Learning a second language can provide numerous opportunities

Whitney Knight
Staff Writer

In a world of hard economic times and culturally diverse communities, it is all but impossible to overstate the importance of learning a second language.

The benefits of bilingualism are both immediate and long term, and the obstacles minimal.

In terms of community, learning a second language provides an unmatched sense of understanding, compassion and even kinship toward other cultures. This provides a powerful tool for combating stereotypes and other forms of bigotry.

That a person would even make the effort to learn another culture’s language is an appreciable gesture in itself. After all, wouldn’t you have that much more respect for a foreigner who at least tried to understand your nation’s tongue?

As for the dog-eat-dog nature of today’s business world, having a second or even third language on a résumé is practically a requirement for any job-seeking professional.

Employers recognize that workers with the ability to fluently speak a second language are invaluable assets to their companies.

So, with the benefits of bilingualism so clearly in mind, the question becomes not one of why should one learn a second language, but how to do it?

Luckily, you don’t have to go far. You don’t even have to leave campus.

The World Languages and Cultures Center is a free facility here at the college that provides students with access to a rich variety of resources, support, and technologies for learning world languages — all for no additional cost. Programs such as Rosetta Stone and Satellite TV allow lab visitors to immerse themselves in 11 different languages, and a squadron of lab assistants are only too eager to help.

Lab hours range from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m Monday through Friday, making it an easy stop for any student.

In addition, if you are seeking more hands-on learning experience, OCCC offers a small plethora of foreign language classes, including Spanish, French and Russian.

With resources such as these in such close proximity, it is a downright shame they aren’t used more frequently.

Students should take advantages of these resources while they can, to reap the benefits of the future.

They won’t have the chance forever.