Perhaps it was your most dreaded class in high school. Or maybe it is the unfulfilled part of your degree evaluation that you have been putting off for a few semesters. Either way, there is a lot to be said about the foreign language requirement that nearly all universities still incorporate into their curriculum. However, it seems as though we are entering an age of STEM supremacy and many institutes of higher education are beginning to question the value of holistic education and the need for humanities courses.
Foreign language departments seem to be facing competition with other subjects that could be considered more “critical” for students’ future success. This competition has led to budget cuts and declining enrollment in upper-division foreign language courses in many universities across the country. These courses are conducted fully in the target language and are focused more specifically on cultural learning, going beyond grammar practice. However, there is still a pressing need for foreign language education. Language courses should continue to be required for all students, regardless of major. Although it is difficult to achieve 100% fluency from a few semesters, the process of learning a new language does wonders for our cognitive abilities, enhances our communication skills and builds cross-cultural bridges.
There is a widely spread notion that foreign language courses do not need to be required in higher education. The “opportunity cost” narrative is common among the cases against foreign language requirements. This argument makes the point that required foreign language courses take up valuable spots that could be dedicated to other studies. Learning a new language requires intense practice, focus, and motivation. For many students whose interests lie elsewhere, it is difficult to find the time and willingness to invest in language courses when they could be focusing on other subjects. Understandably, this is a logical point of view as we all have those core classes that we’re just trying to pass. But, there are actually many reasons why the focus and discipline required by foreign language courses can actually help students with their other interests.
Studies have shown that learning a new language is incredibly beneficial for our brains. According to a meta-analysis of studies conducted by the Faculty of Brain Sciences at University College London, 90% of these studies showed that bilingual students and students actively learning a new language performed better across a range of academic subjects, as opposed to those who did not study a second language. Even though language learning may seem pointless for students in pursuit of non-language related degrees, it is still a valuable exercise for the brain.
In addition to its mental benefits, bilingualism improves our ability to communicate. This seems obvious because the process of learning a new language is essentially learning how to communicate in a different way. However, learning a second language also improves your ability to communicate in your own language. As you become more proficient in the vocabulary, grammar and sentence structures of a second language, you become more aware of what you already know in your first language. If you have ever practiced a second language, especially one with Latin roots, you have likely learned about “cognates.” Cognates are words that sound similar or have similar roots. For example, the word for “language” in Spanish is “idioma.” While these two words do not necessarily sound the same, “idioma” is quite similar to “idiom.” This is demonstrative of how learning a new language builds upon what you already know. In this way, your communication skills improve overall as you begin to listen more consciously and speak more intentionally.
While language learning has numerous benefits for the brain and for communication skills, it also holds a greater impact that transcends beyond the classroom. Learning a new language creates global awareness and builds cross-cultural bridges. Human connection is enhanced when you are able to share language with another person. Language is one of the many ways that humans are able to communicate our interpretations of the world. When one person can share that with another, a mutual understanding is built. Language is part of what makes us human because it helps us build community and connections with one another. When we are able to communicate in multiple languages, we broaden our reach of human connection.
“Learning a new language is a key skill if the educational goal is to ‘change the world from here.’ Acquiring fluency in another language allows students the unique opportunity to expand their understanding of the world, and [depending on the language] multiple cultures and ways of life. A broader and more sophisticated worldview through languages is a fantastic ticket to an insider’s perspective,” Professor Ana Urrutia-Jordana said, a Spanish professor in the USF languages department. “Customs, beliefs and traditions come alive for those willing to invest the time to learn. With a second or even third language, the world surrounding us becomes smaller in all the right ways, more approachable, more personal and welcoming.”
Language learning is a form of education that enriches our experiences. College’s goal to prepare students for the real world is not complete without the rewarding experience of practicing a second language. Foreign language requirements are absolutely essential to a well-rounded education, but also to our ability to empathize with and understand one another. In learning a new language, students become equipped with the tools and skills needed to be a global citizen.
