7 compelling reasons for you to definitely learn a foreign language

I grew up in a "multi-lingual" home and lived in almost a childhood of a foreign age - a child that people often call "Third Culture Kid" (TCK - children who live most of their time a country, a culture other than the parent's original country). When I grew up, I noticed that people often told each other that I became more interesting just because I could easily switch between the two languages ​​when talking.

- The proportion of university graduates of TCK is 4 times higher than that of normal children, 81% vs 21%.

- The rate of master's degree in TCK is 8 times higher than that of normal children, 40% vs 5%.

- TCK often tends to own or do health, education and expert work.

- TCK does not like to work in state agencies or does not accept where parents place their children.

- 90% of TCK feel different from their peers.

- 90% of TCK are willing to absorb new culture and people, new things than ordinary people.

- 80% of TCK feel comfortable and easy to communicate with any other person.

- The divorce rate between TCK is less than that of normal people, however, TCK often married late.

- Teenage boys are more mature than normal children, but before 20 years of age, their personality is younger.

US President Barrack Obama is a typical TCK!

Recently, I have discovered many scientific explanations that create you seem to be smarter, more creative or more attractive when you speak more than one language. Here are a few interesting reasons.

1. Develop better memory

Researchers have noticed many positive effects of multiple language speaking for the brain.First of all , bilingualism will help us process information from our surroundings more effectively, meaning your ability to receive and learn faster. Next , children who speak a second language have short-term memory - Working memory is better than typical in comparison with children who speak only one language.

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What about adults, don't worry! Although short-term memory is developed in early life and into adulthood, mastering a new language seems more difficult but you can still get many positive benefits from the learning process.

2. Improve brain capacity

Proficiency in more than one language enhances brain function through challenging the brain to work with a variety of language systems, thus also contributing to the "Negotiation meaning" ability (understand In other words, the process of "negotiating meaning", in particular, people try to understand each other's message clearly and ask for clarification, using other words to describe it. and confirm what you think you understand is that all the strategies of the "negotiation" process in many jobs require another problem.

From a scientific point of view, switching between different languages ​​stimulates the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex - the part of the brain responsible for problem solving, "multitasking" and focusing on things. Important while filtering out irrelevant information.

Multilingual people can also focus better on the people around them and analyze it. This skill comes from being able to identify what language is being spoken, so one can quickly switch between multiple languages ​​while communicating.

Knowing two languages ​​also makes you more creative because you have more ability to understand issues such as syntax, metaphor, and collection patterns - things that contribute to bright skills. create and allow us to "think out of the box" in the face of complex information. In general, knowing multiple languages ​​will allow you to unravel the areas of brain responsible for creativity that are not used unlike those who only speak their mother tongue.

Another study from the National Academy of Sciences also found that "multi-lingual" children from the very beginning gained more cognitive benefits. Scientists examined babies under 7 months of age by using audio and changing views to analyze their cognitive abilities in comparison to "monolingual" children (only one can speak). language).

Children will hear an Audio Cue (sound effect is played to "wake up" the listener) before watching a puppet appear on the screen - considered as a gift to them (used for the purpose of clicking likes sight). This action is repeated so the child can predict the next gift. Gifts are also displayed on opposite screens after the audio is played. This experimental result demonstrates that "multi-lingual" children are able to adapt more quickly to screens and also react faster.

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Another group of adults has also been tested to learn Spanish with subtitles in Spanish and English. Participants who speak a language other than these two languages ​​show that they choose and memorize each sentence faster in comparison with those who know only one language (Spanish or English). This once again proves the positive impact of "multi-lingual" in terms of memory and cognitive abilities in general.

3. Limit your ability to develop Alzheimer's disease and dementia

According to Brain Gold, a neurologist at Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington, knowing two languages ​​can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

When doing a test for people who are fluent in multilingual, researchers found that they did better than jobs that required sorting of colors and shapes in comparison with people. "monolingual". In addition, when monitoring the processes that occur in the brain using a scanner, they also find that the brain of a person who knows only one language must work harder to complete a job in when the "multilingual" brain works very well.

Maintaining the strength of your brain when you are older will help you protect your body against dementia due to Alzheimer's and other dementia syndromes.

4. Develop relationships with others better

Apart from the obvious fact that being able to convert multiple languages ​​will be easier in building relationships with people around the world and attracting others, there is another great impact behind it. not easy to detect.

In one of her reports, Susan Ervin-Tripp from the University of California notes that "When we are in situations that require language change, a very strong sense of transformation of value and emotions also appear, some "multilingual" people show that they have two personalities . " Indeed, a large number of multilingual speakers acknowledge this.

Mostly, it's because of the fact that multilingualism affects the way we think, from choosing words to describe the world around to being influenced by different cultures. we join. This is a great thing because knowing how to speak many languages ​​will improve your ability to understand others, become more empathetic and communicate better. Therefore, it contributes to significantly improve our relationship with others.

Language is a great tool to help us better understand other people's morals, beliefs, passions and anguish.

5. Better career prospects

Having more than one language listed on the job application will give you a chance to be interviewed larger than other candidates. According to a recent survey conducted in the US, "multilingual" people tend to earn at least $ 7,000 per year in comparison with their friends with the same number of years of work experience but only one language.

The reason is simple: There are not many "multilingual" people, so the chosen person will have a higher "value".

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In Canada (a multilingual country), many people speak two official languages: English and French. They earn 7-8% more than "monolingual" people.

6. Become more attractive

For people who speak many languages ​​when communicating, they always have something special.

Recent surveys also show that "multilingual" people are more attractive than others. More than 79% of respondents across the globe agree that someone who speaks a second language immediately will make others notice. However, it was only a momentary moment. Only a few languages ​​can create that magical effect. French, Italian, Spanish and English do not create much surprise for the opposite and Korean is the language at the bottom of the list of the most "sexy" languages.

7. You become an authentic "Traveler"

One of the biggest differences between "Traveler" and "Tourist" is the ability to quickly connect with locals and gain a deeper understanding of the culture of indigenous residents. . Meanwhile, travelers simply travel, enjoy the scenery and enjoy the feeling of relaxation.

Knowing the local language, at least a few words will open you up with more doors to explore the world and connect with people in completely different ways.

So why wait any longer, plan and embark on the journey to conquer one more language!