Bilingual Benefits

Why learning a new language now makes sense

You’ve probably noticed that languages other than English are spoken more than ever before. From cartoons that teach Chinese words to preschoolers and commercials airing completely in Spanish, the idea of being multi-lingual (speaking more than one language) has never been more popular. And as our nation and even our world grow, never before has it been so important to consider taking up a second language. Below you’ll find the biggest reasons the experts want kids your age to learn another language. There are several tips on choosing the right language for you to learn and the best approach for learning it.

The Top 4 Reasons to Learn
Another Language Interpersonal Skills — Aside from the obvious that learning another language allows you to communicate with more people, it also gives
you an opportunity to learn about different cultures and interact with people you may not have if you didn’t speak their tongue.

Think Better — Research suggests that students who learn a second language
might be better problem solvers and more creative. How cool is that?

Be Brainy — Some studies show that kids who learn a foreign language score higher on college entrance exams and achieve higher academic achievement.

Achieve Success —
Knowing another language can be a real bonus when you are older. Some colleges are even requiring that you’ve had some classes before you are accepted. Being bi-lingual can also open the door to new and exciting careers.

The Best Time to Learn

So, what’s the rush to learn a new language? Because of the way our brains develop,
it’s actually a lot easier to learn another language the younger we are. Perhaps you
had some introduction to a foreign language in elementary school. If so, great! And if
not… now is the perfect time to start. You’ll be ahead of the game when you enter high school and will probably find your foreign language classes there easier.

Se Habla...What Exactly?

So now that you know that learning a new language can be fun and helpful for
your future, how do you decide which one to learn? There are several things to consider.

First, ask yourself if there are any certain cultures you find interesting. Maybe you
dream of visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris and have a taste for croissants. If so, then
French might be the language for you. Or, perhaps your ancestors are from Italy and you’d love to learn to speak Italian with your grandpa. You get the idea — choose
something you think you’ll enjoy!

Another factor to think about is which languages currently have the greatest impact on our country and economy. Both Spanish and Chinese are very popular choices right now because of our country’s relationships with people from the countries where they are spoken. Your parent or guidance counselor at school should be able to help you with making the right choice if you think you’ll want to use the language in your future career.

Lastly, you’ll obviously want to opt for a language in which classes are available. Talk with your guidance counselor to see what is available at your school. You can also check out programs that may be offered in your community, like through your local Parks and Recreation or YMCA. It’s probably a good idea to choose a language that is offered at the high school you’ll attend. That way, you’ll be well on your way to becoming fluent in your language of choice in just a few short years!