Benefits of Learning a Second Language

Benefits of Learning a Second Language Why is it important to learn a second language? To find out the benefits of learning a second language read on … We find diversity in the cultures and people make the so-called small world an enormous ocean of people; people boasting of their own cultures, traditions and languages. Their ways to express ideas were vary and so do their dialects. Benefits of learning a second language come in to picture when it comes to understanding and experiencing this diversity. Learning a second language is the acquisition of a language other than one’s native language. It is a learning to express oneself in the words of other communities. It is like expressing one’s ideas in the other’s way! It is important to learn a second language to tickle the ‘linguistic hemisphere’ of your brain. It is important to exploit brain potential to the maximum possible extent. One way to do it is learning different languages. Learning a second language develops the cognitive abilities. It is seen to be improving learning skills of a person. It increases the grasping power of a person’s brain. According to an observation, people knowing many languages are likely to stay young! Language lovers always find it interesting to explore languages other than their own. They are eager to dive into the sea of languages and master some of them. But for those who only engage in solving Math problems or delve into science inventions, it is necessary to even peep into the world of languages. Just see how enriched you feel on learning a second language. Ask yourself the question, "Why is it important to learn a second language?" Your inner mind will respond by saying that it is always keen to learn new things, understand new cultures and be able to think and feel in different ways. Knowing just one language is not enough. Our mind yearns for new ways of expression. It is a human tendency to discover new means of communication. Second language can quench the thirst of newness. Brainpower depends on how active the brain is kept. It is proportional to the exercise given to the brain. Learning a second language is a good brain exercise. It involves comprehension of a completely new technique of expression. It includes the understanding of new words, their pronunciations and the meanings as well as the feelings they convey. Another benefit of learning a second language is that it deepens the understanding of one’s own language and culture. Knowing a language other than one’s native language build confidence in him/her. It increases the scope of one’s knowledge. It enables a person communicate with people speaking that language. Languages always serve as communication links between people. If one learns a second language he/she automatically becomes approachable to the community that speaks it. It earns him/her friends of other regions and religions. Second language learning is found to manifest its benefits in school children. The strategies that children apply in learning the first language are applicable while learning a second language also. Knowing how to read and write in the first language supports the learning of a second language. Learning a second language build creativity in children and develops their literacy skills. School children who study a second language do better than their monolingual peers. Cultural and language experts believe in the benefits of learning a second language. They say that school children must be taught a second language. It widens their horizons. Some say, it is best to gain knowledge of a second language at an early age while others do not think an early age a necessity. By not learning a second language, we limit the expanse of our knowledge. We miss the experience of the variety of people. We restrict our learning skills. Moreover, learning a second language can be fun. If this has convinced you of the benefits of learning a second language, go ahead! It is never too late!