Some say that the beauty of the human species lies in the fact that we are so alike and yet so different from each other at the same time. This is evident in cultural traditions like religious ceremonies, culinary heritage, ritual celebrations and more. The differences in language may be the most evident of all of these traits.
The spoken word is used around the globe to share histories, tell stories, teach, sing, laugh, collaborate and innovate. What’s amazing is that there are over 7100 languages spoken today. Thousands of different ways to express the same feelings, thoughts and ideas.
Out of these 7100, only 23 languages make up more than half of the world’s population. Learning one of these foreign languages opens up entirely new worlds of culture, experience and relationships to any who takes up the challenge. If you are considering it, you may be asking yourself, “What are the benefits of learning a foreign language?”- Improves Cognitive Performance
Learning a foreign language is a complicated and challenging process. Forcing your brain to make new pathways in this manner improves your cognitive performance over the long term.
- Helps with Memory
We’ve all heard “Use it or lose it!”. This applies to memory as well. One of the benefits of learning a foreign language is that you need to remember and recall many new words, forms of sentence structure and much more. As you use your memory, it improves greatly.
- Deepens Your Understanding of Your First Language
By embarking on a journey to learn a foreign language, you begin to understand the intricacies of your native tongue. You will need to find ways to explain what you want to communicate and to do that, you need to know how and why you say the things you do.
- Enhances Decision Making Abilities
Making decisions in a foreign language seems to invoke the use of more logic and rational thinking than if you were making that same decision in your native tongue.
- Improves Communication Skills
If you learn a foreign language, you can communicate with a larger number of people overall but also, in the process of learning, you learn to communicate more effectively.
- Gives You Fresh Perspective
Some concepts cannot be properly translated. One of the benefits of learning a foreign language is that you can understand new concepts as well as see things from a new and enlightened perspective.
- Open Opportunities
Speaking more than one language opens career, travel and relational opportunities by allowing you to partake in situations you would not have been able to participate in had you not known the foreign language.
- Exposes You to New Ideas
Many great thinkers don’t speak your native tongue. Learning a foreign language opens you to a world of new ideas and concepts that may not have yet been translated into your first language.
- Increases Your Self Confidence
Overcoming challenges almost always boosts your self-confidence. Learning a foreign language will make you more confident in your travels, at your work and at home.
- It’s Exciting and Fun!
A new language offers up so many new opportunities that it makes the challenge of learning fun and exciting!
Learning a Foreign Language: A Worthy Challenge
As you can see, the benefits of learning a foreign language are many. A whole new world of people, places and passions is just on the other side. Are you looking to begin? Check out the opportunities available through Castle Inter-Program. Not only will you be able to learn a foreign language, but you will also have the experience of a lifetime doing it. Reach out and see how you can get started today.