The Power of Bilingual Speakers

Introduction:

The majority of schools around the globe contain classes that specialize in something different. We are so used to seeing and learning things in our own language, with commonalities with our peers, ideas that are simple are coherent for everyone to understand. English class, for example, is something we have been growing up taking, and at times can feel common sense. But what about a Spanish class? What about languages or different dialects that you haven’t been exposed to before?

Learning in School:

School days are fixed and are regulated by curricula set by districts or states. Many of them require the core principle subjects such as a primary language, mathematics, history, and science. There are classes we can choose, such as an arts class or a physical education class. However, there is often a type of class that is often neglected substantially by teenagers and students around the globe: secondary language. Every country has its own primary and secondary languages. The United States, for example, has English as its core language to teach to all of its citizens, and Spanish is considered a secondary language. Around 13% of citizens speak Spanish because of migration and the proximity it shares with Mexico. 

The main problem is the lack of consistent practice. Although secondary language programs are implemented in schools, it is often a byproduct of an accessory class or a class to fill credits rather than a core, meaningful class. A language is meant to be learned for several years and even decades, but most schools only require two to three years of these classes, and since students aren’t exposed to that specific language at all other than school, it creates years of improper learning. You need to be exposed to languages for years, as mentioned previously, but schools expose you to a language for around an hour a day without proper speaking or training. They throw several hundred vocabulary terms into a textbook and assign students to read them daily without actually understanding anything because they are not actually applying that knowledge. Languages require speaking; there is no other way to efficiently learn a language without it. 

Outside of School Learning:

The student must learn a language outside of school because schools do not teach you how to learn a language effectively. Although you may retain some phrases and core words, the actual application is slightly more nuanced. Speakers have different talking speeds, accents, and styles they might project. You need to read in Spanish, you will need to speak in Spanish, and most importantly, you will need to hear and respond in Spanish. You can try to,

• Listen to a Spanish Podcast

• Change your phone settings to Spanish

• Speak to yourself in Spanish.

It doesn’t need to be Spanish, but something you feel will benefit your learning.

Loss of Language

 Sadly, though, modern society has built principles on a global lingua franca and the assimilation of native groups or minorities to fit into the global media. Distinct and diverse groups around the globe are slowly declining due to irrelevance and limited numbers of speakers or followers. Take tribal languages, for instance, often cherished for centuries and with vast histories, which are mediated by contemporary beliefs and the pressure to learn a more prominent language. While it may seem beneficial to learn a common language to speak with different nations across the globe, the purpose and reasoning behind ethnic groups slowly start to lose their value because of the connectedness. Learning a new language allows us to dive into and learn about a culture that isn’t ours, but when languages are broken down, or a lingua franca is involved, it’s hard to share our unique skills.

The Importance of Bilingual Speakers:

Being able to speak more than one language opens up many doors. Firstly, it allows you to socialize and bond with various groups. You can talk and have different conversations with people you may not have understood before. You can experience their humor and jokes while simultaneously sharing your experiences. Secondly, it allows you to obtain more opportunities. Companies can distribute you into different locations, you may be able to create new business ideas, and pitch to a larger audience. Finally, it challenges you out of your comfort zone. Arguably, the most important trait, learning a language pushes you to new levels, challenging yourself through constant review, training, and years of consistent effort.

Conclusion:

Secondary languages are neglected in society, and are an afterthought as an activity to learn. However, its sheer value and significance it imposes on everyone allows it to be one of the most essential skills for anyone to learn. The next time you feel like learning something new, try committing to a language for a year and track your progress.