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Daliyah Dawes

Scott Harowitz

English 1120-019

21 April 2024

Exploring the Cognitive and Cultural Benefits of Learning a Foreign language

Language is efficient for one to express the way they feel emotionally and physically,

furthermore expresses a wide range of ideas and opinions which allows anyone to convey

information. On the other hand, learning a foreign language includes features such as

communication towards nonnative speakers of that specific language, thus learning more has

benefits including increased confidence, memory skills, creativity, cultural appropriation, mental

flexibility, and overall, a greater understanding through the unique process of diverse minds.

Learning different foreign languages maximizes overall growth within the mind and gives us

direction in exploring foreign countries that enhance experiences by enabling deeper interaction

with locals. It enhances the way we think but also changes our perspective. By putting this into

consideration, we should allow the diverse ways we are able to communicate and express

comprehension.

Mastering a foreign language requires patience and dedication, although a way for some

to want to learn personally, it’s mostly the number 1 reason for someone to start. Other reasons

would include a more in-depth reason. Thus, learning a completely different language could

be difficult but effective. In some ways, it could help one comprehend the shape of communities,

cultures, or society. Such may result in career opportunities, as companies or industries are

interested in individuals who are bilingual or multilingual and can translate. Additionally, it can
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facilitate communication with individuals from different cultures, which would strengthen

the communication and empathy between separate personalities.

According to the 2023 article written by Alex Counts, he was able to express the way he

sees the world through his eyes while also knowing that it’s more efficient for your mind to

hyper-fixate on one thing rather than “Losing your mind”, which he includes language as an

example. According to the book he wrote, being able to the focus on of learning something new

would benefit your mind with the effectiveness of being engaged. Going more into the

psychological aspect of it, language learning keeps your brain healthy, with consistent.

Furthermore, claims have been made that learning a new language is an efficient way of

decreasing signs of dementia. This brings us to the Eton Institute, an article about the top 10

benefits of learning a foreign language. Though dementia is more common than we think,

“Several studies have been conducted on this topic, and the results are consistent. Language

learning keeps your brain healthy. For monolingual adults, the mean age for the first signs of

dementia is 71.4. For adults who speak two or more languages, the mean age for those first signs

is 75.5. Studies considered factors such as education level, income level, gender, and physical

health, but the results were consistent”, as said by the Institute in Dubai. Overall, the health of

our mind is more precious than we think, it’s the way we make decisions, choose the way we act

or what we say, and what shapes us into who we are.

It is common for individuals who attend college are required to enroll in at least one

foreign language in their time at college. Due to that, it’s because it may benefit personal skills in

your career, or the social skills within the college, in meeting new people every day. Some

benefits are the quality of education, and the exposure to a whole new world most people are not
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used to. Additionally, the study of a foreign language has attributes to a chosen career, some

examples can be an environment where there is a wide range of different diversity and cultures

such as a registered nurse, hospital environment, study abroad students, flight attendants, tour

guides, and law enforcement officers. According to the Ithaca College located in New York,

learning and studying are effective for gradates to increase their communication skills and the

appreciation of other subjects such as art, film, food, science, and philosophy. Lastly, “The study

of foreign language is a distinct advantage in the professional world. Job candidates who are

proficient in more than one language are extremely valuable and have a competitive edge in the

U.S. economy, where a large proportion of jobs involve work with immigrants and/or are the

result of trade with foreign countries”, as said in the article. There is a lot to acknowledge and

explore within other cultures. It opens a whole new door into unique alterations, that can come

with studying a new language.

Abilities to learn a new language include wellness of the mind, acknowledgment of

diverse cultures, exposure to global society, and appreciation. Additionally, those are agreeable

abilities when it comes to studying a new language, but what about the time and effort that goes

into it? like everything new, it’s difficult to have the dedication, persistence, and patience to

learn something new, it’s usually doesn’t happen overnight. Out of all the reasons someone

wants to learn a new language it’s usually depends on an individual’s goal or personal use.

Challenges may occur when it comes to studying an entirely new language. As stated by the

American Academy of Arts and Science, in an article written by Kathleen Stein-Smith, colleges

are losing their programs that involve the study of a new language, which will ultimately be the

cause for people to drop their major that entirely includes foreign languages. “Or students simply

may not see the potential career benefits of studying a foreign”, as said from Kathleen. There are
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a lot of challenges that are brought up when it comes to languages, not enough people are as

passionate. Although, motivation is key to studying a new language, whether it’s for personal use

or the desire to learn, learning a new language could benefit you in several different ways while

accepting the challenge.

Overall learning something completely new is challenging but not impossible. Studying a

Foreign language has numerous benefits beyond just communication skills. Such benefits could

be rewarding to one’s mind and personality. It’s good to take into consideration that there is a lot

that could be done when you put your mind to it, and along the way, discipline can be formed.

Short-term and long-term health can be gained along the way, and as a reward such benefits can

be put to good use. Also having your mind in a good state, would benefit from the way you

think, or the way you make decisions. It opens new doors we are not very used to or comfortable

with, but it will be of convivence to us. Enriching the personal and professional aspects of it, an

opportunity for travel and career advancement opens. Despite the challenges, the rewards make

the journey worthwhile.

Reflection:
The purpose for writing this research paper was to educate my audience of the importance on
how diverse cultures and people can be, it was also to explain the unique attributes many
cultures have. I also wanted to Inform my audience of the benefits that come with Studying a
new language whether is it has its pros and cons. I also wanted to point out that learning more
than one language can help us understand ourselves more with the values of culture. Also, as a
society its best to acknowledge that it’s there is more than what meets the eye, and it’s good for
us to get out of our comfort zone to explore more vast areas. I honestly hope I was able to
achieve my purpose and point what I was trying to say, I hope I was clear enough. Before writing
and researching my topic I didn’t know much about the different types of languages and
cultures, I only know so much about foreign languages and studying them, because I personally
want to study and learn more than one language, which will honestly benefit me in my career.
While writing I learned a lot more than I knew about Languages, and how now today, in modern
society it is becoming very hard to find people to teach a course of another foreign language,
because now people hardly want to learn a new language, due to it be challenging and not
having the motivation or confidence. Although I would in fact be confident in writing on this
topic again because I did most of my time with research, but also because I personally think I’m
passionate about learning multiple languages. I hope there isn’t any way I need to go into more
detail about my paper, I hope it isn’t confusing, I don’t think there is any terminology I would
have to go into. I’m hoping, I made my point and that the point is very clear, I included as much
information as I needed. I did in fact learn more about my topic in an academic way, I overall
learned that it would help my mental capacity and improve my memory, as I would continue to
study. The difference between writing for a university standard and other writing I have done,
would be that to have an overall good paper, sometimes you just need to sit down and take
your time, and not rush, so that the writing can be the best of your ability. Rather than just
getting an assignment done just to get it done. I would want my audience and instructor to
know that there is more to the world, and don’t let your opportunities fly by, its best to take
advantage of the resources that come to you, and that this was the most writing I’ve ever
done!!!.
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Counts, Alex. Is an author, consultant to nonprofit organization, “The Health Benefits of

Learning Foreign Languages. Published, July 22, 2023.

https://medium.com/@alexcounts09/the-health-benefits-of-learning-foreign-languages-

3ceb15ba9af7

Eton Institute, Languages and testing, Institute in Dubai “Top 10 Benefits of Learning a Foreign

Language”. Published May 21. https://www.etoninstitute.com/blog/top-10-benefits-of-

learning-a-foreign-language

Ithaca College, located in Ithaca New York. “Why You Should Study a Foreign Language”.

From the Ithaca college webpage. https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-humanities-

and-sciences/world-languages-literatures-and-cultures/why-you-should-study-foreign-

language

Stein-Smith, Kathleen, University librarian, Dickinson University. “Foreign Language classes

becoming more scarce”. Published Feb 6, 2019. https://theconversation.com/foreign-

language-classes-becoming-more-scarce-102235

The university of Texas, Permian Basin. “4 challenges of Learning a Second Language”. Also,

from the UTPB webpage. https://online.utpb.edu/about-us/articles/education/4-

challenges-of-learning-a-second-language/