Linguistics in the News- Why Learn Another Language?

The reasons are numerous and backed by scads of research. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages highlights several of these reasons and studies.  In summary, students of foreign or additional languages perform better in school, have increased cognitive abilities, and develop positive attitudes towards others.

There has long been a senseless debate in the Unites States about bilingual versus English-only policies*. From a linguistic, educational, and developmental standpoint, monolingualism only shortchanges students.

The public media seem to be recognizing this fact.

Last month, the New York Times published an article about The Benefits of Bilingualism. The article details the cognitive advantages of speaking another language listing improved problem-solving skills,  increased ability to manage multiple tasks, heightened spatial awareness, and delayed onset of dementia.

Today, http://arstechnica.com/ published an article about how Thinking in foreign language makes decisions more rational. The article explains how several studies demonstrate that when choices were presented in a foreign language, participants were less likely to let irrational emotions interfere. Those observed ended up deliberating more with an outcome of overall better decisions.  To sum, "The researchers believe a second language provides a useful cognitive distance from automatic processes, promoting analytical thought and reducing unthinking, emotional reaction."

The data assures it: go ahead and start learning today.

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*I'd like to note that English-only policies outside of the educational context a) violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (according to the Supreme Court, language-based discrimination equates with national origin discrimination) and b) erroneously assumes that immigrants are unwilling to learn English. According to this policy brief, only 5% of adult immigrants in the US do not speak English or do not speak English well meaning that over 95% of adult immigrants in the US speak English to some degree ranging from some to very well.