105 Learning Journal #9

[Esther Kwon]

I highly agree with both readings in the fact that there are many advantages and benefits from being bilingual, even though it may be difficult at first since an individual needs to create two distinct sets of vocabulary, grammatical structure, and etc. Though I am only partially fluent in Korean, I think it was tremendously beneficial for me to have grown up hearing and using English and Korean since it made me learn the unique process of understanding the different sounds and structures between the two languages as well as learn how to differentiate and interpret them. I think learning languages is an extremely unique skill for the brain to learn since it is really unlike any other type of learning. Learning a language requires not just memorization but also the ability to pronounce sounds correctly, understand and interpret what you hear, and the most challenging part: creating your own sentences. Because of all the functions the brain must adapt and use, I strongly believe that there are major mental health benefits in the long term for knowing more than one language.