The importance of languages in a divided world

In an ever more polarised world, I believe it is more important than ever to teach and learn languages, and this is why...

1. Learning a foreign language teaches us that some things are just different, and that "different" doesn't mean "bad" or "stupid". They're literally just different.

2. Learning about the history and culture of other countries teaches us so much about our own language, history and culture. It helps us to realise that we don't exist in a vacuum, and in fact we are all very connected, and have been for a very long time.

3. When you speak another language, you pay attention to and care more about things that are happening in the countries where that language is spoken. You feel more connected to the people, through the shared language, and you understand that we're all just people at the end of the day, wherever we're living in the world and whichever language we speak.

4. Language learning helps us to understand how to get things wrong, try again, and think around a subject, when we don't always have the vocabulary to articulate what we want to say. It makes us more curious about the world and helps us to frame ideas in new ways.

5. We develop a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of the world and can understand world events from different perspectives. When we access news in different languages, we gain a wider understanding and appreciation of what is happening in other countries, and truly grasp the concept that the world doesn't end at the limits of our own town or city.

To dive into these ideas in more depth, have a listen to this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast.