International Languages Overview  |  Learning Another Language

Learning another language benefits students in the following ways:

Intellectual Potential

• Students fluent in two languages score higher in both verbal and non-verbal intelligence.
• Students studying a second language are better in divergent thinking tasks and in memory ability and attention span.

Scholastic Achievement

• Second language students have higher test scores in reading, language and mathematics.

Effect on First Language

• Education in another language significantly strengthens first language skills in areas of reading, vocabulary development, grammar and communication skills.
• The earlier the start, the greater the positive effect on the first language.

Citizenship

• Students studying another language have superior cross-cultural skills and adapt better to varying cultural contexts.
• Students studying another language display greater cultural sensitivity.

Economic Potential

• There is a growing need for qualified speakers of languages other than English in areas of science, technology, medicine and global commerce.
• For information about career opportunities, please see the document in the toolbox on the right.