The Benefits From Learning a Second Language

From the beginning of time, humans have always longed for understanding and knowledge of one another. Most humans by nature are social, and therefore the thirst for knowledge and understanding will probably never quench.

I think there are many skills that one should master, but I think a secondary language is a skill that most people do not have but could benefit from mastering.

Learning a second language is beneficial because it allows humans to reach others in verbal communication easier. As one gets older, learning a secondary language becomes increasingly difficult, so the younger one is when learning other languages, the better.

Presently, countries such as China, Pakistan, Singapore, and India teach English as their second language. This may look like an advantage to English speaking people but this puts us at an exceptional disadvantage. The people that mastered the English language as a second language also have their own language as a base of communication. Should the Chinese, Pakistani, Indian or those from Singapore want to communicate in their own language, we will not be able to understand what they are saying, thus putting the non-speaker at a disadvantage.

Another reason it is beneficial to master other languages is that the world is fast becoming a smaller place; not necessarily in size but that, different cultures are fast becoming one big society. Our neighbor living down the street may have come from a country 5,000 miles away, and speak very little English. I think it would be nice to be able to communicate with them in their native tongue if the need arises and they speak very little English.