Learn a foreign language in high school and college!
Most high schools and colleges have a foreign language requirement–and for good reason. In an increasingly globalized world, it’s important to be able to communicate ideas and experiences with people who may not speak English. Whether for business or pleasure, knowing a foreign language comes with a huge payoff. You’ll enjoy meeting and conversing with people in a new language AND you’ll increase your marketability and value as a worker. But which language should you learn? Better yet, which language should you learn FIRST? Here, I’ll offer some impressions and advice.
Spanish
In the United States, Spanish is by far the most common language other than English, and it’s on the rise. MANY jobs require their applicants to be bilingual or at least have a working proficiency in Spanish, so it’s an extremely useful language to learn. Not only that, but you’ll be able to travel to a host of beautiful and exciting countries where Spanish is the dominant language and navigate with ease. You might even make some new friends. And as a romance language, Spanish is easy to learn and a great point of departure for learning other romance languages, such as Italian or French. In America, probably the most practical second language to learn is Spanish.
French
French’s global popularity is also on the rise. It’s a popular language in Canada and many parts of Africa. It’s also used in a variety of art forms, such as literature, cooking, and ballet. If you dream of going to France, it’s wise to learn French! You’ll be able to navigate French-speaking countries with confidence and ease, make unforgettable friends, and impress people!
German
Aside from English, German is the most prevalent language in Europe. Germany is also an economic powerhouse, so German can be a wise language to learn if you’re entering into business. English is a Germanic language, which means that German shouldn’t be too difficult to learn. Many influential works of literature, philosophy, and science were written in German!
Latin
Although Latin is a “dead” language (no one speaks it!) it’s an incredibly useful language to learn. A huge percentage of English words have Latin roots, so learning Latin will make you even more adept at English and linguistic endeavors. Proficiency in Latin will help you learn ALL of the languages which have Latin roots, such as Spanish and Italian. Latin is also extremely useful for lawyers or those interested in law to learn. It can also help you decipher religious texts!
Italian
If you’d like to visit Italy or are interested in music or Italian culture, consider learning Italian! As a Romance language, it’s easy for English speakers to pick up, and it isn’t too far removed from Spanish. Italian makes a great second or third language.
Arabic
Learning Arabic can help you earn a great deal of money, as demand for Arabic speakers and translators is quite high. In government jobs, military jobs, and in hospitality jobs, Arabic will prove very useful and enjoyable to learn!
Mandarin
One of the most commonly-spoken languages in the world, Mandarin is useful for those who enjoy Chinese culture and those who want to help maximize their earning potential in business, government, and international relations.
Japanese
If you love Japanese culture, literature, art, and cuisine, Japan is a wonderful language to learn!
American Sign Language
Communicating with deaf Americans is not only fun, but can also be part of a job! As an ASL interpreter, you can earn good money, and–perhaps more importantly–you’ll be taking the time to connect with some truly amazing people you wouldn’t be able to connect with otherwise!
The bottom line
Find a culture that fascinates you! Learn a new language! Yes, you’ll increase your earning and hiring potential…but even more than that, you’ll be able to meet incredible people and navigate incredible countries with ease.
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