do not have the language skills the interactions can get a bit difficult quickly.
That’s why experts at almost all top international school thailand recommend students start learning new languages as early as possible. Certain studies have shown that children who have a second language may be more adept at picking more languages later as well. Even the simplest knowledge can be a big help in closing the gap between cultures. Let’s look at all the ways that a multilingual brain could help you in schools, life, and in the future market for jobs.
The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain
Think of your brain like a muscle – the more you challenge it, the stronger it gets. Learning a new language pushes your brain in new ways as you memorize rules, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Studies show bilingual and multilingual people often have better focus, problem-solving, multi-tasking, and even remembering skills. They also show early signs of dementia and age-related cognitive decline less frequently. It’s like a mental workout.
People who speak multiple languages are good at switching between different language systems quickly. This “code-switching” ability reflects greater mental flexibility and control.
In school, these cognitive perks can translate into advantages in reading, standardized test scores, and overall academic performance. One study even showed bilingual kindergarteners had higher scores in math, reading, and general knowledge.
Opening Up Opportunities
Beyond mental muscle, languages let you connect with more people and opportunities. You’ll be able to make friends, understand media, and relate better to classmates from diverse backgrounds.
As bilingual comedian Anjelah Johnson says, “When you learn someone else’s language, you get new friends.”
Language skills also open doors for travel adventures, studying abroad, and internships in faraway places. You could spend a summer as an au pair in Spain, volunteer to teach English in Thailand, or study marine biology in Australia. Knowing the local language makes all of these experiences more accessible and immersive.
Giving College Apps a Boost
For high schoolers thinking about college, being multilingual can really help your applications stand out. Elite schools like Harvard and Yale consider language skills a valuable asset for accepted students.
Even basic proficiency in a foreign language shows you seek out cultural experiences and academic enrichment. Fluent abilities can give your application an even greater edge, especially for programs related to international studies.
Getting a Leg Up in the Job Market
In our ever-globalizing economy, multilingual skills give graduates a major advantage in the job hunt after college. Employers need staff who can interact with international clients, partners, or customers.
Someone who speaks Mandarin Chinese will have far more options than monolingual applicants, especially for jobs in engineering, tech, medicine, law, education, customer service, sales, marketing, and more.
One study showed bilingual workers earn 5-20% higher salaries on average too. Even recreational language learning shows motivation and intellectual curiosity.
In a competitive job market, languages help your resume stand out and open doors to amazing opportunities. Recruiters know multilingual employees bring unique value.
Bringing Students Together
Learning a classmate’s native language helps kids bridge cultural divides. It also builds intercultural relationships. Imagine greeting a Korean student who is new to your school with an annyeonghaseyo. They would be elated.
Even small gestures like exchanging greetings, celebrating holidays and understanding cultural traditions can help students of all backgrounds feel welcome.
Language clubs and other activities can help students share their diverse cultural and linguistic experiences. Students at my school worked on special projects such as making Lunar New Year Dumplings and giving Spanish museum tours. What would you make? When you learn to speak each other’s language, the world seems smaller and more friendly.
Overcoming Challenges
Of course, learning a whole new language is no cakewalk. It takes time and dedication through years of practice. Expect bumps in the road like forgetting words, messing up grammar, and just wanting to quit.
Here are some tips to help you stick with it:
- Immerse yourself in the language as much as you can – listen to music, watch shows, read books, take classes. The more exposure, the better.
- Find a study buddy. You can quiz each other, play games, and stay motivated together.
- Use fun apps like Duolingo to practice in short bursts whenever you have downtime.
- Think of progress as getting 1% better each day, not instant perfection. Slow steady practice makes progress add up.
- Most of all, keep your eye on the prize of how awesome fluency will be someday.
Make Multilingualism Your Superpower
Learning languages is fundamentally about connecting. Nelson Mandela said, “If you speak to a person in a language that he can understand, it will go to his head.” Talking to him in the language he understands will reach his heart.
Multilingualism is a powerful tool in today’s globalized world. It allows us to understand different perspectives and collaborate across borders.
Early language learning can provide students with the cognitive advantages, academic benefits, career opportunities, intercultural connections, and other benefits that come from being multilingual. What a superpower.
Conclusion
Next time you encounter someone who speaks another language, do not be frustrated. Be curious. Consider it an opportunity to discover something new. You’ll soon be chatting with your new buddy if you both put in some effort.
