From the time we are small we are told how important a second language is in our lives. Those of us who live in a region where two languages coexist can count ourselves lucky to speak two languages from childhood. But that is not today’s question: today we want to focus on the benefits of knowing more than two languages.
They say that from the third language you learn onwards, picking up new languages becomes much easier. But there is more to it than that: learning a third or fourth language means a great deal more.
Greater mental agility:
When someone is learning a new language, their intelligence improves significantly; in fact, it has been shown that a person who speaks more than one language performs better in maths, in reading and, of course, in vocabulary. Why does this happen? Because it is possible to increase our brain’s cognitive abilities.
Greater creativity:
People who know two or more languages are also more creative. When you learn a language, you do not just study vocabulary, grammar or syntax. You learn a different way of seeing the world. With its own specific expressions and idioms. That is why a literal translation of some texts is often so difficult: you need a very deep knowledge of that language to do it without losing the essence.
Greater effectiveness in solving our problems:
When someone needs to switch languages, to jump from one to another, they are indirectly exercising their mind (mental agility) and training it to handle several things at once successfully. And this is precisely another reason why learning a new language is easier for someone who already speaks two or three.
It improves your mother tongue:
It is fascinating to see how learning a second or third language makes us more aware of our own mother tongue and therefore gives us more polished, clearer and more concise writing and speech.
The advantages of being bilingual, trilingual or multilingual:
Job opportunities: These days this is a leading advantage, one that sets you apart from the rest. When you go to a job interview it is far more likely that the person with more languages gets hired (assuming the same level of qualifications, of course). So for that reason alone it is already a very good advantage.
Travelling with ease: When we travel abroad, it is a pleasure not to need interpreters, dictionaries or Google Translate. Mastering two or three languages gives you a huge advantage that will let you enjoy your trip more without worrying about the language.
It opens your mind: People say that well-travelled people are more open-minded. What do they mean by that? Knowing a language is not limited solely and exclusively to knowing its grammar, vocabulary or syntax. Learning a language also means learning the culture and customs of the people of that country, their society, their traditions. That is why, as you learn more languages, you open your mind, because even without leaving home you are seeing cultures and customs different from your own.
How many languages do you speak? Had you ever stopped to think how beneficial it is to learn two or more languages and the advantages they bring you? Get in touch with us for more information about language courses in Valencia, as well as intensive courses without leaving the city. Follow us on social media and keep up with all our news. You will find us on facebook, instagram and Linkedin.