Why is it Important to Learn a Foreign Language?

The advantages of learning foreign languages are mushrooming as the world becomes increasingly globalized
and bilingualism is now perhaps the most useful real world (1) sk__ __ __ to ever exist. If you’re thinking about
making the effort to learn a foreign language rather than (2) expe__ __ __ __ __ the world to accommodate your
monolingualism, you are a rare breed indeed. Foreign language study is all about learning how to truly
communicate and connect with others—an incredibly important life skill that can only be cultivated by
interacting with people.

1. Learning a foreign language opens up a world of job opportunities

It’s no secret that learning a foreign language can (3) imp__ __ __ __ your employment prospects. More
companies than ever are doing business in several—often dozens of—countries around the world, but they can’t
do it without hiring people who have a grasp on at least one foreign language. Even in small, local companies,
chances are that the ability to speak a second language will set you apart from other (4) appli__ __ __ __ __. And
in an increasingly competitive job market, why not give yourself every possible edge?

But, it’s not just about padding your resume. With globalization in full swing, there’s a good chance you’ll be (5)
wor__ __ __ __ with people whose first language isn’t English. Maybe it’s a development team in India, or a
manufacturing plant in China, or an alternative energy supplier in Germany. Being (6) ab__ __ to communicate
in other languages makes you much more valuable to an employer and having that (7) compe__ __ __ __ __ __
edge on your resume is without a doubt an eye-catcher.

2. Foreign language study grows your brain

Studies have demonstrated the cognitive (8) bene__ __ __ __ of learning another language, no matter how old
you are. These studies have shown that bilinguals tend to have bigger brains, better memories, are more creative,
better problem solvers, etc. Not only do these advantages make it (9) eas__ __ __ to learn yet more languages,
they also make it easier to learn, well, anything. The ability to quickly switch between tasks is especially
important in today’s busy multitasking world. Bilinguals can switch between tasks much faster than their
monolingual (10) counte__ __ __ __ __ __ and can handle many more tasks at once.

3. Form meaningful friendships when you study a foreign language

Meeting new and interesting people and developing lifelong friendships are certainly objectives (11) we__ __
worth aspiring for, and learning another language is a sure way to expedite that process. Language helps express
our feelings, desires, and connect with other humans around us and forms meaningful relationships. Speaking a
foreign language not only opens up a massive pool of potential friends, but it also acts as an instant common
denominator when you meet (12) nat__ __ __ speakers. Plus, speaking in a foreign tongue can be like speaking
in secret code with your new best friends.

4. Studying a foreign language makes you more open-minded

Foreign language study is simply part of a very basic liberal education. To educate is to lead out—to lead out of
confinement and narrowness and darkness. Learning a foreign language and getting soaked into an (13) enti__
__ __ __ new culture and worldview is the surest way to become an open-minded, understanding, tolerant
individual, and that is absolutely (14) pric__ __ __ __ __. Once you are aware of the fact that we are all cultural
beings, products of our own environments, and that you recognize the cultural base for your own attitudes and
behavior, you are (15) re__ __ __ to consider others in a more favorable light. Seeing the world from a different
perspective, and understanding where you and others come from, is a fantastic, eye-opening (16) exper__ __ __
__ __.

5. Foreign language study helps you better understand your own language and culture

Learning a foreign language can actually pull a sort of reverse psychology on you and (17) pro__ __ __ __ you
with a better understanding of your own native tongue and (18) cul__ __ __ __. This is one of the most
unexpected advantages of learning a foreign language. You will become much (19) mo__ __ conscious of not
only cultural customs, but of the grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation patterns of your first language. This
(20) lik__ __ __ explains the improvements in listening, reading, and writing skills that foreign language impart
to former monolinguals.

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6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20

Key: Why is it Important to Learn a Foreign Language?

The advantages of learning foreign languages are mushrooming as the world becomes increasingly globalized
and bilingualism is now perhaps the most useful real world skill to ever exist. If you’re thinking about making
the effort to learn a foreign language rather than expecting the world to accommodate your monolingualism, you
are a rare breed indeed. Foreign language study is all about learning how to truly communicate and connect with
others—an incredibly important life skill that can only be cultivated by interacting with people.

1. Learning a foreign language opens up a world of job opportunities

It’s no secret that learning a foreign language can improve your employment prospects. More companies than
ever are doing business in several—often dozens of—countries around the world, but they can’t do it without
hiring people who have a grasp on at least one foreign language. Even in small, local companies, chances are
that the ability to speak a second language will set you apart from other applicants. And in an increasingly
competitive job market, why not give yourself every possible edge?

But, it’s not just about padding your resume. With globalization in full swing, there’s a good chance you’ll be
working with people whose first language isn’t English. Maybe it’s a development team in India, or a
manufacturing plant in China, or an alternative energy supplier in Germany. Being able to communicate in other
languages makes you much more valuable to an employer and having that competitive edge on your resume is
without a doubt an eye-catcher.

2. Foreign language study grows your brain

Studies have demonstrated the cognitive benefits of learning another language, no matter how old you are. These
studies have shown that bilinguals tend to have bigger brains, better memories, are more creative, better problem
solvers, etc. Not only do these advantages make it easier to learn yet more languages, they also make it easier to
learn, well, anything. The ability to quickly switch between tasks is especially important in today’s busy
multitasking world. Bilinguals can switch between tasks much faster than their monolingual counterparts and can
handle many more tasks at once.

3. Form meaningful friendships when you study a foreign language

Meeting new and interesting people and developing lifelong friendships are certainly objectives well worth
aspiring for, and learning another language is a sure way to expedite that process. Language helps express our
feelings, desires, and connect with other humans around us and forms meaningful relationships. Speaking a
foreign language not only opens up a massive pool of potential friends, but it also acts as an instant common
denominator when you meet native speakers. Plus, speaking in a foreign tongue can be like speaking in secret
code with your new best friends.

4. Studying a foreign language makes you more open-minded

Foreign language study is simply part of a very basic liberal education. To educate is to lead out—to lead out of
confinement and narrowness and darkness. Learning a foreign language and getting soaked into an entirely new
culture and worldview is the surest way to become an open-minded, understanding, tolerant individual, and that
is absolutely priceless. Once you are aware of the fact that we are all cultural beings, products of our own
environments, and that you recognize the cultural base for your own attitudes and behavior, you are ready to
consider others in a more favorable light. Seeing the world from a different perspective, and understanding
where you and others come from, is a fantastic, eye-opening experience.

5. Foreign language study helps you better understand your own language and culture

Learning a foreign language can actually pull a sort of reverse psychology on you and provide you with a better
understanding of your own native tongue and culture. This is one of the most unexpected advantages of learning
a foreign language. You will become much more conscious of not only cultural customs, but of the grammar,
vocabulary, and pronunciation patterns of your first language. This likely explains the improvements in listening,
reading, and writing skills that foreign language impart to former monolinguals.
1 skill 2 expecting 3 improve 4 applicants 5 working
6 able 7 competitive 8 benefits 9 easier 10 counterparts
11 well 12 native 13 entirely 14 priceless 15 ready
16 experience 17 provide 18 culture 19 more 20 likely