Universal Highways

This image provides insight on how innovative ideas form in multiple languages.

Many high school students throughout the nation find it pointless to learn a foreign language at school. Why is it required for high schoolers who already have tight schedules to spend time learning Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, German, American Sign Language (ASL), and more? Well, simply put, the answer is that learning new languages opens up a broad perspective on job opportunities, provides learning advantages, and allows students to become more aware as global citizens. 

To start, there are numerous advantages to being bilingual or even trilingual when applying for a job. One of the reasons for this is that employees who are able to speak multiple languages allow for a broader opportunity to communicate effectively in the global economy where oftentimes, it’s not just English that’s spoken. Companies often look for applicants who are able to build positive relationships with clients and having an employee who is bilingual demonstrates the company’s value and understanding of culture. Not only does being bilingual offer more job opportunities, but it is also important to count on the opportunities for promotions or pay raises. 

On top of the job advantages, learning foreign languages in schools promotes critical and creative thinking skills that can be applied in all scenarios, whether it be academically or in real life. This is because when speaking a native language, one must oftentimes put oneself in perspective of the way the language is spoken, not just a direct word-for-word translation. This way of thinking is often unfamiliar to students.

In addition to the critical thinking skills aligned with learning a new language, being familiar with a foreign language allows students to connect with different parts of the world outside of the United States. It allows for a broad perspective on what life is like in countries such as South America, China, and France. Avery Yang (10) comments, “I love learning Spanish because it allows me to connect with the Spanish culture and somewhat understand the life of a native speaker.”  Another commonly offered course is American Sign Language (ASL) which would provide advantages to being able to communicate with individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf. Chelsey Natividad (10) says, “I think sign language is vital to learn because it brings awareness to those who have certain disabilities and it would be easier to communicate with them.”

To conclude, there are multiple benefits to learning a foreign language in high school. From quick thinking skills to job opportunities, the list is endless. That being said, take all the opportunities to excel in the foreign language you are learning and take advantage of it as much as possible.