Advantages of Being a Bilingual
Plus points of knowing two or more languages.
A bilingual has language proficiency skills in two or more languages. According to research, today more than half of the world's population can speak a language apart from their mother tongue, which makes them multilingual or bilingual.
There are numerous proven benefits to being bilingual:
Helps in enhancing cognitive strength: Being bilingual improves an individual's attention to detail and problem-solving skills. These skills, as a result, stimulate innovative thinking. It helps in recalling the names of individuals.
Gives an academic edge to students: Students who are bilingual are proven to perform better than those who are proficient in just one language. This happens because they have literary benefits over their peers and are more likely to advance and grow.
Elevates understanding of different cultures: Bilingualism assists an individual in discovering new cultures and understanding diverse customs, widening their experience.
Makes the experience of traveling more fun: The more languages you know, the more traveling becomes enjoyable and convenient. The experience of direct communication with locals is more personalized and authentic than using a translator to converse, eliminating the need to use sign language to point to your favorite food on the menu or location on the map.
Enhances the social life: You are likely to make more friends and have a big social circle if you are bilingual. It creates sustainable and meaningful relationships. Bilingualism improves confidence and refines public speaking skills.
Increases your worth in the job market: Bilingualism increases the chances of unlocking wider job opportunities. Today, most companies deal with international clients from across the globe, and they prefer employees who can speak two or more languages.
Overall, it can be said that being bilingual is an everlasting advantage, as it keeps on creating opportunities for an individual. If you cannot speak any other language than your mother tongue, then today is the day you start.
As famously said by Frank Smith:
One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.