Residence Hall Community Events - Orientation and First-Year ...

Top Ten Reasons to Study a Second LanguageU of M Day!1. Research shows that knowledge of other languages boosts your understanding of languages in general andenables you to use your native language more effectively.2. Play Words With Friends with players from across the world.3. Knowledge of a foreign language will allow you to compare and contrast cultures. Learning a language is notjust learning about its pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary; it is learning to see the world, including your ownculture, as the other culture sees it.4. Impress your date; order the sushi in Japanese.5. Any travel experience will be largely shaped by your ability or inability to see beyond the surface of theculture. If you’d like to stray from the tourist centers and explore the real country, consider learning the language.6. With 1 of 6 U.S. jobs tied to international trade, there is a high demand for workforce with language skillsand international expertise.7. A person competent in other languages can bridge the gap between cultures, contribute to internationaldiplomacy, and promote national security and world peace.8. Not planning on majoring in a language? You can expand your educational opportunities in your majorprogram by studying a foreign language. Knowing a second language allows you access to more materials,scholars, internships and grants in your chosen field of study.9. Knowing another language and culture gives you the opportunity to see yourself and your own culture froman outside perspective. Contact with other languages and cultures gives you the unique opportunity to stepoutside your familiar scope of existence and view your culture’s customs, traditions, and norms as well as yourown value system through the eyes of others.10. Here’s a riddle... What do you call a person who speaks two languages? Bilingual. And what do you call aperson who speaks one language? American. While only 9% of Americans speak both their native languageand another language fluently, 50% of Europeans are fully bilingual. Be prepared to compete in the globalmarketplace: Be one of the 9%.All students have the opportunity to study a second language. The following languages are offered atthe University of Minnesota and are available for all students:AkkadianFrenchIcelandic – ModernPortugueseAmerican Sign LanguageGermanItalianRussianArabicGreek – ClassicalJapanese – ClassicalSanskritChinese - ClassicalGreek – ModernJapanese – ModernSomaliChinese - ModernHebrew – BiblicalKoreanSpanishCopticHebrew – ModernLatinSwahiliDakotaHindi/UrduNorwegianSwedishDutchHmongOjibweUgariticFinnishIcelandic – Old NorsePolish(Note: The College of Liberal Arts considers language study to be a cornerstone of a well-rounded education. Most, but notall, of the languages listed above are available to complete CLA’s second language requirement. Please consult with youracademic adviser as you make plans for your degree.)18