February 2019 Student Spotlight: Ahmed Amin
Ahmed Amin is an ESOL student from Somalia. Ahmed has lived in the United States for 3 years with his family. He just finished his English language (ESOL) courses last semester and is currently studying liberal arts and sciences at MCC. Ahmed has studied at both the Downtown and Brighton campuses. In this story, Ahmed writes about the benefits of speaking another language.
Second Language, Second Soul
Imagine you finally found your dream job, applied for it, and prepared to start. Yet, you are being told that in order to work there, you need to speak a language that you have never spoken before. How would you feel? Language is central to all our lives. We use language to communicate, to express our feelings, and even to learn. Therefore, learning a second language is not just learning different words, but it is experiencing a different vision of life. People should learn or speak a second language for many reasons.
The first reason why people should learn another language is that it opens up job opportunities. Many people are tired of losing their dream jobs just because they can’t speak a language other than their native language. Businesses are developing, and more international companies are looking forward to stretching their strategies worldwide (Jones). Thus, companies can’t do that without the help of people who speak foreign languages. According to an article in Forbes magazine, “Whether your goal is to remain in your current position, switch jobs or launch an encore, acquiring a second language could set you apart from the sea of qualified” (Jones). This shows that speaking a foreign language can make you unique from the other people who are seeking to get the same position when applying for a job. Therefore, if you are not willing to speak or study a foreign language, you may be missing the chance of getting hired in your dream job.
Another reason for learning another language is that it makes traveling easier. Most people struggle when they travel to different countries mostly because their language is not spoken in the other country. For instance, if they get lost, they would not be able to figure out what to say to solve their problem and find their locations since it would be hard for them to communicate. Additionally, some countries are not as friendly to visitors as others, so some people can easily have a false perspective about you and your culture if you can’t utter a word to express yourself because you don’t know the language. For that reason, it’s necessary for you to study a second language.
The last reason for studying a second language is that it builds connections between other cultures. Many people enjoy being with friends who do not resemble them like people who don’t speak the same language, or have the same culture. Moreover, an article from the University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg argues that, without understanding the language, it’s hard for people to understand the culture (Wits Language School). As people try to get along with people from other countries, they should try to understand and learn more about their culture. However, in order for them to start the connection, they should start learning the language. As an immigrant, I can personally say that learning the language when coming to a new country will certainly improve your understanding of the culture and the traditions there.
On the other hand, opponents might argue that it’s not necessary for them to learn or study a second language. They might believe that it may not have any impact or improvement on their life or career. However, they are wrong. Learning a new language has more advantages than disadvantages. Foreign language study grows your brain. According to Kendall, multiple studies have shown the benefits of learning a foreign language. One study demonstrated that second language learner are more likely to have a bigger brain, be more creative, and even better problem solvers (Kendall). This indicates that learning a second language makes you a better learner and has lots of advantages.
Clearly, there are many beneficial reasons for learning or speaking another language. You can’t learn all of the languages, but people should at least learn one of the common languages around the world. It will have a great impact on their life. There is a saying, “To have another language is to possess a second soul.” So, learn a new language.
Works Cited
Jones, Clair. “Why Learning a Language Could Save Your Career.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 23 Oct. 2014, www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2014/10/23/why-learning-a-language-could-save-your-career/#410d41817967.
“Is Culture Important in Language Learning?” Wits Language School, www.witslanguageschool.com/NewsRoom/ArticleView/tabid/180/ArticleId/355/Is-culture-important-in-language-learning.aspx.
“Why Is It Important to Learn a Foreign Language?” GoAbroad.com, www.goabroad.com/articles/language-study-abroad/why-is-it-important-to-learn-a-foreign-language.
ESOL Voices is a collection of stories written by ESOL students at Monroe Community College. This publication highlights our MCC students who come from all over the world. Look for a new story each month. We hope you enjoy our students’ stories as much as we do.
— Katie Leite & Pamela Fornieri, ESOL Program, February 2019