There are thousands of languages spoken across the globe on a daily basis. And there are many reasons why learning a language other than your native tongue is beneficial.
#1 Give yourself a competitive edge
If you plan on taking on a role that will see you travel continents, being proficient and confident in commonly spoken languages makes sense.
English is the most commonly spoken language, with 750 million speakers having learnt it in order to communicate more effectively on the international stage.
#2 Bilingualism can land you your dream job
There are predictions that in the coming years, there will be a shortage of translators and interpreters. So much so, that in a recent insight into the American jobs market showed that translators would be one of the 15 fastest growing professions in the US in years to come.
Language is a powerful communication tool and when there is a block in one person understanding another, productivity and progress are stunted too.
#3 You can earn more money
With bilingual workers in short supply in most countries and global industries, it is no wonder that when companies come across talented linguists, they want to hold on to them.
Alongside other benefits, it was found that talented workers with the ability to speak more than one language earned on average 2% more than those that didn’t.
#4 Opens up your world!
Language isn’t just about ordering your favourite tipple at your favourite beach bar on holiday, although no one can deny this is an important skill.
Understanding another language opens up a whole new arena of understanding. It brings history and culture to life with many people also warming to those who make an effort to learning their native language.
You’ll have a finer appreciation of art, films and literature too which in itself will give a richer undertone to life.
#5 A different outlook
The importance of language should never be dubbed down and a piece of scientific research has shown that people who are bilingual genuinely see the world differently.
Every language has a rich base of words but in some languages, there are more words that can be used to describe the same thing. Think of snow, for example. In the Inuit language, there are 50 words to describe snow but in the English language only one.
By embracing another language, it was found that people saw the world around them differently because they had more words to describe what they saw.
#6 You can solve problems better
A study in Scotland and Italy found that bilingual children were more adept at solving problems. Researchers believe that this is down to the use and range of vocabulary that bilingual children have at their disposal, giving them more tools to use as part of problem-solving.
#7 It can slow down ageing
Cognitive function is how well our brain thinks and reasons. As we age, our cognitive sense can become dulled. But there is evidence that shows being bilingual and actively using a language other than our native tongue slows cognitive decline.
If that isn’t a reason to learn a new language, what is?
