Benefits of learning a second language By Candy

Why should we learn a second language?

In the last entry, I talked about the basic idea of second language acquisition and gave all of you a brief image of how second languages look like in our world. However, you might wonder, why do I need to learn a second language while I am fluent in my own language? Or when you can already speak the well known international language, English?  

The answer to this is very simple and straightforward, because learning a second language can give you a very different viewpoint on life that you might have never thought of.

Therefore, in today’s blog entry, I would like to illustrate some of the benefits of learning a second language which hopefully can convince you to start thinking about learning a new language.

There are enormous benefits in studying a second language. First of all, having the skills of understanding a foreign language can help an individual to become a considerate, eloquent and a successful international citizen.[1] Besides, it can increase people’s intellectual and social abilities which help them across all subjects and other parts of their life, but not only languages. Furthermore, when people are studying a second language, it gives them a better understanding of different cultures[2]. Therefore they will appreciate and be aware of the world more compared to people who are monolingual[3]. They also have greater confidence to experience something that is foreign, such as participating in traditional cultural ceremonies. It can also enhance career opportunities and university entrances. Plus, travelling in other countries can be more feasible and pleasurable[4]. While learning a second language, people also learn a lot about their own language and culture. As they started to have interest in languages, they would want to find out this in more detail and how language is used between people throughout the world. Also, learning a second language would help her to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. While learning a second language, people are discovering the world more deeply by gaining cultural knowledge. In addition, it helps to build better communities but not just benefit individuals.

As a second language learner, I can say I am definitely gaining all the benefits I mentioned above. So, how about you? Change your language and change your thoughts now.” Karl Albrecht, a German entrepreneur[6]

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[1] Mueller, F 2011, 'Lifted By Languages', Adelaide's Child, February, p.12 (a language teacher at Australian National University)

[2] We You Me - Language is the key 2008, motion picture, Government of SA Department of Education and Children Service, South Australia

[3] Why learn languages? 2011, World Languages and Culture, accessed 12 Nov 2012, <http://www.vistawide.com/languages/why_languages.htm>

[4] Ibid

[6] Language Quotes n.d., ThinkExist.com Quotation, accessed 12 Nov 2012, http://thinkexist.com/quotations/language/