WHY YOU SHOULD SPEAK A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
What are the benefits of speaking a foreign language? Some are obvious but others are not. Read on to discover why you should speak a foreign language.
Communicating in a different language is a gift. Whether we travel for work or pleasure, or stay in our own country, understanding one another without the barrier of language enhances our lives and that of others.
So what then are the some of the benefits of speaking a foreign language?
1. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
Speaking a foreign language is like a magic key that opens the door to people’s hearts and minds and adds value to your personal and professional life. By speaking a foreign language you almost invariably establish immediate rapport with others who applaud you for trying to speak their language and view you in a different light.
2. BE TREATED WITH RESPECT
By speaking the language of the country in which you live, work or holiday in, you are immediately treated with respect and are able to access a completely different level of that society.
3. IT CAN SAVE LIVES
Let’s not forget – a lack of language and communication skills is one of the greatest contributors to accidents in the workplace. Being able to communicate and assist in times of emergency can make all the difference.
4. CULTURE SHOCK: WHAT CULTURE SHOCK?
When on an international assignment or living in another country, speaking the local language can help to ease the inevitable culture shock enabling you and your family to adjust physically, emotionally and psychologically to a new and sometimes confusing environment more quickly.
When you travel or relocate for work, the ability to communicate and establish relations allow you to hit the ground running, saving time and productivity for yourself and your company
5. HAVE ACCESS TO EVERYTHING
In many countries, for example Japan, the ability to communicate in the local language makes it easier, even possible, to rent suitable apartments or houses otherwise not available to foreign nationals.
6. AVOID ALZHEIMER’S
Research published in Neurology Today shows that being bilingual may prevent the onset of dementia by on average, 4.5 years. Now that’s one of the best reasons to speak a foreign language!
7. DEVELOP YOUR SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL CIRCLES
Particularly when you are away from family and familiar surroundings, loneliness can corrode your social and professional life. Speaking the local language can immeasurably help in meeting people socially. At work, simply being able to listen and understand what the local staff are saying could be of great benefit to you and your organisation.
8. EARN MORE MONEY!
Whether it be Spanish or German, research shows that foreign language speakers earn more more money. While the difference may only be 2-10%, this is not to be sniffed at. Over the course of your career this could add up to several hundred thousand pounds, dollars, euros – or whatever currency you prefer!
9. KEEP SAFE
Speaking a foreign language can help you keep safe when on holiday or working in another country. Knowing what is being said or happening can make a huge difference and help you to make the right decision to seek safety, advice or cover.
10. IT HELPS TO MAKE SENSE OF EVERYTHING
Language is just one tangible manifestation of another culture. It helps, however, enormously to unlock that culture’s history, politics, art, media, etc. Just being able to understand a newspaper, the news on TV or café talk will help you to make sense of that country in which you are living, working or holidaying.
How to speak English better in 10 easy steps
10 celebrities that speak a foreign language
Немає коментарів:
Дописати коментар