July 25, 2008

Language is always good, and more language is always better.

There are a number of languages spoken throughout the world. Every person knows at least one language, which he learns in his childhood that is routinely used for speaking and writing. However, many people are fond of learning two or more languages. There are numerous benefits of being bilingual such as an improvement in linguistic abilities as well as betterment of cognitive flexibility such as divergent thinking, concept formation, verbal abilities and general reasoning.

Many people have the capacity to learn a second language. It may be another language in the same country or totally different language from another country. Nowadays, institutes and schools offering foreign language courses are popping up throughout the world. Many colleges and universities have included some foreign language courses in their regular academic syllabus too. While learning another language, you need to understand its basic grammar and improve vocabulary. Being bilingual offers greater sensitivity to language, more flexibility in thinking and a better ear for listening. It also improves a person's understanding for the native language. It opens the door to other cultures. Moreover, knowledge of other languages increases the career opportunities, offering several job options.

The bilingual people can have some specific advantages in thinking. They have two or more words for each idea and object. Hence, a bilingual person can develop a creative thinking and an ability to think more flexibly. The bilinguals are aware about which language should be spoken with which person in a particular situation. Therefore, they are more sensitive to the needs of the listener, than the monolingual people. Being bilingual has a positive effect on intellectual growth. It enhances and enriches a person's mental development. The bilinguals are better at IQ tests as compared to the monolinguals. What is more, being bilingual may keep your mind young. Juggling two languages as a child can slow mental decline.

The bilinguals are able to switch between different languages and talk to different people in various languages. It increases a sense of self-esteem. Being bilingual creates a powerful link in different people from different countries.

A bilingual education offers better curriculum results. The bilinguals tend to show a higher performance in examinations and tests. It is associated with thinking benefits of bilingualism. The bilinguals find it quite easy to learn and speak three, four or more languages.

The bilinguals enjoy reading and writing in different languages. They can understand and appreciate literatures in various languages. It gives a deeper knowledge of different ideas and traditions. It helps improve the ways of thinking and behaving. The pleasures of reading poetry, novels and magazines as well as the enjoyment of writing to family and friends are doubled for bilinguals. They do not face difficulties in communication while in a foreign country.

Bilingualism offers an access and exposure to different cultures. Knowledge of different languages offers a treasure of traditional and contemporary sayings, idioms, history and folk stories, music, literature and poetry in different cultures. Due to a wider cultural experience, there is a greater tolerance of differences in creeds and customs.

In today's global economy, the ability to communicate is key, and as more companies expand internationally, the ability to communicate in another language has become a significant advantage in the workforce. Being bilingual offers potential employment benefits. It offers a wider choice of jobs in various fields.