Why being multilingual works to your advantage

    Multilingualism refers to using more than one language in everyday life. Multilingualism is on the rise in many parts of the world, with around one in every three persons being multilingual. The presence of multiple languages in one area is typical in many regions of many continents, including Europe (Switzerland and Belgium), Asia (India, Philippines), Africa (Senegal, South Africa), and North America (Canada). In Canada, for example, the Canadian Council of Learning says in some Canadian urban regions, about 50% of students speak another language in addition to English.

    There has been a long history of disputes on the benefits and drawbacks of raising children who speak more than one language. Despite its popularity, there has been little research. Teachers and scientists in the twentieth century believed that learning multiple languages at once could impair a child's academic and intellectual development. They anticipated that the child would become confused and begin mixing the languages. This attitude was founded on assumptions or misunderstandings. This concern is still prevalent, and research is ongoing. Despite this, there are numerous benefits to speaking more than one language. It gives you a competitive advantage in the employment market and more social and cultural opportunities.

    Organizations are looking for employees that are the best fit and can provide the highest performance for their company. It is in the company's best interest to recruit a multilingual individual since they could hire one person who can speak many languages rather than multiple people. Thus, multilingualism has an advantage because it is more favourable than monolinguals. In resumes or applications, if you include multilingual, you will have the edge over the monolingual applicants. Furthermore, studies have shown that bilingual employees can earn up to 5-10% more per hour than monolingual workers.

    We are social beings, and communication is a crucial ability that we employ regularly. Communication conveys ideas, emotions, and thoughts from one person to another. Speaking multiple languages allows you to interact with a greater spectrum of people. Instead of struggling with a language barrier and having superficial encounters, you can connect with others. Enabling you to communicate with people you would not have been able to speak with if you were monolingual. Meaning you have more opportunities to meet new people and expand your social network.

    There are several cultures and traditions around the world. Being multilingual exposes you to various ideas, traditions, and cultures. Even if you do not speak the language, you can learn about the culture. However, you will not be able to have an immersive experience compared to being able to speak the language as well. If you are travelling, then knowing the language becomes more convenient, enjoyable, and less stressful. There is no language barrier keeping you from communicating and understanding. Instead of pointing at the photos on the menus and asking for help or directions, you will be able to speak directly with the locals, waiters, and help desks. 

    Being multilingual provides you with a competitive advantage in the job market and additional social and cultural opportunities. The ability to speak more than one language gives you the edge of being more desirable by companies, which can result in higher pay. You will be able to communicate with a broader range of people, broadening your social circle and expanding your opportunities. Multilingualism allows you to experience a different culture and makes travel much more enjoyable. So, while scientists have not identified whether there are any negative impacts, we do know that there are numerous advantages.