Studying a foreign language can increase creativity, enhancememory and raise SAT scores, according to a recent study.
A report by Jeffra Flaitz and Carine Feyten of the AmericanCouncil on the Teaching of Foreign Languages attributes increasesin analytical skills and less prejudice towards other people asresults of learning a foreign language.
Ronald Zogheib, a University of Memphis junior computer sciencemajor, can appreciate such benefits.
"You feel like you are more educated ... and fit more into thesociety (when you know another language)," he said. "Every languageis like a personality."
Zogheib speaks French and English in addition to his nativeArabic.
In 2000, the United States had 15.2 million more non-Englishspeaking people than in 1990, according to census records. That wasan increase of 48 percent increase.
"It is a fact that Americans are traditionally monolingual, andthat has been a problem in the past," said Clay Tanner, languagelab coordinator for the foreign language program.
A fluent speaker of three languages -- English, Spanish andPortuguese -- Tanner said he doesn't think some students understandthe benefits of studying a foreign language or take it as seriouslyas they should.
"I think they're trying to fulfill their requirements," Tannersaid. "I don't think they are aware of the cognitive effects ofstudying another language."
Tanner said he believes America's lack of knowledge of otherlanguages, and as a result other cultures, has contributed to theincreased tension in international affairs.
"When we are not aware of other cultures, we tend to step ontoes. We tend to make mistakes in understanding each other," Tannersaid.
Mary Jaffe, business analyst for First Tennessee Bank, takescalls from Spanish-speaking clients when bilingual operators arenot available and insists that being bilingual has improved herlife immensely.
"There is something profoundly important about talking tosomeone in their native language. I have developed friendships withSpanish-speaking immigrants that have enriched my life and added tomy world view," Jaffe said. "To be bilingual or multilingual iscommonplace in most industrialized countries around the world."
