As a new school year approaches, students are choosing their courses for next year, trying to balance their interests with requirements for A-G courses and one component of this is a “language other than English”. The A-G requirements state that two years of a language are required, but three years are recommended. Many students groan at having to start or continue this requirement, but even if it is not your favorite class, many benefits come with learning a second language! These are applicable in many aspects of daily life, not just speaking to and interacting with people who use that language.

Bilingual people tend to have better memory and can remember shopping lists, names, and directions better than monolinguals. To learn another language, it takes devoted practice at remembering vocabulary and grammar and spelling rules. Learning another language actually can make your brain grow, and who does not want that?

Unbelievably, learning a second language can help with your math skills. Learning and speaking a new language helps your brain learn to focus and solve problems, and that has huge improvements on your math performance. Therefore, by paying attention in your language class, you can raise your grade in both that class and maybe even math!

In addition, learning another language can even delay dementia symptoms by up to 5 years. These consistent results have more of a difference than our latest drugs can do for a person. That, in itself, is incredible.

If you are not convinced yet, consider that learning another language can improve your first language because you start to understand more about formulating and structuring sentences. This will reflect on your speaking and writing skills, which will definitely improve and help you, be aware of your speech and professional in your writing. This is a benefit you definitely will notice and will carry through your life.

The mental benefits of learning a new language are incredible. In addition to these mental changes, you can explore new cultures and meet new people if you learn a new language. Traveling is also made easier if you travel to some place where you know the native language. So while you are sitting through your fourth period Spanish or 3rd period French, even if it is not your favorite class, try to pay attention so you can also take advantage of these benefits.