First Read: Learning a Second Language: Is It Worth It?

Note

As you read

use context clues to analyze and determine the meanings of the vocabulary words and note unfamiliar
vocabulary;

ask questions about passages of the text that may be unclear or unresolved;

identify key details and ideas and the connections among them;

generate questions before, during, and after reading.

Read

Learning a Second Language: Is It Worth It?

Point: Learning a second language is valuable.

When I was younger, I thought the moon was made out of cheese. It wasn’t until third grade that I learned
the truth. At first, I was disappointed that the moon was not a big ball of Swiss, but this information opened
up many opportunities for me to learn more about space and the solar system. It expanded my mind and
my world (actually, my universe).

I learned an important lesson in third grade: when people are willing to open their minds to something
new, there’s no limit on its value. Learning a second language is the perfect example of this. Like learning
about the moon, I think that learning a second language expands not only one’s mind, but his or her world
as well.

First of all, learning a second language makes you smarter. Studies have shown that the brain processes
information more efficiently when it understands more than one language. Language learning exercises
the muscles on the left side of your brain that are also used to solve math and other logical problems.
Therefore, knowing more than one language helps your brain work better. When you learn another
language, your reading comprehension and reasoning skills, which are often needed in science and math,
improve. Studies have shown that bilingual students score higher on state exams, too.

Knowing a language can take you somewhere new. You can meet new friends on the other side of the
world or watch movies and TV shows in a different language. Charlemagne said, “To know two languages
is to possess a second soul.” This means that knowing more than one language makes it easier to
understand and make connections to people from different cultures. Language learning gives you the
opportunity to have a world view and a greater perspective than people who limit themselves to speaking
only one language.

Lastly, learning a second language opens up doors for your future. This is especially true when it’s time to
find a job. Employers are more likely to hire bilingual people because they have many great qualities. For
example, people who know more than one language can communicate well, solve problems, and get
along with many different people. These are highly desired qualities for all types of careers.

Learning a second language is very valuable because it’s the best way to open up your universe. Once
you learn a new language, it can take you beyond your greatest goals, maybe even to the moon.

Counterpoint: Learning a second language is not worth the time and money.

There’s a saying, “Time is money.” There’s nothing more valuable than time, so you better make sure
you’re doing something worthwhile with it. I believe that learning a second language is not the best way to
spend your time. Language learning isn’t for everybody. Knowing more than one language can be
valuable, but learning a new language is not worth the time and money.

It’s important to note that unless someone learns a second language as a child, it’s a lot harder to actually
become bilingual. Studies have shown that it’s much more difficult for anyone over the age of five to learn
a second language. Therefore, it would be extremely hard for teenagers or adults to learn a second
language and actually be able to use it. It takes years of practice to be fluent, even if you study the
language for multiple hours a day. Who has that kind of time on their hands?

The time spent learning a second language might be better spent learning a different hobby or talent,
especially talents or hobbies that will be useful when you get a job. For example, taking a debate class can
help me become a successful lawyer, and taking choir lessons can help me become a professional singer.
Someone might have a talent that is never discovered because of the time spent learning a language that
will never be used.

Lastly, taking language classes can cost a lot of money. Schools have budgets, or certain amounts of
money, that they need to spend on courses. Instead of giving language classes a big portion of the money,
it would be better for schools to spend their money on other courses, such as reading, math, and science.
Spending money on core subjects like these would be money well spent because these are subjects that
all students are required to know. In addition, if you decide to learn a different language in your free time,
it won’t be cheap. You would have to pay for a tutor, books, and other materials to learn a second
language outside of school. Also, some people choose to travel to another country to learn a second
language, and these trips can be very costly as well.

Language learning is not as valuable as one might think. Although learning a second language can be a
great experience, it’s not worth it. Language learning takes time and money away from exploring other
opportunities, especially opportunities that will help you achieve your future goals.

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