There are great benefits to knowing a second language. Knowing a second language will make one smarter, more decisive and even better at English. By picking up a second language, one will also gain many other life-long benefits.

McQuaid Jesuit students have a great opportunity to learn a foreign language. There are six languages offered at McQuaid Jesuit, including Latin, Spanish, German, French, Mandarin Chinese and Italian.

McQuaid junior Spanish 4 student Quentin Tan shared his thoughts on the benefits of communication through another language. “Even just a few minutes walk down the road from McQuaid there will be people on the street and living their everyday lives that are speaking Spanish. In Rochester alone, we have a very large Puerto Rican community, so knowing Spanish can be beneficial to communicate with these people in business, or just simple conversation,” Tan said.

A second language will come in extremely handy in the professional world. Bilingual professionals will qualify for a greater number of jobs, and be able to communicate with more people than their monolingual peers. A second language also strengthens a résumé or a LinkedIn account.

The knowledge of a second language, particularly Spanish or Mandarin, is very beneficial in the world of business. If you are able to communicate with business leaders in other countries, it can be very helpful to your own business because you can learn how other businesses operate. A business person can also gain beneficial partners with other businesses in other countries.

Tan also shared an example on applying a foreign language to the professional world. “Spanish has helped me communicate with patients that I meet while volunteering at Highland Hospital.  I have acted as a Spanish interpreter several times before, when an interpreter was not available,” Tan explained.  Tan’s versatility has helped him fulfill duties that he couldn’t have performed if he were monolingual.

Studying abroad in college is a very common today.  Colleges do this because they want their student to become exposed to different people and different cultures. Studying abroad is also an amazing way to learn more about your major. Learning the language of the country you are studying in is an amazing way to educate yourself and learn more about a culture.

Colleges like to see a student that has taken three or four years of a language. The knowledge of three or more years will only strengthen one’s application to colleges.  Allen Grove on Thoughtco.com says that “No matter where you apply, a demonstrated proficiency in a second language will improve your chances of being admitted.” Grove says, “Life in college and after college is becoming increasingly globalized, so strength in a second language carries a lot of weight with admissions counselors.”

Knowing a second language is very beneficial in the world today. The knowledge of a second language will increase a student’s chance to get into a competitive college.  As Tan said, Spanish is very important in the community around us, and knowing Spanish helped him communicate with hospital patients. Today’s business world often relies on companies in other countries, so knowing a second language is very beneficial to making deals and gaining partnerships.

After learning all the unparalleled benefits, why wouldn’t someone learn another language?