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College might be a perfect time to learn a new language. It helps personal development, increases future career prospects, and boosts cognitive functions. If you want to start learning a second language but do not know which one to choose or have some doubts, this guide will help you out.
Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language
If you are a native English speaker, you might think that there is no reason to learn anything else. English is spoken all over the world and is a lingua franca for the majority of industries.
Plus, students might be concerned about taking one more course as the college curriculum is pretty dense. There are a lot of lectures, seminars, projects, and assignments. If you add a part-time job to the mix, there is barely any free time left.
College life is notorious for all-nighters and endless essays. However, there is always a way to make things easier on oneself. Students in need might opt for academic paper help by WritePaper or help with other college assignments. It is a professional academic writing platform that assists with all types of college papers, from essays to case studies.
You get to collaborate with experts and receive advice and excellent results. Experienced writers do writing, editing, and proofreading on the shortest notice. So students that struggle with the number of papers and deadlines or do not feel confident in their skills can always get help.
It means that there are no real reasons to not go for a second language, especially if you consider all the benefits:
- Bilingualism improves cognitive function and increases decision-making skills;
- It makes your resume stand out and increases future job opportunities;
- For some jobs, this skill is a must and offers a better salary;
- It gives more travel opportunities (for instance, study abroad programs);
- It improves memory, concentration, and mental agility;
- Your brain will process information more efficiently.
According to the study provided by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 90% of employers said that they depend on employees that know a second language.
So whether you are pursuing a tech major or humanities, this is a valuable skill to have that will serve you for the rest of your life.
How to Choose a Second Language
It is important to remember that there is no right or wrong here. Every language is valuable and offers benefits, even if it is not in the top 5 of wide-spoken ones.
When you evaluate opportunities, make a decision based on several factors:
- Why do you want to do it? If the main reason is a future career, research what is the most demanded one in the field. If you are doing it for personal development or fun, think of the culture you want to explore.
- How much effort will it take? Not all languages are equal. Some might be easier to learn for English speakers, and others will take significantly more time.
- Do you plan to learn another one in the future? If the answer is yes, you can choose the one from a language family. For example, if you know Spanish, it will be easier to learn French, Portuguese, or Italian.
One can also go for aesthetic reasons. Maybe you’ve always loved how Japanese sounds or were amazed by French. If you do not like the language, it will be much harder to find the inner motivation to continue. So it is important to feel interested in it.
And consider travel and study opportunities as well. Look into the exchange programs your college offers and the places you can go.
The Most Useful Languages to Learn in College
Based on popularity and demand, some options are more useful. Here are the top choices to think about.
1. Spanish
Not surprisingly, it is one of the most widespread languages in the world (it is native to over 436 million people globally). It is also the second most widely spoken one in the US. This makes it incredibly useful for many industries in the country. Also, it is quite popular in many countries in Latin America.
As for domestic jobs that will benefit from Spanish skills, they are:
- Healthcare
- Customer services
- Law
- Finance
- Sales
- Marketing
It is also one of the easiest ones to learn if you are a native English speaker – there are a lot of similarities.
2. Chinese (Mandarin)
This is a major opportunity for people interested in business and governmental positions. China is the second largest economy in the world. And it has all the chances to take first place in a decade. No wonder Bloomberg claims that it is the most useful language for business. However, it might be quite difficult to learn as it is very different from English. So you’ll need to put more time into it.
Chinese is hardest language of the world and majors tend to earn more than other language majors, according to PayScale data. The industries that value Mandarin knowledge are
- Business
- International Relations
- Marketing
- Transportation
- Government
3. Japanese
Although it is not as widespread as Spanish or Chinese (still, there are 130 million native Japanese speakers globally), Japanese also delivers significant opportunities. It is useful for those interested in EdTech, the automotive industry, and technology in general. Japan is a home country for huge tech giants and innovative solutions.
It is also a great global economy, which means wide opportunities for international cooperation. A lot of Japanese companies have their offices and branches in the US. It will take more time to learn as it is very different from English, but it also gives access to a rich and exciting culture.
Industries where Japanese comes in handy are:
- Technology
- Science
- Automotive
- Gaming
- Electronics
4. Arabic
Because of geopolitical changes and rising economies, Arabic has acquired a lot of attention recently. It was named the 5th most potent language by the World Economic Forum in 2016, which is not surprising. It is also very widely spoken in the world; there are about 300 million native speakers.
Many Middle Eastern and North African countries have Arabic as their official language. It is highly valued in governmental jobs, international relations, and business.
You might opt for Arabic if you plan on working in
- Energy Industry
- National Security
- Government
- Finance
- Trade
5. French
Before English, French was a lingua franca. That’s why it is also widely spoken around the globe. There are more than 300 million native speakers. It is still official for many international organizations like the UN, Red Cross, Amnesty International, and NATO.
And France is one of the strong global economies. It is relatively easy for English speakers. It is also part of the Romance family, which means you’ll be able to easily learn Italian or Spanish after.
You might need French in such spheres as:
- Education
- Tourism
- Energy
- Pharmaceuticals
In Summary
Learning a second language is always a plus. It increases career opportunities and ensures personal and cognitive development. Whether you want to do it for fun or for a future career, you will not regret developing such a valuable skill
Ihsan Sharif is a talented writer known for his engaging articles on linguistic topics. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for language, Ihsan brings complex linguistic concepts to life, making them accessible and interesting to a wide audience.
