When talking about the benefits of being multilingual, most people think of the basic perks – the convenience one faces when visiting other places and the advantages of communicating with the local population in other countries. However, the benefits of being a multilingual are far more. Multilingualism has been shown to have several social, psychological and career advantages. Moreover, recent studies show several health benefits that arise from speaking more than one language. These include faster recovery after a stroke and delayed onset of memory loss diseases.

Here is a list of some of the benefits you have of being a multilingual:

• Enhance Communication Skills: This is a given fact – the more languages you know, it becomes easier to talk to people, which consequently improves your communication skills. You can also get around many countries by actually speaking the language and experience the place like a local.

• Heightened Linguistic Recognition: Knowing multiple languages makes your resume stand out and can improve your competitiveness in the job market.

• Superior Executive Functioning: Many studies show that those who speak a second or third language are more likely to be less distracted and more focussed on tasks.

• Attuned to their surroundings: The cognitive benefits of being a multilingual affect both kids and adults. Children as young as seven months who are exposed to more than one language tend to better adjust to environmental changes.

• Increased Career Opportunities: Speaking multiple languages has numerous employment benefits. Being multilingual means there are more job opportunities depending on the languages you speak. Several companies, especially the ones that have offices in different countries are now considering multilingualism a high priority.

• Delay the onset Alzheimer’s /Dementia: Being multilingual has proven to have positive effects on the brain.

• Skilled multi-tasking: Since multilingual people can easily switch between different languages they are good at multi-tasking as well.

• Improves Memory: Studies have shown that people who speak multiple languages have better attention which has a positive impact on the memory skills of the person.

• Multiple Languages multiplies perspectives: One of the benefits of being multilingual is that you can see the world in different ways. This usually makes them more open-minded to new things and new experiences.

• Increases ability to learn additional Languages: A great benefit of being multilingual is that you can learn new additional languages more easily than monolingual. This is primarily because language skills reinforce each other. So if you already have a second language, then learning a third language simply means transferring those skills over.

So, what are you waiting for? Start learning a new language and reap out the benefits.