Why it's beneficial to learn a new language

Following the announcement that Nottingham University is suspending Modern Languages courses, here are several reasons why it's beneficial to learn a new language.

I first started learning French when I was four years old. I then started learning Spanish at 11 in high school.

I studied both French and Spanish at GCSE level, and wanted to continue both at A-Level. Unfortunately, I was only allowed to study one language in sixth form, which I chose to be Spanish.

My sister has studied French and Spanish at university, as well as some Italian and Portuguese, and has an A-Level in Latin. To this day, we still enjoy learning modern foreign languages and communicating in Spanish.

It's safe to say that seeing the news about the University of Nottingham suspending language courses was a shock and a disappointment.

Now, I understand that languages aren't always the most popular subject in education. Most people might think: Why learn another language when most people can speak English?

Below are some reasons why I, and others I know, feel that languages should be studied and the benefits of being able to speak more than just your mother tongue.

Understanding other cultures

There are around 7000 languages in the world. Approximately 2000 languages are spoken in Asia. The EU has 24 working languages, and as of 2023, only 19% of the global population speaks English.

With more and more people immigrating from their own countries to others, the number of languages spoken in one area is increasing. As is the number of different cultures.

Therefore, by learning another language, you'll be increasing your knowledge and understanding of other cultures and ways of life.

Language is an expression of culture. Language courses involve learning about different countries and their cultures, including things such as traditions, holidays, politics and history.

By learning a language and being able to speak it will help you learn new ways of life, which in turn aids humans in becoming more adaptable and diverse through accessing other communities.

Improves communication skills

Whilst there are around 7000 languages in the world, there are around 370 alphabets and 293 writing systems. The Latin script is the most commonly used.

If you learn another language, you will be improving your communication skills in various ways. You'll be able to communicate with other people from different countries; you can access their culture and customs and hold conversations with them.

But being bilingual also helps your communication skills in your mother tongue.

You'll improve your listening skills, writing skills and speaking skills. On a language course, you learn how to construct sentences, what the different tenses are (there's more than just past, present and future), and how to correctly use grammar.

Learning a language will also give you a better understanding of your own language, especially if it is derived from Latin and you're learning a Romance language (French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian).

Flexibility of travelling abroad

Having the ability to speak another language and understand when someone speaks it to you can be hugely beneficial, especially if you like travelling.

Nowadays, lots of people travel abroad for holidays, work and for fresh starts in life. Speaking another language can help with all three of these and make it easier for you to enjoy your time abroad.

If you love going on holiday to foreign countries, being able to speak part of their language will help while there. You can order food and drink in their language, you'll be able to ask for directions if you need them, and you'll be able to understand different signs and notices.

Speaking another language also allows you to move abroad if you fancy, whether that's for work or for retirement, perhaps. It'll give you confidence living in another country and being able to understand the life around you.

Plus, language courses tend to include a year abroad, either working or studying, which gives you the chance to immerse yourself in a new culture.

Improves cognitive skills

Being able to speak another language improves your cognitive skills. Studies show it increases your memory, concentration and problem-solving.

It also helps you think creatively because when learning a language, you're effectively generating new pathways in your brain, increasing brain power.

As a modern languages student, your course will help you think critically and structurally, improving your intellectual skills as well as your decision-making.

Learning a language boosts your mental ability in many ways, which are only beneficial, especially for the reason below.

Benefits neurological health

Studies have shown that whilst learning a language improves cognitive skills, such as memory, attention and problem-solving, it also improves your neurological health.

Having the ability to speak another language actually delays the onset of ageing and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's and Dementia. Findings have shown that being bilingual means you retain your mental abilities for far longer than those who are monolingual.

So, it can only be a good thing to start learning or studying a language.

Opens more career prospects

Whilst a lot of the world speaks English, it can always help to be able to speak and understand another language, especially when it comes to career prospects.

Having this ability could make you more attractive to employers. If a company works on an international scale, having someone who can communicate with others in a different language is an advantage.

Learning a language can also open new doors for you in terms of career prospects because it could allow you to consider a different career path or a new job that you may not have thought of before.

Why it's beneficial to learn a new language

The above reasons are only a few as to why it's beneficial to learn a language. There are so many more, and as someone who loves languages, I'm a huge advocate for getting people to learn them.

Yes, Artificial Intelligence is growing and becoming more commonly used. However, using AI for translation and interpreting is not the best route forward because it will not always be correct, and a machine cannot understand humans or emotions.

The University of Nottingham hasn't explained its full reasoning behind its decision, but I hope that the news of them suspending Modern Language courses will inspire people to continue, or start, learning another language.

Students from UoN have created a petition to stop the removal of Modern Languages courses, which you can sign here: https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-removal-of-modern-languages-courses-at-the-university-of-nottingham

Plus, it's just really cool to be able to go travelling and confidently speak the country's language.

Until next time...