Alexis Poole

Honors Mentorship Program

Flowery Branch High school

Secondary Languages for Students

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to
him in his language, that goes to his heart.-Nelson Mandela.
My initial interest in learning a second language began in middle school when I was
enrolled in the Survey of Spanish course. Taught by Mrs. Meredith Westbrook, it was a taste of
the Spanish language, a chance to dip your feet in the pool of the Spanish language and culture.
We were taught colors, seasons, weather, and numbers. The experience changed my outlook on
the world, up until that point English was just the way we all spoke. I didnt put much thought
into the fact that other people from all over the world spoke many different languages and had
different aspects of their languages that formed their different cultures. Learning about Spanish
speaking countries and such a beautiful language, it was an eye opener for me. From then out, I
continued on with Spanish classes, learning more and more. My desire to learn the language, as
well as the culture, only grew day by day. The purpose of learning another language is about
more than learning how to communicate with others, its about the other person. Their customs,
thoughts, beliefs, and much more. Its about understanding. Learning a secondary language is
key in understanding other cultures around the world and broadening your horizons in order to
expand your knowledge.
Before my research, I was sure that learning a secondary language was helpful in the
workplace. I knew that people in the U.S. that graduated with minors in Chinese or Japanese

Alexis Poole
Honors Mentorship Program
Flowery Branch High school

would acquire jobs faster in the business world because trading between Japan and China was
key in our economy. I knew that students typically studied other languages to communicate with
friends or neighbors, people in their community that they couldnt communicate as well without
learning their language. My assumption was that not many students carried out learning a second
language much past high school because it was too difficult or not useful for their fields of
study. I wasnt aware of the impact that learning a second language had on a persons mental
capacities and creativity levels.
Upon exploring, glancing at articles, inter viewing students, I came to find that learning
another language is very beneficial to students. One article in particular spoke of students
abilities to enhance their creativity. Learning a second language encourages students to live
abroad, an experience that studies suggest improves creative problem-solving abilities. (Sarah
Amandolare). The intensity of cultural immersion can provoke a student to use abilities they
werent even aware they possessed. The critical thinking triggered by their experience can
enhance their creative modes. "I feel like I could go to another country and understand what
people are saying," he told 17 year old Trevor Tanner told The Joplin Globe when asked about
learning a secondary language in high school. Many other students agree with Tanner, that
learning a language that isnt native to you is a great way to understand other cultures and better
equip yourself for traveling to other countries. Another Article, suggested that bilinguals are
often more confident speaking in their secondary language. A survey taking place in china,
revealed that the Chinese students had higher self-esteem when taking the same questionnaire in
English rather than Chinese. I learned the answer to my essential question is that the connection
between people is language. Studying a language gives you greater appreciation for those who
speak it and the places where it is spoken. Studying abroad gives many bilinguals the opportunity

Alexis Poole
Honors Mentorship Program
Flowery Branch High school

to immerse themselves into a different culture, connected by a shared language, a chance to

communicate with others on a whole other level.
Conclusively, the study of a second language is beneficial to students, especially if
traveling is a possibility in their future. In order to truly understand a language, studies show, that
there is no better way than to submerge yourself into their culture. Studying abroad is a choice
that many young students make, exploring exotic places and peoples that they would otherwise
never have given a thought to. The impact learning a secondary language has is
incomprehensible until youre learning another language for yourself. Language is a way to
connect people together, no matter their background or upbringing, with a shared language they
are a part of each other. In order to preserve cultures and respect our adversity, it is highly
recommended to learn other languages, become immersed in other cultures, and expand your
knowledge of the world.

Caldwell-Harris, Catherine. "How Knowing a Foreign Language Can Improve Your Decisions."
Scientific American. SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, A DIVISION OF NATURE AMERICA,
INC., 3 July 2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2016.
Amandolare, Sarah. "Can Language Immersion Lead to Enhanced Creativity?" Can Language
Immersion Lead to Enhanced Creativity? Dulcinea Media, Inc., 24 June 2010. Web. 16
Feb. 2016.