Feature: Why Study a Foreign Language?

St Mary’s University College, Twickenham will be offering part-time language classes at the start of the New Year to students, staff and the community. The languages on offer include French, Spanish, Italian, Advanced English and British Sign Language (BSL). The classes are a chance to study a new subject and seek fresh opportunities in a relaxed environment with an emphasis on conversation rather than written exams. For anyone thinking of learning a new language, it is not an easy feat but offers plenty of benefits! Work With more and more graduates competing for professional employment, adding a new language to your CV can increase job prospects. In fact, some of the top companies in the UK (particularly ones that travel or have offices abroad) request that job applicants speak an additional language as it will help when dealing with clients. Speaking an additional language also shows the employer that you welcome challenges and have the ability and enthusiasm to develop new skills. Life skills When studying a new language you are also gaining so much more. Learning new words will improve your own speech and encourages public speaking, thus boosting your confidence. Studies show that learning a new subject gives you a mental boost as your cognitive processes improve. By studying a language, you are also getting an insight into the culture behind it which will broaden your global knowledge and improve your communication skills. Consequently, it will give you a better understanding and acceptance of other cultures. New friends When starting out on a language course it is important to remember you are not alone. Despite the different ages and backgrounds, everyone else in the room is in the same position to learn a new language from scratch so you all have something in common. As time goes on, you will grow more comfortable with one another and will start to form bonds with fellow learners. You can use new language skills to initiate friendships with people from other parts of the world or develop relationships with friends or neighbours who speak limited English. Travel Knowing the native language of your holiday destination will be highly beneficial as you will have the confidence to navigate through the country with ease. Learning simple phrases such as ‘how do I get to the town centre?’ can make the experience a little more pleasant as you will feel less anxious and more prepared. You never know, it could open the doors for a better cultural experience as locals will appreciate your effort and abilities and become more interactive. Whether you want to learn a language to boost your career prospects or because you are interested in studying something new, language classes at St Mary’s are open and available to all with prices starting from just £100. Please contact languages@stmarys.ac.uk if you wish to register for a class.