Language comes in many different forms, all used for the same purpose. Whether it’s in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, or any of the many languages in the world, they are all used to communicate with one another. With it becoming easier and easier to communicate with one another all over the world due to globalization, the one main bottleneck for communicating around the world is knowing the languages of the many different countries in the world. Of course, using such things as Google Translate or the fact English is becoming more widespread around the world may make some not care about learning other languages, however, learning the mother language of others around the world allows for deeper conversations in ways many do not typically think about or learn the intricacies of that language. Knowing other languages allows for becoming more knowledgeable about certain areas that speak that language and allowing for creating connections globally, whether through friendships or in a business sense. Learning a second language is an extremely useful action to undertake as it gives added benefits in many different ways.


Learning another language can be very practical knowledge to have as it gives further benefits to those who know many languages. Knowing other languages for people other than the mother language or many can give pay raises for places of employment. Data given by The Economist shows that on average, English speakers who know Spanish get a 1.5% bonus to their paycheck, while knowing French or German gives 2.3% and 3.8% respectively. Over time knowing just one other language can cause a gain of potentially dozens of thousands of dollars to those who took the time to learn another language. With this, it can be said that learning another language can pay for itself. Learning another language can be a job in of itself as with globalization calls for the need of translators. The national average of the pay of a translator in the United States is about $62,000 with earning jobs at Google or even Nintendo as translators. Along with this, as globalization occurs, business opportunities can occur in other countries as resources are found there and regulations can be much more lenient. With knowing the language of the certain area that has ample business opportunity, being able to open shop there would become much easier allowing for a great amount of growth to occur. Learning another language can even be beneficial for one’s health. Studies have shown that those who have learned a second language no matter the age of that person, experience memory improvement, better attention span, and are less likely to develop dementia.


There are many reasons to learn another language, many practical but many also being for plain enjoyment. Learning the intricacies of other languages allows for better understanding of words and sayings in that country, or learning some jokes due to the language, an example being for Spanish as the word for wife, esposa, is the same as the word for handcuffs, esposas fem. There are many other examples like this in many other languages, however they will stay unknown to most as it is only in that certain language. Until someone decides to go out and learn another language, they will never discover other intricacies of languages whether they are very formal intricacies or plain funny joke in the language that many laugh about.


Learning another language can benefit those learning it by being able to experience the culture of that area that speaks the language learned. For example, imagine knowing Italian enough to hold a conversation with someone who speaks fluent Italian, and going to Italy. With this knowledge, it is possible to interact with locals, learn the specifics of that area and experience the country in a more intimate way instead of not knowing the language and having to stick to areas where people know English or relying on a translator. Learning another language also causes conversation starters with others. By knowing another language, others will find it more interesting, causing more interest in the person who knows more than one language, as it is very different and unique especially to someone who only knows their own language.


Even though there are many benefits to learning another language, some do not think it is worth their time to learn another language. To give a certain scenario, due to many around the world learning English as a second language, it can be thought of as becoming the world’s official language. Due to this, many English speakers do not think there is a point to learning another language other than English since it is becoming extremely universal. To counter this idea, even with English becoming very widely known, there are still many who do not know any English, ruling out possible connections to be made with others, along with the benefits of knowing another language financially can becoming useful in a long-term goal. Another argument against learning another language is that it can be very difficult, especially for an adult, to learn another language. There is merit to this argument, as learning another language is a very difficult task, and can take years to fully understand, especially in the years prior to the internet. Before language could only be taught effectively in a classroom setting causing problems when someone has a question about certain specifics in language being taught. However, due to the age of the internet with tools like Rosetta Stone or even Duolingo, learning a language can be something learned in someone’s free time, becoming much easier in today’s age.


Learning another language can be a daunting task, however the benefits can definitely out weight the cons as learning the second language can be both a practical, and fun skill to learn. Learning another language can be beneficial practically due to the financial gain someone can get due to knowing more than one language, however learning another language can be a fun action to do during free time along with having a fun time learning the new language. Studying to learn a second language can be a struggle, but the results at the end are gratifying.

Works Cited
“Translator Annual Salary ($61,543 Avg: Dec 2019).” ZipRecruiter, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Translator-Salary.


Kim, Sean. “5 Foreign Languages That Will Make You The Most Money.” Lifehack, Lifehack, 30 Mar. 2016, https://www.lifehack.org/381547/5-foreign-languages-that-will-make-you-the-most-money.


Marian, Viorica, and Anthony Shook. “The cognitive benefits of being bilingual.” Cerebrum : the Dana forum on brain science vol. 2012 (2012): 13.


Valoes, Leonardo De. “Importance of Language – Why Learning a Second Language Is Important.” Trinity Washington University, 26 Feb. 2014, https://discover.trinitydc.edu/continuing-education/2014/02/26/importance-of-language-why-learning-a-second-language-is-important/.


Lewis, Benny. “12 Reasons Everyone Should Learn Another Language.” Fluent in 3 Months, 17 May 2019, https://www.fluentin3months.com/why-learn-another-language/.


McWhorter, John. “4 reasons to learn a new language.” TED, 28 Oct. 2016, https://youtu.be/VQRjouwKDlU.

Dewi, Nirmala. “Second Language Learning.” Blendspace, TES, https://www.tes.com/lessons/svyMboyug1NmMg/second-language-learning-topic-2