Why Study Foreign Languages

Studying a foreign language can improve your cognitive and critical thinking abilities. And three or more years of language study on your record will catch the eye of anyone reading your college application. No matter what your career choice, knowledge of a foreign language gives you an advantage.

• U.S. Government
  Knowledge of foreign languages is vital for the Federal Government to effectively meet 21st century security challenges by better understanding the languages and cultures of our allies and enemies. Recent surveys indicate that more than 80 agencies of the federal government rely on professionals with intermediate to high-level competence in foreign languages.
• Business
  Foreign language study provides the ability to gain an understanding of the cultures of U.S. trading partners. American multinational corporations and nongovernmental organizations need people with foreign language abilities. U.S. ability to compete effectively in global markets means that more and more businesses deal with companies in other countries. They need employees who can communicate in foreign languages and understand other cultures. An employer will see you as an important link to overseas clients.

Learning about other cultures will help you expand your personal horizons and to enrich your understanding of the complex world in which you live. Studying a new language, communicating with people in their own language, and learning about their culture can be a source of both pleasure and personal enrichment.

Learning languages is not just learning about their pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary, it is learning to see the world as the other cultures see it. It is also learning to see your own culture from a new perspective.