Learning a new language can offer a multitude of benefits and many transferable skills for students. From enhanced communication to boosting brain health, knowing more than one language is beyond impactful: it has the power to shape society into a more inclusive and interconnected community.
Dedication and persistence are needed when learning a new language, especially when it differs significantly from your native tongue. To effectively work on a new language, it’s crucial to establish a well-organised study plan and commit to practising daily for 1-2 hours.
Other language learning strategies include students immersing themselves in common vocabulary, engaging with language-related media, and surrounding themselves with other speakers. These practices can accelerate their educational journey at a quicker rate. Consistent exposure and practice are key to mastering a new language and building fluency over time.
The study of language is an exciting and often ongoing practice. There are many benefits of learning a second language such as brain stimulation, memory, cultural appreciation, and more global opportunities.
Language and the brain are tied together in many ways. Studies have shown that learning a language can boost brain health and cognitive function. It exercises the brain, improves memory, and enhances problem-solving problem skills. Learning a whole new set of language rules, including grammar and syntax, develops new pathways in the brain and stimulates growth.
By keeping the brain active, it helps people of all ages to focus their attention for a sustained period of time. Languages have been proven to delay age-related cognitive declines such as Alzheimer’s as well.
Understanding a new language improves memory throughout the brain along with the ability to retain information. When the brain recalls vocabulary words and formulates them into sentences, it strengthens memory, creativity, and connection.
The more one listens, speaks, reads, or writes in a different language, the more they will improve in their ability to communicate. Learning a second language makes it easier to remember any subsequent languages too, so once you have two languages mastered, adding a third or fourth, comes much easier.
Since language is deeply tied to culture, students who learn a second language gain insights into new customs, traditions, history, and values they may not have known about before. Examining art, literature, and athletics from a brand new perspective broadens horizons and fosters cross-cultural understanding.
Being a global citizen who understands multiple languages helps to expand international perspectives and leads to more inclusive communities worldwide.
Increased cultural awareness opens up more job opportunities and helps individuals to possess greater intellectual flexibility to deal with ambiguity. Having the ability to communicate in more than one language can help set you apart from other candidates in a job process and make it easier to negotiate for a more desirable salary.
Travel can be approached with more confidence if you understand multiple languages because it makes it easier to communicate with others and not feel isolated with a language barrier. If you’d like to work for an international business abroad, it offers you the chance to pursue a position in a different country.
Children form neural connections at a rapid pace so studying languages at a consistent pace will create the biggest impact on their future. It is easier to absorb a language at a younger age than when you are an adult, which is why we prioritise language learning as part of our curriculum at St Francis Xavier College, beginning immediately in Year 7. Our students choose either Japanese or Spanish to study, which they continue into Year 8. From there, students can continue the study of language at Years 9 and 10, and at the VCE level.
To deepen their understanding of language and also allow for engagement and participation, we also run a variety of cultural events throughout the year, with the largest and most exciting being Language Week.
Carving out a learning path
There are a variety of unique and beneficial links between language and study skills for students to explore. At St Francis Xavier College, we are proud to support our students with language learning as a key part of their journey.