If you didn’t already know, bilingualism is the ability to speak at least two languages: your native tongue and another local tongue or that of another culture. There are many benefits associated with this ability but in this article, we will be discussing the benefits specific to learning Mandarin.
BEING BILINGUAL CAN HELP YOU GET, KEEP AND EVEN GET PROMOTED AT YOUR JOB
Firstly, being bilingual can help you stand out amongst job applicants, especially in saturated industries. This is especially true for those with operations or branches in several overseas countries, especially in China where, if a company wants to be successful and save money, they have to hire bilinguals whose second language is Mandarin.
Secondly, being bilingual can help you keep your job, especially where budget cuts are being made and where people are being fired or laid off. Gone are the days where employees are required to do one specific job and companies are looking to hire and keep more versatile individuals. Taking a few mandarin classes in Singapore can greatly decrease your chances of being seen as expendable.
Thirdly, being bilingual can help you get a promotion. If your company is expanding, or if a new position opens up, you are more likely to get it if you are of course qualified, but especially if you are bilingual and the job requires such skills. This also means more money.
BEING BILINGUAL CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO NEW CAREER POSSIBILITIES
If you are tired of the career you are in today and wish to shift to another, you will be pleased to know that being bilingual makes it a whole lot easier. Because of globalization, the need for interpreters and translators has greatly increased. Persons who can speak widely used languages such as Mandarin, Spanish, Hindustani and Arabic are desperately needed in areas such as Tourism, Health Care, Journalism, Education, and Internation Development and you could very well be that individual.
BEING BILINGUAL CAN IMPROVE YOUR PROBLEM-SOLVING, DECISION-MAKING AND MULTITASKING SKILLS
Listen, learning the Mandarin language is no joke. While some languages have easy to learn grammar rules, syntax, pronunciations and lexicons, Mandarin can make those look like a walk in the park. There are characters to memorise, tones to get right, and so on. According to numerous studies done on bilinguals and monolinguals, persons who are able to speak more than one language are able to process information faster, make more rational decisions faster, block out distractions and multitask, all of which are required to learn a new language. Taking a Mandarin course in Singapore will help to improve your cognitive functions and help you live a more stress-free life.
BEING BILINGUAL CAN HELP YOU MAKE NEW FRIENDS
When you can speak another language, you are introduced to an entirely different culture and are able to socialise with a completely different group of people. As a result, you can make new friends. Also, because you are now a part of this culture, in this case, Mandarin, you can travel to various counties such as Mainland China, Singapore, and Taiwan where the language is widely spoken and you will not have to depend on translators or pay extra money to stay in an English-speaking resort. You can also explore the country on your own instead of taking paid guided tours which can take a significant chunk off your travel budget.
There you have it. There are many benefits associated with being bilingual and you should seriously consider making Mandarin your second language. It is the most widely spoken language in the world and being a speaker of the language can open many doors for you, both social and economic.