Why bother learning Spanish (or any foreign language)? And in particular, why should you consider enrolling your children in Spanish classes at WHA? And why should he or she press on toward the goal of mastering a foreign language?

English is my second language. I started learning it in my childhood, so I know what it takes. I also began teaching my children English as a second language when they were very young (around 3 years old), so I know that pain as well. Dealing with the drills, the verbs, the vocabulary lists, the tenses, and the pronunciation rules – each with their many exceptions – is not foreign to me. But I also know the blessing, the joy of being able to articulate my thoughts on paper and in a conversation using a second language. I know that hard work really brings forth fruit in the form of an ability to relate to others across linguistic barriers. I can now bring with me any book in English and delight in it. The benefits are real, but they go beyond the mere practical advantage. What happened inside of me, what really changed, was the effect this had on my person.

Studies show that learning a foreign language helps us to improve our memory and keep our minds sharper even into old age. It may even help to prevent Alzheimers! The benefit I want to highlight, though, is one that normally is not brought up. In my experience, though, I have found it to be the richest of all: “social empathy”.

Let me quote an interesting article on Bilingualism from Time magazine.

“[M]ultilingual kids may exhibit social empathy sooner than children who grow up speaking only one language, which makes developmental sense.  The theory of mind — understanding that what’s in your head is not the same as what’s in other people’s heads — does not emerge in children until they’re about 3 years old. Prior to that, they assume that if, say, they know a secret you probably do too. There’s a kind of primal narcissism in this — a belief that their worldview is the universal one. Once they learn that’s not the case, self-centeredness falls away — at least a little — and the long process of true socialization begins. There’s nothing that accelerates the acquisition of that kind of other-awareness like the realization that even the very words you use to label the things in your world — dog, tree, banana — are not the same ones everyone uses.”

Yes and yes! This “other-awareness” is what I have found as a common denominator in bilingual people. As a general rule, I dare to say that the people I know who speak a second language fluently know how to listen to others better and show more interest in other people’s views, opinions, and ideas. They try to understand exactly what you mean and are less likely to jump quickly to conclusions. They are, for the most part, patient and take the time to build bridges toward others’ worlds. And, not surprisingly, they have an easier time adapting to different situations and cultures than their monolingual counterparts.

And while it is true that the earlier in life one starts learning a new language the easier the process is, it is also true that it is never too late to start. God, in His grace, has given us the ability to build bridges (and building, by definition, implies hard work) to reach out to others who speak different languages than we do. We can, we actually can learn a new language. Our God gave us brains that love to learn, to work hard, and to expand. In Babel He brought division among the peoples using language, but never forget that our God always gives more grace. We can do our part to overcome the confusion of Babel and to reach out to other peoples by learning their languages. And in doing so, we can tell them about Christ who loves to save people from all nations and all languages.

The first step in all of this may be the simple one of enrolling your child in an online Spanish class. Only God knows where this small first step may lead.

Submitted by Becky Pliego, WHA Spanish instructor