What Are The Benefits Of Being Bilingual

There are a number of religions and cultures in this world and as many number of languages spoken by the people residing in it. Beside their mother tongue, people today prefer to learn other languages also, especially foreign languages. We live in a global melting pot. It was never so vital to learn a second, or even a third language, as it is today. This is the reason why, nowadays, several institutes and schools are offering courses in foreign language, which are often spoken throughout the world. Many colleges and universities have included some foreign language courses in their regular academic syllabus too. While learning another language, the most important thing is to understand its basic grammar and an efficient knowledge of its vocabulary.

 

Being bilingual offers greater sensitivity to language, more flexibility in thinking and a better ear for listening. It also improves a person’s understanding for the native language. It opens the door to other cultures. Moreover, knowledge of other languages increases the career opportunities, offering several job options. Whether it’s about increasing our knowledge for personal reasons, or to add languages as a skill on our resume, there are many benefits that can come from knowing more than one language. They include improvement in linguistic and meta-linguistic abilities as well as betterment of cognitive flexibility, such as divergent thinking, concept formation, verbal abilities and general reasoning. To explore these benefits in detail, go through the lines that follow.

One can have a number of advantages by leaning another language, especially in the context of cognitive benefits, curriculum advantages, cultural benefits, employment advantages, communication advantages and tolerance of other languages and cultures.

 

A bilingual person develops a creative thinking and an ability to think more flexibly. Such people usually have two or more words for each idea and object. They have specific advantages in thinking. Bilinguals are more sensitive to the needs of the listeners, as compared to monolingual people. Being bilingual has a positive effect on intellectual growth of a person as well.

 

Language builds a bond between people. And when a person speaks in your language, you tend to develop a soft corner for him. This, in turn increases the sense of self-esteem. Being bilingual creates a powerful link in different people from different countries.

 

Bilingual people have a better thinking capability. Being versed with two or more languages gives them the benefit of better understanding. Bilinguals tend to show higher performance in examinations and tests as well. They find it quite easy to learn and speak even more languages.

 

Communication Advantages:

Bilinguals enjoy reading and writing in different languages. They can understand and appreciate literatures in various languages. It gives a deeper knowledge of different ideas and traditions. Bilingual people don’t face difficulties in communication, while in a foreign country.

 

Bilingualism offers an access and exposure to different cultures. Knowledge of different languages offers an advantage of learning history, folk stories, music, literature, etc of different cultures. Due to a wider cultural experience, there is a greater tolerance of differences in creeds and customs.

 

Being bilingual adds to the expansion of one’s knowledge and understanding. It works as a wonder in a resume. A bilingual person is always given a first priority on a monolingual person. It offers a wider choice of jobs in various fields. Bilinguals can get prosperous career opportunities in the retail, transport, tourism, administration, secretarial work, public relations, marketing and sales, banking and accountancy, translation, law and teaching sectors.