Why is It Important to Learn Another Language: Case Study

Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow. My main question is “Why is it important to learn another language?”, in this essay I will share three argumentative benefits to answer this question. Moreover, in the new era of globalization, language is not only use in our daily conversation or for us to communicate among each other but if we mastering multi-lingually, it also can help us in builds our friendships and cultural ties. The issue is third language. I strongly agree that UPSI should make it compulsory for all degree students to take one third language course for three semesters. The reason why UPSI should make it compulsory because language make the students closer and unite among each other, make students be more successful in their career and be an open minded person.

Firstly, third language make the students closer and unite among each other. In Malaysia we live in a multiracial society, learn another language would give benefit for students to more understanding about their friends culture. For instance, students can mix many language during their group discussion not just only use one language so, it would be symbolic that we live in a multiracial society. Besides that, if students know more about another language it would be easy for them to explore and learn about another culture because they know about culturally sensitive and culturally aware. Next, third language is quite important for UPSI students that want to be a teacher. It is because they would teach in various type of school such as national school or vernacular schools, so if they mastering in other third language it would be easy for them to handle and communicate with their students. Thus, compulsory for all degree students to take one third language course would give benefit for them as a students.

Secondly, mastering third language can make students more be successful in their career after graduation. Mastering third language make a person have their own privileges and it would put them on their own level if they attend an interview at company whose first language is not English. For example, they have a basic in Mandarin language so, if they have a problem with their Chinese clients it would be easy for them to convince and slow talk with their clients. Futhermore, in these modern era, statistics show that most companies want employees who can communicate multi-lingually. Based on survey that make by U.S Department of Labor, the demand for interpreters and translators will be increase in 42% over the next decade. As a result, compulsory for all degree students to take one third language course will benefit for students in their future.

Although third language make the students closer and unite among each other, some have argued that as the students they already burdened with their major course. As a college student, they are tied with tight class schedule and already stress with their studies that have a lot of assignment their major course, so that they don’t have much time to focus on third language course. Based on recent survey on college student stress in the United States, around 5.23% students state that the biggest sources of stress in their lives are exams and college coursework. So that, UPSI should think again whether third language course would give benefit for students or just increase the burden on students.

` Despite that, learn third language would not disturb student’s concentration on the major course and would not increase their burden, mastering multi-lingually would make them be an open minded person. Travel make them gain knowledge about another country and also open their mind to accept and understanding another culture. For instance, if a student mastering in one third language such as French language so when they go for a travel in France, it would be easy for them to communicate and at the same time they can explore another culture by own, it is because no need to have a tour guide to be a translator. Compromises have to be made because mastering multi-lingually would make a student have a better life in future.

In conclusion, there are a lot of benefits that would be gain by students if they learn third language course at college. As the students mastering multi-lingually would help them to increase their knowledge and the most important is good for their sake in future. Thus, I strongly agree that UPSI should make it compulsory for all degree students to take one third language course for three semesters.