I believe that there are numerous tangible benefits of studying a foreign language alongside one’s more conventional studies of core subjects such as Mathematics or Science.

1. Improved memory

One can benefit not only in an academic and intellectual sense but also in a social sense. First, one’s ability to memorise is enhanced after progress is made in learning a language. Thousands of new, unfamiliar words and verb endings need to be learned.

The brain’s ability to process such a vast amount of vocabulary and grammar is exceptional and after having successfully learned this information to the point at which it can be recited, one can find that they are able to process and remember other information. This is especially useful while in education as one’s success during examinations of all subjects often comes down to one’s ability to remember key facts and concepts from revision material.

 

2. Improved communication

Learning a language successfully also requires one to communicate in the target language through listening and speaking it aloud during conversations. Conversing aloud can be daunting but after having successfully conducted enough conversations one is imbued with a real confidence in expressing oneself aloud in front of peers as they lose one’s inhibitions and fear of expressing one’s opinions.

This is especially beneficial as making presentations or speaking in front of audiences is a vital life skill that is often applied in a range of careers. This confidence to express oneself is also beneficial in a social sense as one finds oneself more able to socialise with foreigners and attempt to converse with them having lost one’s inhibitions and embarrassment that people sometimes feel when talking to foreigners in a broken target language. Having gone through the experience of trying to converse in a foreign language one also gains an empathy for foreigners attempting to converse in broken English.

 

3. Improved speed

The basic process of hearing or reading foreign language, translating it rapidly in one’s head before forming an appropriate response is a very beneficial cognitive exercise. Rapid and advance thought process is necessary and the more one studies a foreign language the better developed these skills will become. This ability to make rapid translations and quickly form responses is also especially useful when it comes to taking exams in general.

One cannot afford to take ample time to consider their answers during exams and the ability to respond rapidly in an appropriate way is so important. Running out of time during exams has been an issue for me on numerous occasions and I have noticed that my answers have become more succinct, coherent and rapidly delivered since my improvement when it comes to foreign languages.

Studying a foreign language is also potentially beneficial when it comes to eventual career options. It has often been observed that foreign language proficiency standards in the United Kingdom are fairly low. This makes a person who boasts proficiency in a foreign language more employable and desirable in a country in which finding employment can be challenging.

by Will P, private home tutor