Daisy Vasquez

Professor Joanie Foster

Comp II

November 2017

Why Should We?

We live in a free country, better known as the United States of America. America

was founded by immigrants trying to better themselves and live more prosperous lives.

After the United State became an independent country 1776, people traveled from across

the world. This country as a whole, had different cultures, language, skin color,

ethnicity, background, and they are all mix together; which is why the name The

Melting Pot branded this country. With the population increase, English became the

most spoken language, and the language that common wealthy people speak. Research

showed that United State doesnt have an official language. I believe that people should

learn a second language, because learning another language keeps the brain from ageing

fast. There is always more knowledge to be learn. Learning a second language will

definitely set an individual apart from the rest of the crowd especially in the work force.

I also believe that learning a foreign language creates more positive attitudes,

understanding and less prejudice toward people who are different from the typical

American.

I believe, that as human beings, we should try to always better ourselves and try

to achieve great knowledge. Learning a foreign language will keep our brain active and

stop from aging faster, which is a great healthy choose. One should learn a second

language at a young age, because the benefit is having better innate ability but also its

not impossible for adult. According to the American Council of Teaching Foreign
Language a study was performed on sixty-seven (67) sixth grade students to prove that

learning a foreign language improves cognitive skills, which are skills that allow an

individual to be able to process thoughts and solve problems (par 1). Twenty-five of the

students were the control group, receiving an extra thirty-minutes of reading and the

rest of them received thirty-minutes of French lessons and when the cognitive test was

administered the children who took the foreign language lessons scored higher on the

task. Andrew Cohen stated that it allows the brain to pick up a language later in life and

retain the material. It sharpens one's observation skill and comprehension skills. The

functionality of your brain is challenged, boosting one's ability to negotiate in a more

upper level for problem solving. This become handy in the real word. Physiological

studies have found out that speaking two or more languages is a great asset to the

cognitive process. That the brain of bilingual individuals operate way differently from

single minded language speakers, which then offers different of several mental benefits

(Merritt par. 1). Since the brain is a mental muscle that can be exercised, learning a

second language can strengthen an individual intellectually. The brain can adhere

multitasking skills, resulting in a less chance of contracting Alzheimer's and Dementia.

Expanding the vocabulary will also aid in improving one's memory. Being bilingual

enhances the brain in several ways that are beneficial to the individual.

Furthermore, learning a second language matter, because you are in college

trying to become a certified professional in your choice of study. Learning a second

language makes you marketable in the career pool. There are multiple people applying

for the same position; which it creates a more competitive aroma in society. For one to

develop into a more marketable person, motivation to learn another language with more

possibility to get hire and making more money. Corporation are looking for leaders,
learning a foreign language improves in decision making skills. According to a study

done in the University of Chicago, bilinguals tend to make wiser rational and financial

decision. People that speak in a language other than their native tongue tend to

eliminate getting too caught in the here and now to make decision which is beneficial

for the rest of their lives. An individual that is able to communicate with other

corporation in their native language is bring a great deal of service to the corporation in

which he/ she is working for (Colon 9). Businesses are more inclined to hire someone

that speaks more than one language over a monolingual. In my personal experience,

when I applied for a job, I was hired on the spot, for the simple reason that I am

bilingual. I have been a great asset for this company. I worked at a Pharmacy, as a clerk,

where I was answering phones calls in English and in Spanish and I did a lot of

translation. At another job, I worked in a formal dress shop, where I work as a sale

associate. Hispanic families would come in and as soon as they knew I spoke Spanish

felt more comfortable. People tend to approach someone from their culture knowing

that there will not be language barrier.

Indeed, I believe that learning a foreign language creates more of a positive

attitude and less prejudice toward people who are different. Being able to translate and

assist people that speak another language, you are breaking what society has built up as

diversity and making it a more harmony environment. One is more open to establish

deep connection with cross cultural friendships. The personal experience one gets into

their friends culture make for a stronger. Language goes more than speaking, you get to

merge in the culture too. So, my question to you how determined are you better

yourself?
 Learning a second language isnt just about being able to communicate with

someone who doesnt know English, its about the great benefit you gain from learning.

Benefits that will great influence you in the enlightenment of culture, health, salary,

being unique, etc. Yes, learning a second language can be challenging, but whats life

without a little challenge that can give you prosperity.

 Work Cited

ACTFL. References for Cognitive Question | American Council on the Teaching of Foreign

Languages,www.actfl.org/advocacy/what-the-research-shows/references-

cognitive#improves_cognitive.

Colon, Mark. Yale Law & Policy Review. vol. 20 1, Yale Law & Policy Review, 2002,

http://www.jstor.org/stable/41308521.

Merritt, Anne. Why learn a foreign language? Benefits of bilingualism. The Telegraph,

Telegraph Media Group, 19 June 2013,

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/10126883/Why-learn-a-foreign-

language-Benefits-of-bilingualism.html.

Woodruff, Mandi. Here's Why Bilingual People Make Better Financial Choices. Business

Insider, Business Insider, 25 Apr. 2012, www.businessinsider.com/bilingual-people-

make-better-financial-choices-2012-4.