There is predicted to be a sharp decline in the number of students choosing to study Modern Languages in the UK, particularly from state schools serving those from low income backgrounds, yet monolingualism is proving to be a significant disadvantage as we become increasingly globalised.
With over 6800 languages in the world, we underestimate the important insights gained by speaking other languages than our own. Many people desire to learn a new language, however, it is not easily accomplished and widely unappreciated how much time and dedication and is required to get to a near-fluent level. Unfortunately for all you language students out there, as adults our brains will never adept to language of that of a new born child. As we grow, our ability to grasp new words decreases and it can take years to even grasp the basics of some of the world’s most spoken languages. However, equipped with the new language skills, you will build up some surprising benefits from bilingualism/multilingualism:
Cognitive Skills
To date, more than 150 major research studies confirm the cognitive advantages of bilingualism. These studies have found that bilingual students consistently outperform monolingual students in four key areas of thinking: cognitive flexibility, metalinguistic awareness, communicative sensitivity, and field independence. There are also strong links between the ability to interpret multiple languages and the way that the brain processes information. There have been a bunch of findings which suggest that multi-tasking functionalities, as well as memory and design making skills are more prominent in those fluent in a foreign language. Children who have learnt multiple languages have also been proven to have improved cognitive skills of the brain.
“It seems that the benefits of bilingualism are particularly powerful and broad, and include attention, inhibition and encoding of sound.” Researcher Viorica Marian.
Travel
Learning a widely spoken language such as French or Spanish inevitably makes it easier to go about your business confidently, speaking more openly with cultured people when you’re travelling. Communicating in the same language opens travellers minds by putting things into different perspectives in regards to cultural differences, allowing you to explore a range of cultures with a lot more understanding, and ultimately enhancing the travelling experience. Being able to speak the language in a foreign country improves sociability and also demonstrates a respect for the country.
Career Prospects
With employers opting for an increasingly global workforce, investing your time into a language is investing in your future. With on average 48 applications to every job position nowadays, standing out amongst monolingual applicants could get you that dream job. Businesses are realising that employees equipped with multiple languages are fundamental to keeping up in a rapidly changing and essential when competing internationally with businesses across the world.
“Bilingualism offers huge advantages” claims Cambridge University head, Leszek Borysiewicz.
In a world of thriving ICT developments in education, it’s easy to begin learning a new language for free. DuoLingo is a website and application which combines language instruction in Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian and English for free, with the fun of competing against your friends. Although time and money are the main restrictors from learning a language, they are easily overcome, and ultimately the benefits of bilingualism, in this globalised world, no doubt, outweigh the restricting factors.
Sources
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17892521
http://leap.tki.org.nz/Is-bilingualism-an-advantage
Image Source
http://tripletsintribeca.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/spanish_numbers_1.jpg
Edited by Amelia Bauer