At Argos, we are proud of the many diverse cultures that make up our company. Through our three regional and corporate areas, we have several different languages that our company speaks. Some of us speak Spanish, English, French, and Dutch throughout these regions, only to name a few. So why not try learning one of these languagesIs learning a new language something you’ve always wanted to do?! Some people believe that it’s too late to learn a second language or that it isn’t worth the time or effort; however, there are many benefits. Here are ten reasons why learning a new language can be beneficial is the right choice for you:
- Give Your Brain a Workout
Learning a new language means your brain has to cope with complexity as it makes sense of and absorbs new patterns. As our brains work out the meaning, endeavoring to communicate, we develop critical learning skills such as cognitive thinking and problem-solving. Highly developed critical thinking skills are a significant benefit both personally and professionally.
- It Improves Your Memory
Learning a new language requires a great deal of memorization. The more the brain is used, the better its functions work. A new language requires familiarity with vocabulary and rules and allows your brain to recall and apply this knowledge. This means that multilingual people have more exercised brains and are quicker to remember names, directions, facts, and figures.
- Enhances The Ability To Multi-Task
Multi-tasking is very stressful for those who are not used to it or don’t do it well. According to a Pennsylvania State University study, multilingual people arend proficient at slipping from one language system to another. They are practiced at this very demanding work for the brain. People who have developed the ability to think in different languages and move from one to the other become much better multi-taskers, reducing stress levels.
- Sharpens The Mind
Multilingual people are better at observing their surroundings. They quickly spot anything irrelevant or deceptive. They’re also better at spotting misleading information.
- Keeps The Mind Sharper For Longer
Several studies have been conducted on this topic, and the results are consistent. People who learn a second language have a greater mental capacity. For monolingual adults, the mean age for the first signs of dementia is 71.4. For adults who speak two or more languages, the mean age for those early signs is 75.5. Studies considered factors such as education level, income level, gender, and physical health, but the results were consistent.
- Enhances Decision-Making
Decision-making ability becomes a painless process for multilingual people. Aside from the rules and vocabulary that go with learning a foreign language, there are nuances and regional expressions that a student of language frequently judges for appropriateness and hidden meanings. Multilingual people are more confident in their decision-making choices due to practice, practice, practice!
- The First Language Is Improved
Learning a new language makes you more conscious of the nuts and bolts of your own language. Terms such as vocabulary, grammar, conjugation, comprehension, idioms, and sentence structure become everyday phrases, whereas your own language is probably absorbed more intuitively.
- Increases Networking Skills
Opening up to a culture allows you to be more flexible and appreciative of other people’s opinions and actions. As a result, if you are multilingual, you have the advantage of seeing the world from different viewpoints, enhancing your ability to communicate in today’s globally connected world.
- Provides Better Career Choices
According to Eton Institute’s Language Development in the Workforce survey (September 2014), 89% of our clients stated that multilingual employees add value to the workforce, and 88% said that recruiting team members with language skills is essential to their organization. Multilingual ability is a competitive edge in today’s world.
- Allows people to be better connected
Learning a new language helps to break down regional and language borders. This especially applies in Argos. By learning a second language, you can better connect and form bonds with team members from all over the world. It allows you to not think of Argos as three different regions that are entirely separate from each other but rather as one large family that is dedicated to building dreams and one that is united by culture
So start your language adventure today! There multiple tools and apps that will help you gradually learn a new language over time. One such app is Duolingo. It is free to download on the Apple and Google Play Stores!
Rao, K., & Rao, K. (2020, July 02). Top 10 benefits of learning a foreign language. Retrieved February 24, 2021, from https://etoninstitute.com/blog/top-10-benefits-of-learning-a-foreign-language
