Three Benefits of Learning a New Language

Getting into a good college is an important goal for high school students and the best way to make this happen is to have a unique skill on the application that ensures the individual stands apart from everyone else. One of the most beneficial talents to have is the ability to speak more than one language because universities and companies appreciate the time and commitment it takes to accomplish this but it is useful to have when businesses are becoming more global in their operations.

High school student exchange programs are the ideal solution for someone who is looking to get their resume completed ahead of time and wants to ensure that they are fluent and comfortable with the nuances of a language. There are other benefits such as experiencing a new culture, living with a host family for the time away, visiting different sites and making friends that will last in the future. Some programs have a focused intention or purpose, while the longer options, such as a year, allow the student to attend school in the country and get a different perspective about familiar subjects. Students should include this activity on their application as it shows initiative and a willingness to try new things and acquire a broad world-view.

After college, the next step is getting a job and with today’s workforce there is a need for employees that can communicate with different ethnicities and people across the world. Learning a new language as a high school student or as part of one of the gap year programs abroad after graduation ensures the skill is developed early when students are still in the ‘learning’ frame of mind. There is a difference between taking a couple of required language courses in high school and living in the community with a family and utilizing the dialect on a continual basis. A language becomes more natural when the student needs it to talk with friends, make requests and interact with peers at school. A third reason to take on the task of learning a new language is for personal development and cultural enhancement so they can better understand individuals from a different part of the world. There is nothing more exciting than realizing that you can speak to someone in their own language and communicate with an individual that is clear across the globe.

Regardless of the motivation, becoming bi- or multi-lingual is a critical skill that takes time to learn and develop because there are many nuances and words to get familiar with. Students who participate in a foreign exchange program can prepare themselves by taking online classes ahead of their travel date so they have a foundational grasp of the most common terms. Once settled with the host family they can use what they’ve learned and become more fluent and learn true pronunciation and emphasis from individuals live in the country and speak it as their first language. Travel abroad programs take time to get everything in order so parents and students need to start early if they are going to participate while still in high school or right after graduation.

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