“People speak English there, so I think I’ll be fine.” I’ve heard this phrase many times from people before they travel abroad and, to be honest, I am guilty of saying it as well. However, while it is often possible to travel or study only in English, this phrase indicates a bigger problem: Americans fall short in the realm of learning foreign languages. 

The gap between language learners in America and those in Europe stems from differing education requirements. Because of national mandates and strong foreign language programs, roughly 92% of European primary and secondary students study foreign languages. In contrast, the Pew Research Center found that the majority of states in America have no high school foreign language requirement and only 20% of American elementary and high school students study a foreign language. According to a study conducted by a language learning platform called Preply, 31% of Americans who studied a foreign language only did so to fulfill a school requirement and less than 10% became proficient in the foreign language they studied. Nevertheless, 90% of those participating in the survey believed that learning a second language is important and 70% of those who did not learn a second language regretted it. 

So what makes studying foreign languages so important? I have always loved studying languages, finding them enjoyable and valuable windows into other cultures. Nevertheless, I have often found myself unable to articulate exactly why I find languages so worthwhile. In the face of shrinking foreign language requirements and opportunities for many American students, I decided to research the benefits of foreign language study and found that they extend far beyond meeting academic requirements and facilitating travel abroad. 

According to a Cambridge University article, languages are powerful because they have the ability to change the very structure of our brains. Anyone who studied a foreign language and achieved a substantial degree of competency or fluency will tell you that it takes time, repetition, and persistence – in short, lots of mental effort – to get there. Language study is one of the most complex mental activities possible, combining constant exposure to new material with the recollection and use of previously learned information. These qualities cause language learners to forge new connections in their brains as they study. As a result, language study improves literacy and all-around academic performance, increases concentration, strengthens short- and long-term memory, promotes empathy and communication skills, and fosters creative thinking and problem solving. These are effects that benefit everyone, regardless of study or career path! 

Foreign language abilities also open up opportunities educationally, socially, and professionally. Even today, in the age of the internet and online translators, multitudes of scholarly books and articles are exclusively published or can be best understood in a single language. Learning to read foreign languages expands scholars’ access to these resources. Socially and professionally, languages allow people to connect with a wider variety of individuals. Preply’s study found that, of those speaking only one language, 58% have been embarrassed by their incapability of communicating with those who don’t speak English and 21% have missed a career opportunity because of lack of second language skills.

Perhaps even more importantly, however, languages open the door to people and cultures that are different from our own. Learning a new language – seeing how members of another group express their beliefs or ideas in their own words – helps bridge the gaps of location, time, and background between people. Foreign language study is a major investment in time and effort, but one that can pay off through the cultural and historical awareness it brings. Few things have the power to connect people as quickly as discovering they can speak the same language. Whether it is only memorizing some basic phrases to facilitate studying abroad or learning a whole new language to communicate with friends, family, or coworkers, learning to speak another language shows a dedication to understanding and respecting other people’s backgrounds and points of view. In many ways, communication has never been easier than it is today, but nevertheless does division between cultures and groups continue to grow. Taking the time to invest in and relate to another culture on a deeper level is an increasingly necessary tool to help individuals and groups move beyond cursory knowledge of each other to deeper understanding and empathy.

In America, a massive, mostly English-speaking country, we easily forget that in much of the world, people live surrounded by those who speak other languages. Secondary schools in America are cutting foreign language requirements (as my home state of Minnesota did a few years back) and college foreign language departments are shrinking and disappearing. Preply warns that, according to the American Council of Alumni and Trustees, only 12% of American colleges require intermediate foreign language competency for graduation today. Additionally, the Modern Language Association found that colleges lost 651 foreign language programs between 2013 and 2016 alone. With so many advantages available for those who learn more than one language, our education system is setting many students up for less than success in this area. While it is never too late to learn a new language, the structure and accountability of high school and university classes facilitate the atmosphere and attitude necessary for making progress in languages, and listening to and speaking a language with a group is far more beneficial than studying it alone. 

Meanwhile, other countries around the globe continue to advocate for and mandate foreign language study. As our world becomes progressively globalized and as traveling, studying, and working abroad increase in ease and popularity, our collective lack of preparation will prove harmful. Schools, universities, teachers, and advisors should recognize the benefits of foreign language study and encourage their students to enroll in these courses. Students should seek out opportunities for acquiring new languages, whether in school or not, realizing that they will never know when another language may come in handy. No matter how far our technology advances, nothing can or will replace the ability to communicate with others on a human, personal level. The rest of the world is charging ahead in language study. As Americans, we have to decide if we want to be left behind.