The Benefits of Learning a Second Language

I know that many of you reading this blog may want to learn a language just to pass an exam and reach the next level of your ski instructing qualification. However, there are a number of benefits to learning a language other than simply getting a ‘tick in the box’, so do read on, whether or not you are a ski instructor!

1. Better job prospects and opportunities

Let me start with a skiing example: You want to learn French just to pass the second language exam for ski instructors and gain your ISIA qualification. You study and pass the exam but then you never practice again and never teach skiing in French. A colleague does the same but continues to practice after the exam. They then start teaching lessons in French, therefore getting more hours and pay per month. Who would you rather be?

Studying a language is a continuous experience, so sticking with it and retaining what you learn along the way will help you towards better job prospects and opportunities.

Yes, I have mentioned ski instructing as it is my speciality, however this premise can be applied to any job and any language. Many companies are international and whether it is conversing with colleagues abroad, welcoming international clients to your office, or being seconded to a different country for a few years, learning a second language will be a huge benefit.

2. New friendships and connections

If you’re reading this and you live in a country which has a different first language to your native language then this one is for you!

By learning the local lingo you will open up a whole world of connections, whether that be with your neighbours, your landlord, the baker down the street or the barman at your favourite pub. Making friends in another language will help you learn the language in new ways - local sayings, pronunciation and jokes are things that can only truly be learnt outside the classroom.

You also never know who you might meet and where they are from!

3. Learning a language improves brain function

Think memory, multi-tasking and creativity. Who wouldn’t want to improve all those?

Do you ever walk into the next room and forget what you went in there for? Go to the supermarket and only come back with half of the correct items because you left the list on the kitchen counter? Learning a second language has been proven to improve your memory. Why not take it to another level and write that shopping list in another language next time?

Trying to juggle a million things at once, whether it be at home, at work or simply trying to open your front door whilst on the phone with your hands full? Language learning also improves your ability to multi-task.

Again, let’s put this into a skiing scenario: You’re teaching two children who speak French and Turkish, yet the parents only speak English and Turkish. If your common languages are French and English, then this will mean chopping and changing between languages from sentence to sentence as well as tone and manner in which you are speaking. Add in giving directions and helping put ski boots on - now that’s some multitasking!

4. Travelling

The clichéd benefit of learning a language, but it’s true! Knowing another language is such a great skill when it comes to travelling the world. From thanking your taxi driver to ordering from the restaurant menu, the locals will appreciate it if you can speak their language, even if it’s just a few words. Native English speakers often assume that everyone will speak English, and although it is often the case, it is an impolite assumption which gives us all a bad name! As you are reading my language blog, I hope that you are open to learning a second language if you have not already begun.

5. Learning a language boosts confidence

If you can already say a few words in another language, then you’ll have already experienced the confidence boost you get from using those few words in real life. Saying thank you to the sullen faced Passport Control officers in their native language will give you a smile even if they don’t! It also helps reinforce your language learning. Even if you pronounce a word incorrectly or get the words in a phrase muddled, the fact that you gave it a go will give you the boost to try again. This confidence boost doesn’t just come down to languages either, it can be transferred to all areas of life.

Have I convinced you to learn a second language?

Fill in the contact form and we can discuss your English or French language learning needs.