As daunting as learning a second language may feel—after all, you have to learn grammar, pronunciation, and even some culture among other things to really effectively communicate—the struggle of doing so pays off eventually. Forget bragging about being bilingual or multilingual! Learning a second language comes with a variety of benefits, ranging from having a higher paying job to improving cognitive skills. Acquiring a second language can essentially alter your brain.

Studies have shown that people who speak more than one language tend to have denser grey matter in their brains, which is associated with improved cognition and higher intelligence.[1] They also have a higher white matter integrity, which “boosts their brain’s reserves.” “Reserves” specifically refers to your brain’s ability to improve and its agility.[2] This is all to say that the process of learning new things, but in particular a new language, is a great workout for your brain as it can “form new connections in the brain and strengthen nervous system links.”[3]  Your concentration, memory, and communication all improve as you learn a second language. Learning a language makes you more alert and improves your ability to focus, which results in a better attention span and an increased ability in devoting yourself effectively to whatever task is at hand. In the same vein, since learning a language requires so much memorization (mostly at the start) and practice, your memorization and active recall skills improve.[3] Plus, you might even find a specific system or way to remember grammar and rules that is transferable to other tasks.

Your communication skills and knowledge of your first language are also improved by the acquisition of another.[4] “Learning a new language helps you put names to what you learned instinctively in the first language” as you compare and contrast the different structures of each.[4] As for being a better communicator, a new language facilitates your ability to see things from other perspectives and develop a stronger sense of empathy, which in turn sharpens your effectiveness as a communicator. It helps you learn how to approach conversations. Plus, learning requires active listening, which is key to good communication. 

Lastly, according to a study discussed by Forbes, learning a language can cause “a delay in the onset of age-related mental decline.”[5] Other studies corroborate this, one specifically stating that it can prevent degenerative neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s.[3]

Now, onto some academic and career benefits. For students, New York University found that those who are bilingual “performed two to three times better on exams compared with students who knew only one language.”[5] A majority of other studies on the subject come to the same conclusion.[3] This is because learning another language tends to improve their creativity and ability to adapt and multitask. The constant switching from one language to another makes it easier for the brain to focus on different tasks.[4] This one undertaking can then have a massive influence over nearly every aspect of your life. 

In an increasingly globalized world, it is almost a necessity to know at least one other language than your own.[4] As more companies hire from around the world, being bilingual or multilingual can make you a more competitive candidate. In fact, there are several languages in high demand across the globe, including “Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Japanese, and Hindi,” as companies are willing to pay more to not require a translator for their business.[6] A study also revealed that people who are fluent in more than one language “earned 19% more than single-language speakers.”[5]

So, while learning a new language may feel like you’re Sisyphus, there are real, tangible benefits at the crest of the hill. Keep it steady!

PSG

Publishing Solutions Group is committed to providing high-quality products and services to our clients. Understanding the benefits of multilingualism allows us to better meet our client’s needs. Among these, our related services range from translation to audio and from copyediting to proofreading, which is crucial for effective educational resources.

[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24831-grey-matter

[2] https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-is-cognitive-reserve

[3] https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/29/learning-language-changes-your-brain/

[4] https://potomac.edu/benefits-of-learning-a-second-language/

[5] https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2023/10/01/improve-your-salary-and-career-by-speaking-a-second-language/

[6] https://www.washingtontech.edu/career-benefits-of-learning-a-2nd-language/

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