Why You Should Learn Another Language

Some of you might be wondering: should I learn a second language? If so, why should I? The answer is: YES! Learning a second language is an important skill that will benefit you for your entire life.

As a Spanish for the Professions minor, some of my favorite classes have been those of the Spanish curriculum. My medical Spanish class has taught me more practical information about medicine than any of my pre-med classes. I was also fortunate enough to spend a month in Salamanca, Spain, taking a class called Modern Spanish Culture. This was one of the most rewarding experiences, as I was able to absorb so much information about the food, music, and various regions of Spain. I feel so much more connected to not only the Spanish culture, but also to myself. It has shown me how rewarding it can be to immerse yourself in a new culture and interact with the people from that region. I am a firm believer that everyone should know at least two languages… you can only benefit from the experience!

Keep in mind that you don’t have to travel to a new place to immerse yourself. There are plenty of songs, TV shows, movies, and even online courses in other languages to help you learn about the people and the culture.

Here are a few reasons why everyone should learn a new language:

Cultural understanding: When you learn a language, you learn more than just the spoken words. You absorb knowledge about the countries and cultures where that language is spoken. It acts as a direct connection to those places, and broadens your appreciation for those places as well. This can be through learning vocabulary relating to the regional foods, reading the literature, or even watching movies from different countries. It allows for a deeper understanding and more empathetic view on life in different places, and breaks down cultural barriers as well.
Job opportunity: being able to speak more than one language is an important life skill that can broaden your job opportunities down the road. Employers love seeing that applicants can speak multiple languages, and it shows that you are an intelligent, empathetic person with appreciation for many cultures! It also allows you the possibility to work in countries where that language is spoken.
Traveling: whether it be for vacation, volunteering, or studying abroad, knowing different languages can make traveling a more enjoyable experience. It also can help you navigate the foreign countries, and being able to effectively communicate with the natives adds a level of enjoyment that is otherwise unattainable.
Strengthen your brain: learning a new language has cognitive benefits as well. It helps sharpen your thinking skills, memory, and problem-solving abilities! Not to mention once you learn one language, learning another becomes that much easier. If you learn Spanish, learning italian or french is a breeze.