This article won The Frederick News Post‘s third place “best column on an education subject” award.

In many jurisdictions lawmakers have introduced variations of a bill that requires all government functions to be conducted in English. Known as “The Language Unity Act,” the bill would also establish a uniform language requirement and require local state or government officials to encourage people to learn English, therefore making English the national language.  Although some legislators believe that sharing a common language is the best way to unify the country, many do not realize the opportunities they are missing out by cutting out the speaking of other languages within the borders. Eighty percent of the world does not speak English.

Each culture celebrates its own unique customs, including food, clothing, traditions, even architectural monuments all throughout the world. Perhaps one of the biggest cultural differences people everywhere practice is languages. The ability to speak and write not only connects us to our culture, but to others who practice the same language.  However, over 6,000 languages are spoken around the world. Speaking multiple languages allows one person access to many cultures, helping them to thrive throughout their lives.

The Maryland State Curriculum leads the way for new early learning of foreign languages. The curriculum focuses on five world languages goals, dubbed The Five C’s: Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. Through the curriculum, students learn the languages and the ties that connect it to the culture. Children understand the written and spoken language, but they are also taught the customs and traditions of the people who speak the languages.

It used to be a common belief that being multilingual would slow a child down in school. However, in a 2004 study, bilingual children were faster at sorting blocks into different bins while the colors were mixed. This is because bilingual students can ignore distractions when they are switching from language to language. The benefit of being bilingual is the work the brain has to do to understand.

Children are not the only ones who use the connections and wonders of speaking multiple languages. Mrs. Margarita Doughty, Spanish teacher and leader of the Spanish Honor Society, grew up in Lima, Peru and attended a bilingual school in college. “While growing up in Peru, attending a bilingual school opened a whole new culture to me,” Doughty said. “While learning English was not always easy, it was a lot of fun.”

Research has shown that students who study other languages while in school tend to score higher on standardized tests in areas such as reading, language arts, and mathematics. No matter what race or gender, students who studied another language scored higher. Also, the data extracted from the Admissions Testing Program of the College Board prove that there is a relationship between taking a foreign language and amazing test scores.

Second languages are becoming more and more necessary in today’s jobs. In fields such as business, communications, education, government sciences, humanities and arts, government services, and technology, speaking multiple languages has become a necessary skill sought out by employers.  Employers consider hiring a person who could speak another language before someone who could not.  Bilinguals can help businesses with potential customers who cannot communicate through the same language.  More often than not, speaking another language can open a career much wider and fill it with more possibilities.

In high school, Doughty was able to work as a tutor, a translator and a tour guide because of her skills in language.  After she graduated, she received a scholarship to attend a university in Chicago, Illinois. Doughty has taught high school and college level students in seven states, translated for a multiple fields including business and marketing, done volunteer work, and traveled all over Europe, Central and South America.

“None of this would have happened if I did not speak another language. From each of these experiences I have become a better person,” said Doughty.

Mrs. Dragana Blonder, a French and English teacher, speaks not only French and English, but also Croatian and Serbian, and can understand Italian. Speaking multiple languages has left a positive impact on her life while living in multiple countries including Croatia, Libya, Malta and the United States. “I was able to understand my neighbors and new friends and show them respect by speaking their language and understanding their customs and traditions,” said Blonder.  “Learning a foreign language will help [my students] better understand their own language and culture, be a better candidate for college admission and job interviews, be an educated tourist when they travel abroad, and keep their minds healthy and avoid dementia in older age.”

Although learning multiple languages can be difficult and tricky, the benefits are innumerable. “Studying a different language opens your mind to a whole new world. Learning a language promotes respect for differences and destroys stereotypes. Being able to speak more than one language enhances your travel experiences,” said Doughty. “If I had not studied a different language my life would not be as rich as it is today.”