What are The Benefits of Learning a Second Language? From Teesside to Timbuktu, ‘learn another language’ is a hot topic everywhere. It seems we all want to be able to speak a second language, whether to improve our career prospects, to be able to travel more easily, or simply for the joy and challenge of learning a language. But whether it’s your second language or your seventh, languages bring with them a whole world (pun intended) of benefits – some obvious, some not so obvious.
10 The Benefits of Learning a Second Language
- Meet new people
Of course, being able to speak the language of another culture opens the door to new friendships and relationships that would otherwise be impossible. Even saying a few words of a local language on holiday warms people up to you and encourages conversation – give it a try! - Improves brain power
A second language is a completely different system of structure, rules, vocabulary, grammar, idioms, nuances and meaning – learning to navigate it is no small task and in doing so, your brain strengthens its ability to problem-solve, discuss, read and concentrate. - Improves memory
Always forget your bank account PIN or where you put your car keys? Maybe you should learn a few French words, or brush up on some Danish! Studies have shown that multilinguals can remember names, directions, and shopping lists faster due to their ability to memorize new vocabulary. - Reduce the likelihood of age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia
The average age of the first signs of dementia is 71. In adults who speak multiple languages, it rises to 75.5 – all this brain exercise keeps your brain young for a long time and prevents these debilitating diseases. - Improves the ability to multitask
In today’s fast-paced society, multitasking is no longer just a valuable skill – it’s simply essential for survival. Tackle several different problems at once comes naturally to a language learner who is adept at listening comprehension, word memorization, verb conjugation, and understanding different forms of meaning. - Better results in other academic areas
Countless studies have shown that multilingual students score higher on standardized tests, including math, reading, and vocabulary, than their monolingual peers. No matter your age, there is also strong evidence that one of the benefits of learning another language is to increase your IQ and improve general cognitive abilities. - Improves career prospects
A major benefit of learning another language is improving your employment prospects. Being able to speak a second language indicates dedication and intellectual flexibility, which are valuable assets in an employee’s toolbox. Not to mention the ability to communicate with different cultures and negotiate internationally – multilingual individuals often earn much higher salaries, and a second language can put you ahead of other candidates. - Increases brain size
Yes, it’s true! While brain size is not an indicator of intelligence, a 2014 study found that bilingual brains who acquired a second language later in life actually had increased mass in the brain regions responsible for attention, inhibition, and short-term memory. - Builds Confidence
Acquiring any new skill boosts confidence, but to learn a new language, individuals need to leave their shy and reserved days behind. It is essential to interact with new people, step out of your comfort zone, and broaden your life experiences, which in turn builds confidence by the bucketload. - Become more open-minded
When you delve deeper into the language and culture of another country, you are less likely to feel prejudiced towards anyone who is different from you. What’s more, a study by Kaplan International found that speaking multiple languages makes you more attractive to others – so what’s not to like?!
Whatever your initial motivation, it’s clear that having a second language in your arsenal brings profound and long-lasting benefits, not only to your physical health, but also to your social and intellectual abilities. Today’s society is becoming increasingly international, and soon we will all have no choice but to learn a second language – so why not go ahead and start now?