The merits of a second language
by Kara Kridler
Issue date: 10/28/05 Section: Features
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The U.S. Census Bureau recently reported that an estimated 38.8 million Hispanics live in the United States, making Hispanics the largest minority in the country. According to race and Hispanic-origin estimates, the ethnic group accounted for nearly half of the population increase for the United States since April 1, 2000.
With an increased _ and still growing _ Hispanic population, what does this potentially imply for the vast portion of the U.S. population that speaks only English? Personally, it makes me wish that I was fluent in Spanish.
It was not until recently that I began to regret my decision to drop studying Spanish. I took Spanish classes from the fourth grade through my sophomore year in college. It was a requirement _ students had to take a foreign language.
After finishing the required courses, I took a few additional Spanish classes and then quit. (I think it was the Spanish novels that convinced me to throw in the towel.) By this time, I honestly did not see the benefits of continuing the classes.
Now, nearly seven years later, I wish I had continued to learn a second language. Being bilingual may prove to be a necessity in the near future. As Hispanics continue to assimilate into the existing American culture, will non-Hispanic Americans have to at least partially assimilate into the Hispanic culture?
Though I am focusing on Spanish, virtually any second language would be a big plus. I can tell you that even now as I begin to look for a job, numerous job postings say, "second language preferred" or "second language a must."
I know that it probably depends on your field. But, no matter what your profession is, if it is not important now, it likely will be.
Being fluent in a second language gives you your own special asset, which is huge when looking for a job.
The most significant thing that you can do when on a job hunt is to have your own niche that sets you aside from everyone else looking for that same job - something that makes you stand out.
With an increased _ and still growing _ Hispanic population, what does this potentially imply for the vast portion of the U.S. population that speaks only English? Personally, it makes me wish that I was fluent in Spanish.
It was not until recently that I began to regret my decision to drop studying Spanish. I took Spanish classes from the fourth grade through my sophomore year in college. It was a requirement _ students had to take a foreign language.
After finishing the required courses, I took a few additional Spanish classes and then quit. (I think it was the Spanish novels that convinced me to throw in the towel.) By this time, I honestly did not see the benefits of continuing the classes.
Now, nearly seven years later, I wish I had continued to learn a second language. Being bilingual may prove to be a necessity in the near future. As Hispanics continue to assimilate into the existing American culture, will non-Hispanic Americans have to at least partially assimilate into the Hispanic culture?
Though I am focusing on Spanish, virtually any second language would be a big plus. I can tell you that even now as I begin to look for a job, numerous job postings say, "second language preferred" or "second language a must."
I know that it probably depends on your field. But, no matter what your profession is, if it is not important now, it likely will be.
Being fluent in a second language gives you your own special asset, which is huge when looking for a job.
The most significant thing that you can do when on a job hunt is to have your own niche that sets you aside from everyone else looking for that same job - something that makes you stand out.