what are the benefits of learning a new language

9 Great Benefits Of Learning A New Language

• Improves Your Memory. ...
• Boosts Your Brain Power. ...
• Helps You Build A Gateway Into A New Culture. ...
• Improves Your Multitasking Abilities. ...
• Boosts Your Creativity. ...
• Strengthens Your Decision-Making Skills. ...
• Increased Resistance To Alzheimer’s And Dementia. ...
• Enhances Your First Language Skills. ...
• Provides You More Career Options To Choose From. ...

Full Answer

What works best when learning a new language?

Learning to speak a foreign language can be perilous. Brenda is a friend who served with the Peace Corps in Nicaragua. She was still learning Spanish and embarked on an adventure. Upon entering a small village, Brenda saw three men standing by a doorway. The word for man in Spanish is hombre and the word for hunger is hambre.

How to quickly and efficiently learn a new language?

• Possibly the easiest thing you can do is watch television shows or movies in the language you are trying to learn. ...
• You should also attempt to read and write in your new language. ...
• Download podcasts or tune in to radio stations in your new language. ...

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What to consider before learning a new language?

Top 10 Tips For Learning a New Language

1. Have a Conquering Attitude. The first of my tips for learning a new language is to keep in mind that when you embark on an exciting adventure, you need ...
2. Get up Early in The Morning. Although this might seem an odd thing to write as one of my tips for learning a new language, in my opinion, this ...
3. Learn Daily. ...
4. Eliminate Distractions. ...

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What are the pros of learning a new language?

see what plan works best to learn their chosen language, then get started learning in this new-old way. Futurism fans: To create this content, a non-editorial team worked with an affiliate partner.

What are 10 benefits of learning a foreign language?

Top 10 Benefits of Learning a Foreign LanguageBoosts brain power. ... Improves memory. ... Enhances the ability to multi-task. ... Sharpens the mind. ... Keeps the mind sharper for longer. ... Enhances decision-making. ... The first language is improved. ... Improves performance in other academic areas.More items...•

What are the 4 reasons to learn a new language?

TED TALK: Four Reasons to Learn a New LanguageIf you want to imbibe a culture, you have to control the language the culture is conducted in. ... Bilingualism is healthy. ... Being bilingual makes you a better multitasker.Learning languages full of different sounds, and different word order is fun.

What are 5 reasons to learn a new language?

5 Reasons to Learn a new Language in 2019Cognitive boost. Choosing to learn a new language may help to improve brain function and intelligence. ... New friends, new perspectives. ... Enhanced employment prospects. ... Creative thinking. ... Inspire the next generation.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning a new language?

The pros and cons of learning a new languagePro: Making connections.Con: Losing your cultural identity.Pro: Earning money.Con: Not quite being yourself.Pro: Boosting your creativity.Con: Taking up your time.Pro: Supercharging your brain.

What happens if you learn a new language?

More generally, learning a new language improves brain function, providing better memory, more mental flexibility and creativity, and can even delay the onset of dementia.

What are the benefits of being bilingual?

10 Benefits of Being BilingualIncrease brain power. ... It can give children an academic advantage. ... Increase awareness of other cultures. ... Make travel easier and more enjoyable. ... Improve competitiveness in the job market. ... Find it easier to learn a third language. ... You can better raise your kids bilingual.More items...•

Why should teenagers learn new language?

Exposing children to a foreign or second language at an early age helps them develop an “ear” for the language and achieve better pronunciation and fluency later in life. This is due to the fact that, when learning a foreign language, children must distinguish meaning from very discrete sounds.

Is it better to learn one language at a time?

You should learn two languages at once, especially if you have the time and the motivation to. Learning another language at the same time is not likely to hurt your abilities in either language.

What are the benefits of learning a foreign language at an early age?

Research shows that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, critical-thinking, and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask. Children proficient in other languages also show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility.

How important is knowing a foreign language?

Foreign language study enhances listening skills and memory. One participates more effectively and responsibly in a multi-cultural world if one knows another language. Your marketable skills in the global economy are improved if you master another language.

Why is learning a new language important?

It Boosts Your Self-Esteem. Learning a new language undoubtedly helps your gray matter grow. Acquiring a new language means that you’re going to learn a whole new set of rules of grammar and lexis (whether you find this part amusing or not).

How does learning a language help the brain?

The more you challenge it, the more the brain expands, and the better it functions. You can think of learning a language as an exercise for the brain. Having first to understand and then later recall multiple grammar rules and vocabulary, strengthens the memory muscle.

How does bilingualism affect cognitive decline?

The latest study on the effect of bilingualism in cognitive aging found that people who spoke more than one language regardless of their gender, ethnicity, and occupation experience the onset of cognitive decline four years and a half later than the ones who spoke only one. 8. It Improves Your Memory.

How does learning a foreign language help you?

4. It Boosts Your Creativity. Knowing a foreign language isn’t beneficial only to the brain; it also influences your level of creativity. As a person starts to learn a language, they get familiar with the culture of the place where that language is spoken.

Why are people who speak more than one language in demand?

Also, nowadays, people who are proficient in more than one language are high in demand in the job market in all sectors and industries, as the employers consider them to be better communicators and problem solvers. Skills that one master by acquiring a second language.

Why do you need to have a foreign language on your CV?

In the highly competitive job market, employers are looking to hire someone that stands out from the rest of the candidates. Knowing a foreign language could help you be chosen among many other job applicants . Having a foreign language listed in your CV might be what a potential employer is looking for.

What does it mean to know a second language?

Knowing a second language means a whole new literature is in your hands. However, these aren’t the only benefits of learning a new language. There are many more. Here’s our list of nine of them. 1.

Why is learning a language important?

Bilinguals have the unique opportunity to communicate with a wider range of people in their personal and professional lives. Knowing the language makes you a local no matter where you are, opening up your world literally and figuratively. You will be shaped by communities. You will be humbled by the kindness of strangers. You will build lifelong friendships. And for these reasons alone, you will see the reward of learning languages for many years to come.

What does it mean to learn a language?

Learning a language means putting yourself out there and moving out of your comfort zone. The upside is the amazing sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when conversing with someone in their native language. 9. Strengthen Your Decision Making.

What are the advantages of being bilingual?

Language skills can be a significant competitive advantage that sets you apart from your monolingual peers. They are among the top eight skills required of all occupations—no matter your sector or skill level—and the demand for bilingual professionals is rising exponentially. In fact, between 2010 and 2015, the number of U.S. job postings specifically geared toward bilingual candidates more than doubled. 1 Employers are seeking professionals who can communicate seamlessly with customers in new and expanding overseas markets, as well as serve and sell to a large foreign-born population here at home. With more than 60 million U.S. residents who speak a language other than English at home, you don’t need to get on a plane to put your language skills to work. 2 As an added incentive, in many instances, language skills also lead to hiring bonuses and increased salaries. Whatever your career aspiration—with language skills added to the mix, you’re ahead of the crowd!

What is the most rewarding aspect of human experience?

1. Connect! One of the most rewarding aspects of the human experience is our ability to connect with others. Being able to communicate with someone in his or her language is an incredible gift. Bilinguals have the unique opportunity to communicate with a wider range of people in their personal and professional lives.

Why don't people learn languages?

You’ve heard all the reasons why some people don’t learn languages, many of these founded on long-held myths and misconceptions . The truth is, in today’s increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, proficiency in other languages is a vital skill that gives you the opportunity to engage with the world in a more immediate ...

How does learning about another culture help us?

Learning about another culture sheds light on aspects of our own culture—both positive and negative —we may not have previously considered. You may find a greater appreciation for what you have, or you may decide to shake things up!

Is it more reason driven to speak a second language?

Studies show that decisions made in your second language are more reason-driven than those made in your native language. 4 Contrary to popular assumptions, when we deliberate in a second or third language, we actually distance ourselves from the emotional responses and biases deeply associated with our mother tongue. The result? Systematic and clear-headed decisions based on just the facts.

Connect to people and cultures

Language is all about communication and connection, and studying a new language brings people and cultures closer to us. At the beginning, learning a language might feel like all vocabulary and grammar, but it doesn't take long to build up the skills to make meaningful connections in the new language.

Challenge your brain

Adults' brains may not be quite as flexible as children's, but they are still really adaptable and ready to learn! Most learners can reach their communication goals without striving for the vaguely-defined concept of "fluency," and your adult brain is definitely equipped for that kind of language learning.

Support healthy aging

For older adults, language learning can serve as an engaging activity that promotes problem solving and strategizing, which research shows can improve cognitive functioning.

It's never too early or too late to start learning!

From your brain's perspective, people of any age can learn new languages -- but it's typically harder for adults to find the time and resources to get the learning to stick. Language learning takes time and patience, and it should also be enjoyable.

How does language improve student performance?

In addition to meeting the needs of future students, language learning has been shown to greatly enhance student performance across the curriculum. Language learning has been shown to improve a student’s cognitive function, including, but not limited to: These cognitive benefits of language learning have been shown to enhance student performance ...

Why is it important to learn a second language?

In the 21st Century knowing a second language is not only beneficial, but necessary for success in life. The continual globalization of the world’s economy is bringing diverse cultures and communities into more frequent contact with each other. The ease of global travel and the internet have collapsed the barrier of distance that once kept the world’s communities separate. From the corporate marketplace to the individual consumer, from the pre-schools to universities, from the beach vacationer to the global jet set, the world community has become integrated and interdependent. Institutions of higher learning are scrutinizing applicants to identify future world leaders. Employers and businesses are seeking applicants who can navigate the modern global economy. It is through learning another language that students can develop both these skill sets. Learning another language also provides many other benefits including greater academic achievement, greater cognitive development, and more positive attitudes towards other languages and cultures. Simply put, language learning is necessary for students to effectively function in the modern global marketplace.

Why are institutions of higher learning scrutinizing applicants?

Institutions of higher learning are scrutinizing applicants to identify future world leaders. Employers and businesses are seeking applicants who can navigate the modern global economy. It is through learning another language that students can develop both these skill sets.

What are the benefits of learning a new language?

One of the most phenomenal benefits of learning a new language? Doors are opened to you around the world. If you’re learning in a group setting, you immediately have new friends to share your new language with. If not, then once you go somewhere and are actually able to employ what you’ve learned, you’ll be surprised how open people are when you speak their mother tongue.

How does learning a second language help you?

Acquiring a second language improves your memory and increases your attention span. The process of becoming bilingual exercises your brain, challenges you to concentrate and boosts your problem solving skills.

How does multilingualism improve brain development?

They’ve also begun to demonstrate that multilingualism improves development in the brain’s areas of executive function and attention, no matter what age the language learner is . 8. It boosts your creativity. Researchers are also concluding that multilingual speakers are more creative than monolingual speakers.

Why is it important to learn a second language?

Learning a second language also improves your native language , as it teaches you the mechanics and structure behind any language — not just new languages.

Why is learning a foreign language important?

Learning a foreign language improves not only your ability to solve problems and to think more logically, it also makes you experiment with new words and phrases. Leveling up your second language skills forces you to reach for alternate words when you can’t quite remember the original one you wanted to use.

Why is bilingualism important?

Many would argue that bilingualism is becoming a progressively necessary and essential skill for anyone who wants to keep up with today’s rapidly increasing global economy. As more and more people recognize the importance of learning an additional language, those who only speak one language will begin to get left behind in our shift towards a more integrated and connected global society.

How does learning a foreign language increase confidence?

Confidence increases when a new skill is mastered , and learning a foreign language is no different. It increases your self-confidence. And let’s face it: confident people are more interesting than those who are unsure of themselves.

Why is learning a language important?

Learning a language gives your memory a good work out in the brain gym. This means that multilingual people have brains that are more exercised and quick to recall names, directions, facts, and figures. 3. Enhances the ability to multi-task.

What are the essentials of learning a new language?

Main Essentials of Learning a New Language – They distinguish three main essentials associated with learning a new language; namely the vocabulary, basic sentence elements / patterns, and grammar rules. Vocabulary – the most basic step towards learning a new language is to learn its words.

Why are multilinguals more confident?

Multilinguals are more confident in their decision-making choices as a result of practice, practice, practice! 7. The first language is improved. Learning a new language makes you more conscious of the nuts and bolts of your own language.

Why is it important to open up to a culture?

Opening up to a culture allows you to be more flexible and appreciative of other people’s opinions and actions. As a result, if you are multilingual, you have the advantage of seeing the world from different viewpoints, enhancing your ability to communicate in today’s globally connected world.

How does language help you?

Language skills boost your ability to do well in problem-solving tasks across the board, a fact recognized through compulsory foreign language learning curriculum in schools. 9. Increases networking skills. Opening up to a culture allows you to be more flexible and appreciative of other people’s opinions and actions.

Why do we need to learn a second language?

Acquiring a second language enables us to develop various mental abilities at all ages. 1. Boosts brain power. A foreign language is a whole new intricate system of rules, structures, and lexis. Learning a new language means your brain has to cope with complexity as it makes sense of and absorbs new patterns.

Is multilingual ability competitive?

According to Eton Institute’s Language Development in the Workforce survey (September 2014), 89% of our clients stated that multilingual employees add value to the workforce and 88% stated that recruiting team members with language skills is important to their organization. A multilingual ability is definitely a competitive edge in today’s world.

How does learning a new language help you?

Outside of practical considerations, learning another language can bring with it neurological benefits . Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the neural networks in the brain to change and reorganize constantly. When we acquire information and go through fresh experiences, we encourage neuroplasticity, allowing our brains to make novel neural connections and alter our default mode of operation. Multiple studies have shown that learning a foreign language results in the physical growth of the language-related areas of our brain—the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex. By forcing our brains to ‘work out’ with the stimulation of a foreign language, we improve various cognitive functions such as concentration and reasoning capability.

Why is learning a new language important?

The most rewarding aspect of speaking another language is the ability to communicate and connect with a different and more diverse range of people. However, there are several additional benefits to learning a new language as well.

Why do people study a second language?

Because multilingual people need to memorize significantly more language information than monolinguals, speaking another language reinforces both your short-term and long-term memory. Due to grammar and vocabulary rules differing across languages, multilingual people also develop the cognitive flexibility to retain several sets of information at the same time. This enables them to be more efficient at multitasking and controlling their attention span. The heightened activity in the brain has also been proven to delay the onset of dementia, with lifelong bilingual people experiencing unfavorable symptoms five years later than monolingual people.

Why do people choose online classes?

Conversely, flexibility and personalization are where online classes shine. This is why many people choose to learn a new language. Certain quality online language programs offer personal tutors who provide one-on-one lessons. Students can schedule classes at a time that is convenient for them without having to sacrifice school, work, or family commitments. They can log on to class from the comfort of their home without having to brave the stress of commuting.

What jobs can you get with a second language?

Bilingual jobs across the globe include translators, international sales representatives, and even scuba diving instructors!

Why do people take private classes?

With private classes, students receive more personal attention from their tutors and feel less self-conscious, allowing them to practice verbally and build up fluency easily. Some online language platforms even have attractive discounts for college and university students, who can use the extra language skills to boost their CVs.

What are the benefits of learning a language?

Arguably, this is one of the most phenomenal benefits of language learning.#N#Your language skills tear down all communication barriers in the world. In the era of the internet, you can find friends in every corner of the world. Africa, Asia, New Zealand are just a few clicks away.

How does learning a language improve alertness?

As Anne-Catherine Nicolay and Martine Poncelet, a pair of scientists from Belgium, discovered in their research, learning a language improves individuals’ alertness, auditory attention, divided attention, and mental flexibility .

Why is bilingualism important?

Many would argue that bilingualism is becoming a progressively necessary and essential skill for anyone who wants to keep up with today’s rapidly increasing global economy. As more and more people recognize the importance of learning an additional language, those who only speak one language will begin to get left behind in our shift towards a more integrated and connected global society.

How fast are bilingual people?

In a small study, bilingual people were about a half-second faster than monolinguals (3.5 versus 4 seconds) at executing novel instructions such as “add 1 to x, divide y by 2, and sum the results.”

How does retrieval help you learn?

Research at the intersection of cognitive science and education has shown that retrieval improves learning in significant ways. Each act of retrieval changes your knowledge, improving the ability to retrieve knowledge again in the future.

What is the skill of mastering a language?

Mastering a language is a skill that requires a lot of time, discipline and persistence. Many people start learning and give up half-way. That’s why employees who have knowledge of a foreign language are much harder to replace. Of course, the rarer and /or more difficult the language, the stronger your leverage. 19.

What happens if you learn a foreign language?

1. Your brain will grow. Johan Martensson’s research shows that after three months of studying a foreign language, learners’ brains grew in four places: the hippocampus, middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and superior temporal gyrus (gyri are ridges on the cerebral cortex).

How does learning a new language affect the brain?

As a person begins to learn a new language, new neural pathways are created within the brain . A study done at the Swedish Armed Forces Interpreter Academy showed that recruits who began intensively studying a second language had increased the size of their hippocampus and three areas in the cerebral cortex, which was shown through MRI brain scans. Activation and growth of the hippocampus helps a person to create a better memory and memorization skills, scientists say.

Why is learning a second language important?

Viorica Morian also found that learning a second language helps a person to become a better listener, because it requires your brain to discern between two sets of very distinctive sounds and to accurately identify those speech sounds. It also helps a person to have better focus, attention and concentration.

How does the Pimsleur method help with learning?

Organic Learning: Every new item introduced in the Pimsleur method is given within the context of a conversation or exchange. This helps learning and retention of the material in a multitude of ways, from allowing your brain to automatically integrate intonation, rhythm, melody, and pronunciation, to embedding prompts for your memory. Pimsleur noted that any baby learns a language through the auditory system and so learning through hearing is the most effective way. The Pimsleur method uses only audio tracks for learning, which is convenient for most people. Some people do their lessons while driving to and from work.

Is learning a language healthy?

As noted in the first half of this article, learning a language is incredibly healthy for a person and I am finding it to be very fun, exciting and fulfilling.

Is learning another language good for you?

The list of benefits goes on, which includes helping to stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s, having more empathy and being able to see different perspectives of a situation more clearly. In fact, the benefits are still only being discovered and it is believed that there is still much scientists don’t know about the benefits to the brain and the overall health of a person from learning another language.