I’m planning on writing a paper on the benefits of learning a new language. This topic is relevant to me because languages have influenced me throughout my entire life. I was introduced to languages right away. My mom is a French teacher so she spoke to my brother and I in French when we were little. Immediately, I discovered a passion for learning new languages. I started taking French as soon as I could, which was seventh grade. Then, freshmen year I decided to take Spanish as well. So I chose to test out of Spanish 1 over the summer and enroll in Spanish 2 my junior year. At first, taking both languages at the same time was difficult, but overtime it became much easier and a lot of fun. In addition to the enjoyment of learning a language it is extremely beneficial. From challenging your brain to improving your native language there are several reasons why learning another language is important. Throughout my research I want to discover all of the advantages of being bilingual. I also hope that I spread awareness and encourage people to begin to learn another language.
What do you think about the benefits of learning a new language? Do you enjoy learning languages? Do you think we should be required to take two years of a language in order to graduate? Please add any other thoughts you have.
Dear Sage,
I’m liz I just want to say home much I enjoyed reading your experiences with language. I wish my mom would be a french teacher. I feel like knowing more than one language is a privilege because you get to communicate with people from around the world. I also feel it’s a challenge, but after you complete it you feel proud because you just learned a new language. Sincerely, Liz
Sage,
I think this is such a good topic to research. Language is something that I love as well and I would love to learn more. At home, I speak Spanish with my parents because both of them were born and raised in Venezuela, so Spanish is their first language. When I was younger, I also spoke French but due to a lack of practice, I forgot most of it. I would love to re-learn French and maybe even some other languages.
-Shenika
Sage,
I am a person who took Spanish just because I had to. I think it would be amazing to be bilingual and wish I was but unfortunately I was no good at Spanish. I feel like the two years should be necessary in high school but not college. I feel like being bilingual would be very beneficial to your education and to help you further in life. It would make communication with people much easier when our country is so diverse.
I think that learning a different language can be very beneficial, it gives you the opportunity to be able to communicate with others that you wouldn’t have before done if you only knew one language.
I am currently in AP Spanish and I love taking a language. I think that it is fun and a great way to learn about other cultures.
I think that students should be required to take at least one foreign language so that they can give themselves an opportunity to learn different way of communicating.
Hello Sage. I love your thought provoking article. As a high school student I took three years of Spanish, and absolutely enjoyed it. By not only learning the languages of new countries we are also exposed to the different dialects, customs, religions, and ways of life that come with it. Being able to speak fluent in different dialects allows a deeper engagement with different backgrounds, and doors to so many different opportunities in different foreign countries. I totally agree that taking two years of a language should be required as we not only learn a different dialect, but the customs, and traditions, and history that comes with it!
Jessica,
That is amazing. What languages do you speak? I would love to get to the point where I can speak that many languages. Why do you know so many languages? Do you have a favorite language? I would love to hear about how knowing all these languages have impacted your life.
Sage
I speak more than 5 languages at home without counting English and having the opportunity to speak more than one language is so beneficial, I get to choose what language I want to speak in and go to a country where they speak that language and not feel left out. Since French was my first language, learning other languages like Spanish is still a skill I need to practice, but encouraging teen too take two years of language before graduating its as helpful as it is tough.