10 Good Reasons Why You Should Learn a Foreign Language

1. To increase global understanding - Learning another language gives the learner the ability to step inside the mind and context of that other culture.
2. To improve employment potential - If businesses are to effectively compete in a global economy, they must learn to deal with other cultures on their own terms.
3. To increase native language ability - Research shows that knowledge of other languages boosts students' understanding of languages in general and enables students to use their native language more effectively.
4. To sharpen cognitive and life skills - Because learning a language involves a variety of learning skills, studying a foreign language can enhance one’s ability to learn and function in several other areas.
5. To improve chances of entry into college or graduate school - Today, many colleges and universities require a minimum of two years of high school foreign language instruction for admission.
6. To appreciate international literature, music, and film - Most of the world’s literary and artistic works have been written in languages other than English.
7. To make travel more feasible and enjoyable - Though it’s possible to travel to foreign countries without speaking the native language, your experience will be largely shaped by your ability or inability to see beyond the surface of the culture.
8. To expand study abroad options - Because relatively few people are competent in foreign languages, competition for study abroad programs in English-speaking countries is sometimes intense.
9. To increase understanding of oneself and one’s own culture - Knowing another language and culture affords you the unique opportunity of seeing yourself and your own culture from an outside perspective.
10. To make lifelong friends - Knowing other languages effectively increases the number of people on the globe with whom you can communicate.