ENG215 Strategies for Academic Writing

Introduction

In today’s day and age, learning a second language is one of the most practical ways in which a person can spend his time. Language is an important factor in communication across different communities and societies. As different regions and countries have different dominant languages, it becomes useful to be able to speak more than one language. Having a second language is the primary means through which language barriers can be broken. Having a second language not only allows one to be more versatile in communication but also help elevate other aspects of life which can come into use in the future or daily life.  

Discussion

One of the most beneficial uses of having a second language is that it allows a person to develop their cognitive abilities and improve their memory. Whenever a person tries to learn a new skill, the brain increases its work function. The same is applied to learning a second language. By doing so, the brain gets to process new information and work with new grammar and rules and constantly receive an inflow of new words. Through this process, the brain enhances the ability to memorise information and retain it for longer (Stewart).

Along with enhancing memory, having a second language also allows to better multitask. When having a second language, the brain is constantly switching between the primary mother tongue and the secondary language (Schmidt). Sentences in different languages which carry the same meaning are constantly being connected in the mind. Similarly, when speaking a different language, the brain is constantly recalling the correct grammar and sentence structure all the while translating the words being spoken/heard to the mother tongue. This ability to think in different languages and instantaneously correlate the two bits of help in developing the brain's ability to multitask.

The above two aspects benefit the brain in its development. But having secondary language also slows improvement in one’s academic and professional life as well. When in an academic or professional setting, there is bound to be people who .come from different backgrounds and speak a different language (Krashen). By having a second language that is widely popular like the universal language of English, communication becomes much easier. Through the application of a second language, people can be more versatile and effective in communicating their ideas and thoughts with articulation and clarity. A second language also allows people to be appreciative of the language in places where it is spoken as the first language.

Conclusion

Communication is a key aspect of daily lives. Without the ability to properly communicate, it becomes difficult to lead a socially peaceful life. Having a second language allows one to train their brains to be more adept at retaining memory. At the same time, it allows increasing cognitive functions that result in better multitasking skills. Both these benefits cumulate in a better quality of life. Having a second language will allow for a better academic and professional life as it allows for ease of both communication and understanding (Yelland).

Reference List

Krashen, Stephen D. Second language acquisition and second language learning. University of Southern California, 1981.’

Schmidt, Richard. "Awareness and second language acquisition." Annual review of applied linguistics 13 (1992): 206-226.

Stewart, Janice Hostler. "Foreign language study in elementary schools: Benefits and implications for achievement in reading and math." Early Childhood Education Journal 33.1 (2005): 11-16.

Yelland, Gregory W., Jacinta Pollard, and Anthony Mercuri. "The metalinguistic benefits of limited contact with a second language." Applied psycholinguistics 14.4 (1993): 423-444.

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