Although I’m a fairly new communication major, I’m already passionate for the subject. My enthusiasm for communication has made me realize why multilingualism is even more important and beneficial than I originally thought. Here at NC State, the selection of languages being taught resembles a buffet. Spanish, Russian, Italian and Chinese are just a few of the options available, and you can even step outside of foreign language to study the literature and other arts of various cultures.
My interest in the field explains why I’m worried about the current state of foreign language education. The Modern Language Association published its findings earlier this year about the current state of languages in schools, and the results were not comforting. They found that between 2013 and 2016, the number of college students enrolled in Foreign Language Studies faced “the second-largest decline in the history of the census.” They also found that some languages, such as German, Russian and ASL, suffered more severe drops than others.
Foreign language is not something that should just be thought of as a gen-ed requirement or, even worse, a hassle. The benefits that learning a foreign language gives, and the amount of dedication and passion that is required, makes the whole process a very constructive and fulfilling one. If they are able to, all college students should absolutely consider foreign language education, even if they aren’t required to do so.
A new language opens new doors. Our world is becoming more and more interconnected, and, with the constant stream of new communication technologies, it is imperative that our ability to share ideas and information clearly and effectively be formidable, so that we actually have a chance in this increasingly competitive and multicultural workforce.
Plus, there are further benefits than just being able to fluently communicate with new groups of people. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages lists a diverse array of scientifically-researched advantages from learning a new language, such as enhanced reading skills, improved memory and problem-solving capabilities, and improvements in communication skills in general, not just in English or the language being learned.
Professor Vladimir Bilenkin, Associate Professor and Section Coordinator of the Russian Studies program here at NC State, had similar views about the cognitive benefits of foreign language education. He found that, even at the age of average college students, the parts of the brain that specialize in abstract thinking are still developing. “Foreign languages obviously include the intensive study of grammar,” said Bilenkin, “and that’s a practice, that’s an activity that stimulates the development of that faculty of your brain.” Foreign languages don’t just teach us new things to think about, but also new ways to think in general.
In addition, speaking from personal experience, it takes a great amount of dedication and effort. Even the easier languages to learn take monumental amounts of commitment and time, and it is understandable why that might intimidate some. Learning a language is such an undertaking that Professor Bilenkin made it very clear that potential students should know what they’re getting themselves into: “They should do it, but only if they are aware of why they are doing this.” It is not a five-minutes-per-day process that will guarantee perfect fluency in three months or less, like the ads would want you to think.
Still, I completely understand why some students may argue that, due to their individual workloads and intended career fields, they don’t have the kind of time or energy to tackle a new language. I’d argue that is probably the hardest part: the first lesson. From there, learning a language is just about putting the puzzle pieces together and discovering what holes are lacking in your skill so you can fill them. And trust me, if you don’t have a great work ethic when you set out to learn a new language, you’ll definitely have developed some semblance of one by the end of it.
I have also heard the argument that students in certain fields will never have opportunities to practice the languages they’ve learned, so their classes will be wasted. However, in this day and age, more and more academic and career fields are becoming full of speakers of different native languages. The Center for Immigration Studies found that 61.8 million Americans primarily speak a language other than English at home. This means that being able to speak these languages, as previously mentioned, will make cooperation in the workplace so much easier.
Foreign language education is absolutely something we NC State students need to be taking advantage of. They are extremely beneficial courses that can improve your performance in all of your classrooms, and beyond. And if you see a 201-level language requirement on your degree audit, count that as a blessing, not a curse.
