How Learning a New Language Will Greatly Impact Your Time At University

You'll meet loads of new people at university. It's a melting point where you'll come across people from all walks of life, from all corners of the globe, with innumerable stories to tell - some similar to yours and some completely unfathomable. You'll likely be mingling with students that speak a multitude of languages, and it may be the case that they're not as confident or proficient in English.

When you’re at school, you’re immersed in a year group full of people that are your age and often speak your native tongue. School life is a sandbox system and, as great as it is, it doesn’t ready you for the exposure to the rest of the world that you’ll gain when you migrate to university.

Did you know that international students account for 20.7% of the overall student population in the UK? That's a fifth of your friends filtering in from overseas.

Meeting people from different backgrounds can be great - however, connecting with others when there are language barriers to overcome can be tricky. It's a big enough transition for international students as it is, having to uproot and embrace the culture of a completely new place. But to have to leave their native languages back at home? Maybe it's time we bring a little piece of their home to them.

Socialise and connect better

The easiest way to welcome others is to try and align, which is why you should consider learning their language. As a sign of respect and courtesy, this gesture is very accommodating and signifies your efforts to form a bridge of communication.

Luckily, these days, it's easier than ever before to pick up conversational phrases in different dialects. You could download an app or find a foreign dictionary in your uni library or attend an extra-curricular society for linguists. Another popular method that has taken off in recent years is using audio from a different language on movies/programmes via Netflix, with English subtitles. This is one of the easiest ways to familiarise yourself with another language whilst enjoying your favourite shows.

A prime example of a flexible arrangement that will allow you to develop your language skills with guidance, over time, is to consider an online language-learning site. For example, if you had a friend whose native language was Arabic and they were making efforts to learn English to a proficient level whilst at university, you could consider learning Arabic online. Services like Preply, for instance, allow eager learners to choose their own tutors, dictate when they'd like to learn and also participate from wherever they feel most comfortable.

Improve your career prospects

Learning a new language doesn’t just benefit your brain health and educational prowess, it also helps you remove barriers and build relationships. When you've opened up to another's culture, you're better able to comprehend their opinions and understand their actions. 

This is how language learning will enhance how you network. It’ll illuminate opportunities that might have otherwise been inaccessible to you - the more people you can communicate with, the bigger the variety of others they might introduce you to and the more likely you are to stumble upon an opportunity that can dramatically impact your educational and professional life. 

If you’re studying for a degree that involves liaising with international clients, you’re already several steps ahead of the game if you’re actively able to communicate with them. Say you’re meeting the CEO of an Arabic-speaking company, being able to interact with him directly, without the need for a translator which can sometimes make the conversation less fluid, can immediately strengthen your relationship - as people, and as businesses - going forward.

You can connect with people in your field across the globe without the fear of not knowing how to engage in conversation. 

So, if you’re wondering what extra steps you can take to enrich your entire university experience then unlock your potential as a human by learning a new lexicon. It's an action that not only betters your time - your life - but that of those you’re sharing those with, too.