By Yakelin Victoriano Hernandez

Learning a language is more than just about speaking it; it is about the history and culture that makes the language what it is. At PHS, students have the opportunity to learn three different types of languages: Spanish, French, and American Sign Language (ASL).

Mr. Jose Maria, one of the teachers of Spanish at PHS, stated, “The hope  for the language department is for kids to learn and conquer a second language, not only that but to also know about the culture behind the language.”

Mr. Maria believes that the more languages available to be taught, the better! He stated, “[the school] should consider adding two to three more languages so that the students at Passaic High School can expand their thinking.”

As culture expands, so does the languages. Languages are a  form of communication, it can open up your communication skills, and could help expand your social skills. By learning a new language along with a bit of background knowledge of the culture providing you with some information making it easier for you to communicate without using stereotypes.

Mr. Maria states that languages will be useful for students in their futures, “they will help [students] in the future because people learn multiple languages, it helps them to communicate better with people and it will open up more job opportunities.

According to The New York Times, there is a true benefit to knowing more than one language. “Being bilingual, it turns out, makes you smarter. It can have a profound effect on your brain, improving cognitive skills not related to language and even shielding against dementia in old age.”
All in all, learning a new language is beneficial to everyone it opens career paths, communication with others, new knowledge. These languages are and can be very beneficial to today’s work fields.

Source:
“The Benefits of Bilingualism” – The New York Times