10 good Reasons to Learn a Foreign Language

There are so many great reasons for learning a foreign language that we thought we’d bring you ten of

the best! Learning a foreign language could really be a great idea and in ways that perhaps you hadn’t

considered. We think that to just remain monolingual, like other things in life, just forces self -

constrained limitations on you. We live in a fantastically richly cultures world and we should all strive to

understand and learn as much about our world’s diversity as possible. By not learning a foreign language

you could limit your communication and thinking skills but more importantly, you may miss out on a

whole host of opportunities for personal, professional, social and economic development and success.

Sick and tired of reading things like “Cold shredded children and sea blubber in spicy sauce” on menus?

There are many foreign languages that you could choose to earn – French, Spanish or English for

example. Here is why you should be learning a foreign language.

1. To Widen your Understanding

Learning a foreign language allows you to fully appreciate the culture and its context of a country. By

understanding a person’s culture, for example, you can avoid situations which could cause

misunderstandings. Such events have been widely documented in the press over recent years and

companies like HSBC have built successful advertising campaigns based on understanding cultural

differences. Being able to understand other cultures and through learning a foreign language you can

bridge the gap between cultures, which would be a powerful tool in today’s modern world. It is

interesting to note that 52.7% of Europeans are fluent in at least two languages, whereas only 9.3% of

Americans.

2. Improve your Employability

A fundamental element of business is being able to sell a product. Selling is all well and good in your

own country, but what happens when it comes to selling in a foreign market? To sell you must

understand the values and morals of the people you are selling to. We live in a truly global economy and

companies constantly expanding overseas. A more recent development is the globalisation of countries

from less developed countries, such as China and Thailand, to English speaking countries. These factors

create strong demand for multilingual employees – businesses need you and are willing to pay for you!

Despite what career you choose on, or whatever your life aims, it’s obvious that learning a foreign

language certainly won’t hurt you. The likelihood is that job opportunities would open up to you that

wouldn’t have and what’s for sure is that you will have much more earning power. And at the very least,

you certainly will stand out against a monolingual job candidate.

3. Better your own Language skills

Research has shown that having an understanding of a foreign language also helps your native language

development. It has been found that students can develop better vocabularies and an improved level of

literacy all through studying a foreign language. In fact, studies have shown that students’ exam scores –

such as SATs – have improved year-on-year for every year a foreign language is studied.

4. Develop life skills

Learning a foreign language involves different learning skills and helps develop key skills through

listening, writing and reading. This in turn will help actually help you improve in other areas too. Your

general reading and mental skills improve through studying a language. In fact, if studied from a young

age, there will be a very noticeable benefit to cognitive development, such as creativity, problem-solving

and reasoning. But in addition to these skills, learning a foreign language will give you important life

skills. You will be better able to adapt and cope with changes and to deal with unfamiliar and new

situations. You will also find that you are better able to communicate with people from all walks of life.

5. Stand out when Applying for Higher Education

Being able to show to University Admission Clerks that you have previously studied a foreign language

could add significant weight to your applications. You will show that you are a more rounded and

educated person – the sort of thing that Admission Clerks absolutely love.

If you are looking to study a postgraduate for example, a foreign language may well be a prerequisite of

admission. This is especially relevant for those students considering PhD applications as research is often

published in books and professional journals around the globe.

6. Discover Entertainment from Around the World

There are so many great books, films and music from many counties around the world. A translation or

dub is just not the same as many elements of language simply can’t be translated literally from one

language to another. To be able to access the world’s great wealth of literature, music, film and theatre

you should do them justice and enjoy them in their original form. Learning a foreign language will

certainly open your eyes to amazing things.

7. Enjoy Travelling

Being able to travel and fully immerse yourself in the country and culture is a fantastic way to holiday.

Being able to “go native”, taking part in the everyday life of regular residents. Of course, we all know it is

possible to travel anywhere these days without speaking the native language. But, if you don’t speak

English then, well, you’ll struggle to say the least. The language barrier can be anywhere from mildly

frustrating to dangerous and intimidating. Having studied a foreign language you will feel comfortable in

ordering food, understanding directions, being able to fully travel on public transport and save

considerable money and maybe even batter for things in shops. In fact, many people often appreciate it

when you communicate in their language – or in some cases, at least try! And remember, if you really

want to explore a country and get away from all the tourist traps, you’re definitely going to need to

know the language. Perhaps one of the best reasons for studying a foreign language don’t you think?

8. Being able to study Overseas

If you choose to study a foreign language you needn’t study it at expensive, limited schools in your own

country. Why not combine your studies with travelling and find out about study abroad programmes?

You’ve made it this far through our Top 10 list and if you’re beginning to think you should be studying a

foreign language this could well be the option for you. You could be studying English in London, French

in Paris or Chinese in Beijing. The opportunities are endless.

The benefits of studying a foreign language in a study overseas programme is that you will be practicing

all the time – as soon as you step out the classroom you will be putting what you learnt into practice.

Compared to studying in a school in your own country, the benefits are two-fold: much quicker

development of your language skills and the chance to study the foreign language’s culture and context.

9. Increase your Understanding of your own Culture

If you study a foreign language and its culture, you will be able to see your own culture from another

perspective. Encountering other cultures will allow you to question things that you’ve taken to be

universal. Studying a foreign language will give you the unique opportunity of stepping outside the

boundary of your everyday life. Experiences of other cultures and your personal development through

the study of a foreign language will greatly shape your identity and heighten your self -awareness

10. Make life-time Friendships

Studying a foreign language and all the opportunities it can bring will definitely increase the number of

people on the globe who you can meet and communicate with. Be it meeting international students,

immigrants in your community and establishing new relationships with people overseas, studying a

foreign language really can change your life for the better.

So you’ve read our 10 good reasons why you should be learning a foreign language and been nodding

your head all the way? Great! You have seen how studying a foreign language can richly develop you

and your life. So what are you waiting for, read more about studying other foreign languages and study

abroad programmes.

The Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language at a Young Age Children gain several advantages when they study other languages.

There are several long-lasting mental, social and even professional benefits to learning a foreign language at a young age. Children who continuously study other languages have often been shown to think in a different, more complex manner than youths who only learn their native tongue. They also are often more open and willing to accept the customs of other cultures.

1. Enhanced Learning Abilities

o Studying foreign languages has been shown to have a positive effect on mental development, particularly in young people, and an enhanced overall intellectual

growth. The Association of Departments of Foreign Languages states that

studying other languages at a young age can improve math and critical thinking skills as well as strengthen the use and understanding of a child's native

tongue. Their research even shows that students who continuously take foreign language courses score higher on standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT,

with each additional year of study.

Exposure to Other Cultures

o Studying a foreign language early in life exposes children to other cultures--with different values, language patterns and ways of expressing themselves--in a

way they never would have experienced had they not taken up the subject. By gaining the ability to communicate with people from other areas of the world at

an early age, children become more interested in, as well as accepting of, ways of life that differ from their own.

o

Career Opportunities

o Learning a foreign language at a young age gives students an advantage in becoming successful in their chosen careers later in life. By beginning studies early, students can take advantage of educational programs at the primary

schools they attend as well as get a head start for studying languages in college or life after high school. Mastering a foreign language will also increase a

candidate's chances in landing a desired job because she will be able to communicate with more people from other areas of the world, and corporations view this skill as a real asset.

The Advantages of Foreign Languages in Elementary Schools Learning second languages can help parents and children communicate.

There are many academic subjects that elementary students must master before being promoted from grade level to grade level. It is not always required, however, for elementary students to study foreign languages. Studies and experts claim that there are several advantages to learning to speak a second language at a young age and that many of those advantages pertain to academic and social progress.

1. Social Skills

o Elementary students who study foreign languages are better equipped to embrace and interact effectively with people who are different. Learning a second language creates conceptual and linguistic bridges that make it easier

for children to understand other cultures and to communicate with people

around the world. This increases the opportunities to be effective and successful members of the global society in the future. Learning a second

language also improves chances of being hired and promoted in the global workplace.

Cognitive Development

o A child of elementary school age and younger gain greater cognitive capacities if he learns a second language. He performs better academically when he studies foreign languages, often excelling in many ares of study, including

mathematics. These students tend to outperform other students who have replaced the study of an additional language with the continued study of

mathematics or other academic fields. Students show improvements in creative abilities, problem solving skills and mental flexibility overall.

Capabilites Due to Age

o Younger children, of elementary school age and below, have the ability to pick

up nuances in language such as native pronunciation and grammatical rules. This is because a child is still learning her own native tongues and her brain, like sponges, soak up differences in linguistics more easily than older children

and adults. Because a young child also tends to be more motivated to learn new languages, she tends to excel in native pronunciation and intonation.

Neurological Benefits

o Studies by researchers at the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience in London, England, have concluded that learning a second language at a young age can actually alter the human brain. The anatomy or physical makeup of the brain is

greatly affected by language when children are still in developmental stages and the introduction of a foreign language during this time can increase the

development of the brain's grey matter.

What Is Tourism and economic development are linked by the various ways in which tourism can

contribute to the economic development of a tourist destination. This relationship between tourism and

economic development is the basis for the dependence of some tourist-based economies on the effects of

tourism for their economic development. For instance, tourism provides more jobs for local citizens, helps

local citizens start businesses that cater to tourists, leads to the generation of revenue from tourist spending and

fiscal policies, and aids in the development of infrastructure.

One of the benefits or links between tourism and economic development is the fact that a vibrant tourist region

provides employment for the citizens of that area. Tourism needs a lot of services in order to sustain the

industry. For example, the hospitality industry creates jobs for people in businesses like hotels and restaurants.

Employment is a macroeconomic factor that contributes to the growth of an economy by providing workers

with disposable income and consequently leading to an increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the

region.

Another way in which tourism and economic development are linked is through the provision of small or

micro enterprises for certain citizens. The citizens that might benefit from small businesses linked to tourist

include individual or sole entrepreneurs with limited funds and other types of collaborations that do not require

a lot of finance. For instance, some people might open a store that mainly caters to the needs of tourists. They

could collaborate with local artisans and craftsmen to supply them with handcrafted objects, which they would

sell to the tourists as souvenirs.

The store owners will share the profits with the local artisans, or they may buy the objects from them outright.

This helps the economy by providing the poorer members of the community with disposable income. Tourists

also like to visit places with a rich cultural heritage. Most times, these places are located in villages that would

otherwise not receive much government attention. Due to the significance of the villages, they will receive

more attention and more development as a result.

Infrastructure to support the tourist market or trade includes factors like good airports, security, hotels and

roads. Such factors help facilitate economic development and might not be as developed if not for their

importance to the economy. For instance, a tourist destination that is located in a remote village will need good

access roads, which might not be built if not for the tourist interest in the area.

Relawwaationship Between Tourism and Economic Development?

Tourism is an industry that encompasses a wide range of factors, including transportation, restaurants

and other hospitality facilities, local places of attraction, and other related aspects like car rentals. The

best tips for tourism industry development would be those that lead to the integration and greater

cohesiveness between all of the identified factors, while maintaining a healthy balance with the

available resources in terms of natural and human resources. To this end, the tourism industry

development tips include the analysis of the different local tourism environments with the aim of

applying a developmental process that fits the various unique environments. This also involves the

application of more responsible behavior toward the attainment of developmental goals as well as the

enactment of laws and regulations by the various communities aimed at encouraging development.

Since the tourism industry is split along the lines of local, national and international practices, the particular

type of tourism industry development tips will include an analysis of the unique factors in place in the area

under consideration with the aim of finding the exact type of developmental goals to pursue. For instance, the

type of tourism practices in place in an area where the main points of attractions are deserts will differ from the

exact type of practice in coastal areas where the main attractions are related to the water. A place like Egypt

would have different considerations from a place like Alaska or even the Bahamas, and these considerations

will help in the development of tourism. The level of development for the society or community of the local

tourism will also play a key role in the type of tourism industry development for that region. As such, less-

developed countries will have their own peculiar sets of challenges that may differ significantly from that of

more developed countries.

An example of how the tourism industry development in a less-developed country can differ from that in a

more developed country can be seen in the area of challenges that are presented by a lack of adequate

transportation, a lack of stability in the government, and a lack of the technology needed to enhance

communication and other desirable factors. A tourism industry development application that can help build the

industry is the enactment of laws by the various governments and local governments aimed at improving the

tourist trade. Such laws could include the reduction of custom duties that tourists have to pay, or the reduction

of the tax on their purchases.

What Are the Best Tips for Tourism Industry Development?

Between Tourism and Community Development? The connection between

tourism and community development lies in the impact that tourism has on the host community. Any economic

benefits found in tourism make up the most notable association between tourism and community development.

Other effects of tourism may be socio-cultural or environmental.

A significant number of communities depend on tourism as a primary source of income. For these

communities, the income derived from a well-managed tourist trade could translate to an increase in tax

revenue and a general improvement in the economy of the community. Tourism contributes to the growth of a

community because it creates a lot of jobs in the various industries associated with tourism. Some examples

include the hospitality industry, transportation, crafts and arts as well as entertainment. The association

between tourism and community development can be seen in the manner in which an increase in business

opportunities and corresponding employment opportunities contribute to an increase in the earning potential

and standard of living of the members in the community.

Tourism and community development are also linked by the effect that tourism has on the improvement on the

infrastructural framework in the community. A country or community that is a touris t destination will

undertake certain infrastructural development projects that will make the area more attractive to visitors. For

instance, the community will invest in the construction of good roads as well as the establishment of a good

transportation and communication system and other types of projects aimed at enticing more visitors to the

area. Such investments also help enhance and facilitate community development, because the local community

members will benefit from them as well.

Another way in which tourism and community development are associated is through the impact that tourism

has on the environment. For instance, most tourist destinations rely on natural resources as their main tourist

attractions. Such tourist attractions are most often places like waterfalls, unspoiled beachfronts, local flora and

fauna as well as historic sites and monuments. Places that are considered to be essential to the tourist industry

are usually preserved and maintained in a manner that would probably not have been the case if not for their

importance to the community. Most times, serious effort is put into the restoration and protection of these

places, including ecological studies aimed at further development of the community as a whole.