Liam Cerfoglio

English is the most spoken language with about 1.52 billion speakers worldwide according to the International Center for Language Studies. It is easy to fall under the assumption that it is not necessary to learn a second language because of the prevalence of English, and never try to learn another after finishing the two years of foreign language required to graduate. But, being bilingual has great benefits including improved brain functioning, lower risk of mental deterioration, and having a wider range of people to forge connections with.
One main benefit is that learning new information tends to be easier for people that know another language. A Swedish study found that a part of the brain, the hippocampus, grows after learning a new language. Because of this growth, bilingual people can retain information better than monolingual people. It’s similar to how bilingual people are quicker to learn a third language than monolingual people are to learn a second, as determined by Northwestern University.
Knowing a different language also forces people to think creatively because of different grammar systems and ways to use vocabulary. Translations are not always one-to-one, so expressing ideas in a certain language requires an exact, clear understanding of the message to convey. When asking bilingual people to switch between their two languages, researchers from Northwestern University have found that they have increased levels of attention and focus.
Cognitive health in old age can also be maintained for a longer duration if one knows a second language. According to UCLA Health, the onset of dementia is four years later than in monolingual people, which remains the case even if the second language was learned later in life.
Finally, having a new way to communicate also opens interaction with new people. The language barrier is no longer a barrier, and it’s a great opportunity to learn about other cultures or create relationships, whether they are platonic, romantic, or professional. Being bilingual is an extraordinary ability that more people should strive to have.