Description: German, English and History tutor Lillith shares her thoughts on why it is valuable to study a foreign language at University.
Difficulty and Decrease
Over the past few years, there has been a decrease in students studying foreign languages at UK schools and universities. A number of reasons have been cited for this decline, from the difficulty of language exams to the assumption that everyone across the world speaks English anyway. Having decided to start studying German from scratch during my first year of university I definitely understand the reluctance. Learning a new language can be a really daunting idea but I would argue that studying a foreign language is an excellent choice anyway.
The Advantages
One of the most obvious advantages of studying a foreign language is the ability to interact with a whole new group of people. Even with high numbers of English speakers around the world, not everyone you meet will speak English. Even if they do, speaking someone’s native language can open up opportunities for increased nuances and depth in conversations.
There are some concepts and ideas that just don’t exist in English. Learning a new language can give you access to all of these ideas. Of course, there’s always the employability argument too.
In an increasingly globalised and multicultural world, employers are increasingly looking for candidates who speak different languages. Even in careers where foreign language skills aren’t essential. There are bound to be opportunities to show off these skills if you have them.
Different Methods of Learning
None of this is to say that studying a foreign language at university is easy. With its challenges come many of its strengths. I quickly learnt that my typical approach to studying- using flashcards, YouTube videos, textbooks, was not going to cut it. Of course, the techniques I’d developed to learn information quickly have been helpful in memorising vocabulary and understanding grammar. However, there’s another vital step when learning a language, immersion.
During my first year, I realised that if I was serious about learning German, I would have to spend time doing things I’d never really considered studying. For example, listening to music, watching German-language television and films and most importantly, talking to native speakers. Aside from being a pretty fun way to learn, I’ve actually gained a lot from this other than improved language skills. When interacting with native speakers I’ve been able to discuss topics I probably never would have thought about otherwise. Such as potential drawbacks of the German school system or the differences between the original and translation of Harry Potter.
All of these things have helped expose me to a new culture and have given me the opportunity to leave the bubble I grew up in. I discovered more about other people’s lives.
Practise Makes Perfect
I have also gained a lot of self-confidence. A few years ago I could not even count to 10 German. Now I have complex conversations about global warming or the latest election results in Germany. Given how difficult I found it at first, my ability to pick up something completely foreign has really surprised me. It has also helped me to realise how capable I actually am. I have not just learnt about my language abilities, I have discovered how important it is to step outside my comfort zone.
At first, the concept of introducing myself in a language other than English was terrifying. Now I willingly seek out native speakers to befriend and speak German with. Of course, I make plenty of mistakes. Making them have helped to change my mindset. Rather than an embarrassing sign of failure, I now see mistakes as an opportunity to learn.
Whether you have been speaking multiple languages all your life or have studied a second language for a few years at school, I really believe that everyone has something to gain from studying a language at university. University is a unique opportunity to test your own boundaries and discover how capable you really are, which makes it the perfect time to learn a foreign language.
By tutor Lillith. Contact Us.