Benefits of Language Learning

(The following is an excerpt from an article which appeared in CLEAR News,

Vol. 5, No. 2, Fall 2001, the Newsletter of the Center for Language Education

and Research at the University of Michigan.)

The language abilities of Americans, regardless which language people

speak, truly represent a national resource. Studying another language

benefits both the learner and society in general. Some of these benefits

result from studying any foreign language. For example, knowledge of more

than one language, regardless of what the language is, leads to academic,

cognitive, and cultural benefits. Students who speak more than one language

perform higher than their monolingual counterparts on tests of academic

achievement, cognitive flexibility, and creativity (Moran & Hakuta, 1995;

Bialystok & Hakuta, 1991; Rafferty, 1986; Hakuta & Diaz, 1985; Saxe, 1983;

Ginsburg and McCoy, 1981; Kessler and Quinn, 1980; Masciantonio, 1977;

Hancock and Lipton et al., 1976; Carpenter and Torney, 1974; Lambert and

Tucker, 1972). Additionally, by studying another language, students learn

about other cultures and ways of life, thus expanding their world view.

By acquiring second and foreign languages, students can expect cognitive and

 academic advantages as well as have a larger view of the world. These

advantages are gained through the act of acquiring any foreign language. That

is, it does not matter whether students are learning Spanish or Swahili, all

language learners receive these benefits.

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