Speaking more than one language has many obvious advantages, including greater ease and comfort while traveling, and improved ability to communicate worldwide. Speaking multiple languages is often an asset in the workplace, and this ability is increasingly sought after by hiring personnel.

Learning another language also brings additional benefits you should consider. While the positive impact of learning a second language is especially evident in children, the benefits pertain to people at any age. These positives include better cognitive abilities and academic achievement with enhanced problem solving, creativity and memory. Social and emotional intelligence also expand with improved ability to navigate dynamic group settings.

Bilingualism promotes abstract thought and creativity; it supports an innate ability to pull out a problem’s essence to comprehend it fundamentally. Bilingualism helps people to filter through irrelevant information and limiting biases with the ability to approach a situation in multiple ways.

The ability to switch between languages contributes to flexible thinking and improved problem solving abilities. Studies show bilingual students score higher on standardized tests and outperform monolingual classmates—with significantly higher math and language arts abilities.

Learning a second language early is helpful to open up the ability to learn additional languages with greater ease. Moreover, students gain improved sense of achievement through learning a second language, even students that underperform in other disciplines. Multilingual children also develop good listening skills and great ability to connect with others. These attributes contribute to better outcomes for long-term success.

Speaking a second language also makes a positive financial impact. Bilingual people earn an average of $7,000 more per year than people who speak a single language. Bilingual people are less limited when it comes to networking in the global community, gathering information and understanding cultural nuances.

Sources:

https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/cultural-linguistic/fcp/docs/benefits-of-being-bilingual.pdf

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/The-Advantages-of-Being-Bilingual/

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/Curriculum/Curriculum_Root_Web_Folder/BenefitsofSecondLanguage.pdf

https://www2.ed.gov/documents/early-learning/talk-read-sing/bilingual-en.pdf