Studying a language, especially two at the same time, can appear at first a scary prospect. There are so many things to learn, and yet despite all this, I have enjoyed my time at King’s and gained so much knowledge about the world around. So, what is so great about learning two languages?
Close-knit communities
Languages are all about breaking barriers between people, and forming closer relationships with those who don’t share the same culture. Learning them, especially several, helps to us to understand others better and form communities that are much stronger. The French and German magazines also provide a great community within the university, and you can get to know students from all different age groups.
Variety of subjects on offer
The variety of subjects was the main reason as to why I picked this degree. Not only do you learn about grammar rules and being able to translate between languages, but you can also choose to delve deeper into the history, literature, philosophy and many other aspects of each culture. It’s completely up to you which subject you want to explore further, and the best bit: you can mix and match, something which is very unique to this degree.
Year Abroad
The year abroad is, without a doubt, the highlight of studying any language at university level. You’ll find yourself in a completely new environment, where you’ll not only be immersed in the culture of that region, but in cultures from all around the world. Whether you’re studying at a university, working as a teaching assistant, or completing an internship, your experience will be unique to you. Many even say that it was the best year of their life!
Self-development
Self-development is one of the most overlooked parts of learning languages – but definitely a huge advantage. It’s no secret that languages require a lot of commitment, however, this is something that helps you organise your time better and become more efficient in revision. Spending time abroad will allow you to obtain new skills, such as adaptability and flexibility, as you adjust to a new place and new people. In terms of language skills, as you grow in confidence when expressing yourself in another language, you gain more flexibility in communication, which is another plus.
Career prospects
Finally, it is definitely worth mentioning the benefits of studying a degree like this with regards to career prospects. Studying modern languages does not mean that you have to become a teacher or a translator. You can also enter different jobs in the media, such as journalism. It really is up to you, since the degree covers so many different subjects, you’ll be prepped, no matter what you decide to do. While there are countless advantages to studying a languages degree, I hope I have given you a good idea of what to expect when learning languages, and how wonderfully unique and valuable it really is!
More information:
Alexander also wrote a ‘5 Things I Love about Modern Languages’, blog post. To read it, click here
To read another one of Alexander’s blog posts, ‘Year Abroad in a Modern Languages Degree’, click here
To read Elizabeth’s blog post, ‘A Day in the Life of a Joint Languages Student’, click here
For further information about KCL Study Abroad offers, click here
Leave a Reply