I think most of us can agree, having to take that required foreign language class in high school was a dark time. It brought down your GPA. You swear most of your teachers were certified insane. There was always that one kid who literally failed out. For lack of a better word, high school foreign language class sucked. And most of your friends stopped taking it as soon as it was no longer required.
So, why would anyone in their right mind continue to study a second language in college? Here’s why:
It’s not all grammar and vocabulary.
High school is a lot of memorizing and regurgitating information. They taught us to test. Basic grammar and vocab were pretty much all you learned in Spanish/French/whatever class. But the thing is, once you have all that boring stuff down, there’s so much more to foreign languages and cultures.
Professors are cooler than HS teachers.
They really are. Plus, you get to choose professors, as opposed to being placed in a class like you were in high school. Professors are typically more engaged, enthusiastic and honest. They get that you’re there because you want to be, and they want to be there, too. Maybe it’s because we’re all adults now, but as a general rule of thumb, professors make learning a lot more interesting.
Culture is actually interesting.
Once you have the whole “language” thing down (AKA you passed all the technical courses), electives based on culture become an option. Finally, the good stuff. If you’re interested in travel, the world, or even just how other people live, in general, these courses are fascinating. Culture may very well be the reason why people study foreign languages.
It’s becoming more and more relevant.
Believe it or not, foreign languages are actually important to be aware of. The world does not revolve around the English language. In just about any career field you may choose, you will probably run into a language barrier at some point. Not to mention the fact that you will be a more marketable person in general while job searching.
You can travel without looking like a tourist.
If you are looking to travel at some point in your life, you are naturally going to be exposed to foreign cultures. It would be ignorant to expect that wherever you go, there will be people there who understand English. Studying a second language will shape you into a more open-minded, appreciative global citizen.
It genuinely makes you a smarter person.
Being bilingual is a powerful thing. It works your brain in ways that can develop you entirely. It improves your listening skills and your memory. It opens up your world. You will have a distinct advantage over everyone else if you have studied a second language. And, you just won’t regret it.
