Even with the diversity the U.S. has, bilingualism is under-appreciated in America. Most students have taken a required foreign language course at some point, but few actually retain the language.

This is largely due to America’s ethnocentrism. This sense of cultural superiority downplays the importance of learning a second language.

Having command of two languages has many benefits. As a native Spanish speaker, being bilingual is a great asset. Being able to spontaneously switch from one language to another is useful in many settings.

As an English tutor, I am able to explain concepts to Spanish speaking students better than someone who doesn’t speak their native language. Spanish is useful in everyday situations, from being able to give people directions to translating.

Anyone at any age should consider learning another language, but it’s ideal to learn as a child and teach others as early as possible. Research shows that children who acquire a second language early on show cognitive advantages.

Linguistics Professor John Clark points to research conducted by Evelyn Hatch, an influential linguistics scholar who has written numerous books that demonstrate these advantages.

“In graduate school, I came across studies by Evelyn Hatch and others that suggested that conservatively speaking, there are certain cognitive benefits that truly bilingual people have over non-bilingual people in terms of cognitive flexibility,” Clark said.

Even though advantages in cognitive ability have been noted in people who learn a language after adolescence, said he still encourages students to learn a second language. Clark himself learned German, Spanish and Italian later in life and feels it has been an advantageous.

Speaking different languages, regardless of when those skills were acquired, leads to exposure to different cultures. To be bilingual is not only to command two languages, but two worlds.

Graduate student Kelvyn Moran speaks Spanish and English. Moran said being able to speak Spanish helps him understand Central American culture.

“Spanish has allowed me to understand my parent’s culture, and to an extent be a participant in those communities,” Moran said.

Language can expand our experiences beyond our own culture. This is a powerful incentive to learn a new language.

Becoming bilingual is an excellent way to expand the way we view the world. It allows us to see our own culture in a more critical light.

Speech pathology and audiology professor Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin said it is absolutely beneficial to take a second language in college.

McKibbin took Spanish while in college and says the experience was revelatory.

“In college, I tried to learn Spanish,” McKibbin said. “It’s very humbling and its very good for you because then you realize what immigrants go through when they come to the States.”

McKibbin also said that people who are bilingual have more job opportunities. Speaking a second language can be a deciding factor in the job market.

Learning another language also has more altruistic benefits.

One of the most memorable experiences I have is translating for a woman at a doctor’s office. The look of relief and gratitude on her face made me appreciate the importance of speaking Spanish.

Being able to help someone in a stressful situation was incredibly rewarding.

We should all be more aware of these advantages and be open to learning a second language. It is an investment worthy of time and effort.

Catalina Carapia-Aguillon can be reached at [email protected]