The Benefits of Learning a Second Language

Ever wonder how much easier life would be if you were able to speak a second language? As if challenges in life are not hard enough, the benefits of being bilingual would be an advantage to people for everyday use.

The Hispanic population in the United States is growing rapidly, and so is the Spanish language. Not just in the United States but populations in countries everywhere are growing with those from different parts of the world. Even going to a store, there is always times where you cannot communicate with employees making it tough to do such a simple thing. Know a days, everyone has to deal with people from other countries which is why everyone should expand there knowledge of another language.

It is a struggle for us to try to communicate not knowing one another's language. It would benefit society including nurses, teachers, and law enforcement which would be able to work more effectively knowing a second language. Learning a second language now will benefit those in the work force in the future. If we were all able to speak Spanish, the world's communication would become so much easier.

Traveling to foreign countries would allow you to communicate with others and make your trip a whole lot easier. Also, it would allow travelers to have a lot more freedom not having to find a translator to guide them around. That would be a lot more convenient for travelers.

Being bilingual is a real asset in today's work force. Knowing two languages allows you to prepare for the world of work ahead of you. Having this skill offers more money and a wider range of work opportunities. A bilingual person is more likely to get a job if the other candidate is not. Why would you want to lose out on a career for this reason?

As for children, this is a benefit in the learning environment. In a survey, researchers found that those learning a second language had higher test scores. Not only that, there level of achievement in all areas were more advanced then the children who were not bilingual or learning a second language. Foreign language has also been shown to improve a child's memory and listening skills. It expands children's learning aspects greatly making them overall more intelligent.

Another benefit from being bilingual is that it enhances ones knowledge of personal and cultural experiences. They will learn a good understanding of the different cultures around them, giving people a better understanding of each other.

People knowing a second language will have more of a variety of entertainment. They will be able to read, hear, and see more then those who know only one language. A person could read more literature, speak to society, listen and understand different types of music, and watch different shows and movies that those only knowing one language cannot.

It is a fact that bilingual people are more self confident facing life on a day to day basis. For those who decide not to learn a second language, they are choosing to make life harder on not just them self, but those around them. It makes other's have a tougher time trying to communicate with them. It limits there choices as far as employment, traveling, and learning different cultures. As for their kids, if a parent does not give their kid the benefit of learning a second language, they are making it harder on them in the future. Not only that but they are depriving them from a higher education with the chance of greatly expanding their learning skills. Their child is going to have a hard time in the 21^st century going through life without this knowledge. It is obvious, the benefits of knowing or learning a second language clearly gives society more options in everyday life.

Curtain, H. (1990) Foreign Language Learning: An Early Start.Rosenburg, M. (1996) Raising Bilingual Children.