Colleges and Universities across the nation have adopted some kind language requirement to their core curriculum and to some this seems to be a cumbersome task. A lot of people, some bilingual themselves, take for granted the awesome benefits of being bilingual versus being monolingual. Speaking two languages can help not only with cross cultural communication, but more and more employers take this into consideration when looking for new hire. They value these employees more and they tend to actually earn more money throughout their careers, according to Forbes.com.
If money isn't enough of an incentive, studies show that being either bilingual or multilingual have many cognitive benefits. Forbesalso cites that children that grow up in bilingual households tend to get more brain exercise and have an easier time resolving internal conflicts. The US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health also states that bilingual people are overall better at conflict management, processing information, general multitasking, and have a better time building their vocabulary (aka, better memory). The benefits to being bilingual/multilingual are immediate, so the sooner that a language is acquired, the better.
From personal experience I know that being bilingual in a diverse town is super beneficial, especially when working retail. I communicate better with customers and their shopping experience becomes a lot more personable--meaning the store makes more money and my boss is extra happy. Even though it's pretty common to be bilingual in Spanish and English, I've come to realize it's all too easy for me to pick up other languages that are similar to Spanish. I've made a couple of international friends and it's not too hard to understand what my French friends post on their Snapchats or what is being said when I have customers that speak Portuguese come into the store struggling with a return.
Whatever you may think about speaking multiple languages, it's important to keep in mind that world is becoming more and more interconnected everyday--through the internet, social media and technology as a whole. Staying behind and believing that only one language is important is pretty close-minded and the world will go on without you! Reap these awesome benefits! Being multilingual can only make you a better person--either through travel, cross cultural encounters, or just basic human interaction. It’s important! After an extra language is under your belt then picking up others is a little easier. Get to know yourself and the world around you--what's out there could surprise you.
To learn more on some of the benefits of being multilingual, please click here and here!
