Globalization is happening in every industry, and more businesses than ever are operating on an international scale. Many countries have formed partnerships or trade agreements, and many goods and services are imported and exported every year (A.K.A. – teaching abroad).
Learning a new language is a huge benefit when you work with or communicate with people from other places. Taking this extra step will not only benefit you if you’re an avid traveler, but it will also give you an advantage if you’re interested in career prospects abroad!
You have probably heard why some people choose not to learn a new language based on myths and misconceptions. The truth is, proficiency in other languages provides you the opportunity to engage with others in a much more meaningful way than you can if you’re monolingual.
Where do I start learning a new language?
Take your time, and learn at your own pace! Everyone learns differently, and there are a ton of great language learning apps/programs out there that let you go at your own pace.
Learning a new language isn’t always easy, but these apps will keep you on track and give you some structure.
Advantages of learning a foreign language:
1. Strengthened thinking skills
Learning a foreign language improves your thinking skills and strengthens your brain’s natural ability to focus. It helps train your mind to focus on where it needs to be if you’re working on switching between multiple languages.
2. Easier to connect to others
Being bilingual or knowing even more than two languages means that you can communicate with a much larger group of people than you could be being monolingual.
3. Enhances decision-making
Multilingual people tend to have an easier time processing and making decisions. This is partly due to the amount of multi-tasking you have to do internally when speaking different languages – you have to make quick decisions when talking with people.
4. Learning one makes it easier to learn another
Your brain breaks down different languages using muscle memory. Ever heard of metalinguistic awareness? It means that you’re able to consciously reflect on a language to understand it better.
5. Creativity
Multilingual people can be more creative than monolingual people, because knowing more than one language forces you to experiment with different words, sentence structures, etc.
6. It’s becoming essential
Globalization is never-ending, so knowing more than one language sets you up for success if you want to work, travel, or live abroad at any point. Plus, people from other countries will be working, traveling, and living in your home country too, so being able to communicate with them in their language is a unique and helpful skill!
7. Career advancement
Being able to communicate successfully with many different people from a variety of backgrounds is a great skill to put on your resume. Employers like it when employees are bilingual, and this skill can give you a leg up on someone else that’s monolingual trying to get the same job!
8. Improves your first language
Learning a foreign language draws your brain’s focus to the mechanics of language. This means you become a better listener, and your communication skills across every language are improved.
9. Helps with memory
The more you use your brain, the better it functions! Learning a new language improves recall and allows you to broaden your vocabulary.
10. It’s great for traveling
Knowing the language of a place that you’re traveling to is a great way to befriend locals and show respect. Even taking the time to understand some basic words and phrases will greatly impact your trip!
Do I need to learn a new language to teach abroad?
Although learning a new language isn’t necessary to teach abroad, it does provide a lot of insight into the difficulties that your students may face in an ESL classroom. This will help you come up with simplified lesson plans and ideas that get the topic across in a more meaningful way.
Learning the native language will also help you communicate with your local colleagues, including your co-teacher if you have one. Being able to make local friends while teaching abroad will help you alleviate some of the culture shock that you’ll likely be feeling.
Find a great teaching job abroad, and start learning a foreign language today!
