Lipscomb University

Department of Foreign Languages
 

Why Study Language:

 

Because English is the most frequently used language in the world, you might think that speaking English is sufficient. However, learning another language is a resource that will help you develop personally and professionally.  Here are some facts:

  • Chinese is the language spoken by the greatest number of people, more than 1 billion. 
  •  Spanish has 35 million speakers in the United States alone, and that number is still growing.
  • German is spoken by 90 million people in Europe.
  • French is spoken in 55 countries across five continents with more than 200 million speakers. It is also the third most common language on the internet. 
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 Top 10 Reasons to Learn Language:

 


 

1. Find a job: Speaking a foreign language is a great plus you can put on your resume for a job application. Proficiency in more than one language is an important tool to find your dream job.
2. Increase study abroad opportunities: Whether you want to pursue your graduate studies or an internship abroad, speaking another language can open doors and opportunities to new and exciting experiences.
3. Improve Communication skills: Learning a foreign language improves your knowledge of English (or your native language) and improves your ability to communicate and express yourself, a skill employers value highly.
4. Appreciate International Cultures (movies, music, art…): You will be able to understand and appreciate movies, film, music and art from other cultures more deeply.
5. Understand how other people think: you will be aware of how people from other countries live and will begin to understand that what is familiar to you is not the only way to do something (you'll also learn why this is good!) 
6. Build Friendships: People that you meet overseas might become your best friends.
7. Learn about Cultures: Studying and experiencing other cultures develops your ability to appreciate difference and  to develop empathy and adaptability.
8. Travel: Have you ever been abroad knowing only how to say “Hi” and “Thank you”? Well those days are over if you learn a foreign language.
9. Challenge yourself: Learning a language is a great way to challenge yourself to learn something new.
10.Be smarter!: People who speak more than one language are just smarter!  Many research studies show that certain areas of the brain are more developed and function more efficiently in people who are bilingual.

 

 

Videos to help you think about it:

 



 

 

 

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