The Benefits of Learning an Essential Second Language as a Student

Every student has a great collection of books, seminars, and lectures to absorb each semester, so the last thing that most want to hear is that they should be taking on another course. However, living the student life offers the opportune moment to do so – particularly when it comes to the life-changing skill of speaking a second language.

Some will see it as an unnecessary trait, one that people can get by without, which is true. Still, the real upsides to taking on another language are the opportunities that open and the benefits to your own skills outside of just being bilingual.

The University has long shown a commitment to world languages, so here’s what you can gain from learning a new language, as well as the benefits to take advantage of as a student.

Flex your student status before commencing a course

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There are two key benefits to being a student and wanting to learn a language, with the first being that there are specialist, discounted programs set up specifically to get you involved. Not only can you get a discount on lessons, but you’ll get an even greater discount with the more lessons that you take – giving you that additional boost needed to see you through the course and learn the language.

The second benefit that you have of being a student and approaching a language course is that you have time to plot and plan. Many people quickly try to take up a language in response to their job situation or a quickly approaching getaway. As a student, you can analyze your intended career path, see what languages have more value, and then pick. By a general rule of important business languages, Mandarin, Spanish, and then German rank as the top picks.

Bolster your abilities and your career prospects

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The process of learning a new language is very different from any other form of learning, activating and training new regions of your brain that are complementary to other spheres of learning.

It has been demonstrated that becoming bilingual grants you the skills to better keep distractions at bay, while also becoming much more accomplished in multitasking. Furthermore, bilinguals tend to be associated with having superior problem-solving skills, creativity, and reasoning, as well as an improved memory through getting used to pocketing key phrases and terms.

As a student, you’ll know that a lot of the time, money is quite tight, and having to manage your own finances – often for the first time – can be quite a daunting task. Well, those who study a second or even multiple languages have been shown to be more self-aware spenders. This comes from the better comprehension of cash and credit card funds as being equal. All of this can help you a great deal in your studies and with student life, but the greatest benefits come in the job market.

Language skills give you a tremendous competitive edge, with US jobs seeking bilingual people doubling in recent years. As business becomes more globalized, and places like Iowa increase in their population of immigrants, companies will look to those who can help communicate with foreign languages, pay them more money, and even push them towards better jobs based overseas. Being one of the few people in a company who knows a secondary language could also make you more indispensable.

So, if you wish to become even more appealing to future employers and enhance your own academic skills, make the most of student life and take on language lessons.