The ‘Why, When and How’s’ of Learning a Foreign Language

Why Learning a Second Language in School Gives You a Major Edge

Key Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language

• Stimulates Brain Growth and Cognitive Development

According to neuroscience, individuals who speak more than one language are often better at focusing and multitasking. In fact, brain scans even reveal more gray matter in areas related to executive function. The “mental workout” from switching languages actually strengthens attention control and focus.

At Army and Navy Academy, a boarding school geared for boys, faculty lean into neuroscience findings for teaching foreign languages by incorporating hands-on activities, real-world applications, cultural immersion programs, travel abroad, and communication workshops that align with how boys learn best.

• Enhances Native Language Skills

Contrary to outdated myths, learning another language does not confuse children or teens. In fact, a study cited by Goodreads.com shows bilingual students tend to read earlier and are more adept at spotting grammatical errors in their native language than their monolingual peers.

By offering foreign languages like Spanish and Chinese at private schools like Army Navy Academy, students gain multiple benefits by improving their language skills in reading, writing, and speaking.

• Supports College Admission Goals

It is no surprise that college prep schools require students to become proficient in a foreign language, not only for the many benefits it provides but also to ensure that students meet competitive college admission requirements.

If you want to fully understand college foreign language requirements, this course catalog provides information about required and recommended courses for various higher education paths within the University of California (UC) system, California State University (CSU) system, U.S. service academies, and other highly selective colleges and universities. College admission requirements usually vary from 2 to 4 years of foreign language courses, so speak with your academic counselor to stay on track with your goals.

At Army and Navy Academy, academic counselors offer college planning workshops and individual sessions to ensure that their domestic and international students meet college admission requirements for the schools they are targeting before graduating high school.

• Expands Career Opportunities

The American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) offers an in-depth report to cite the growing demands for fluency in other languages. Based on your interests, uncover needs in sectors like education, healthcare, national security, tourism, diplomancy, and international business. Being multilingual opens doors to various careers.

“For U.S. employers, the demand for foreign language skills is greater than ever before. Whether it’s in the boardroom, in the field, with customers and partners, or on social media, companies today are increasingly more likely to conduct business in a language other than English. Consequently, a command in multiple languages is a valuable asset for U.S. students and employees—not only in boosting their marketability in the workplace, but in helping them thrive in a global economy.” – ACTFL

• Increases Salary and Earning Potential

Language Testing International and other sources indicate that language fluency may offer significant salary increases and earning potential compared to those employees who are monolingual.

With the growing trends toward globalization, mastering these languages below will undoubtedly open unique life and career opportunities for those who can communicate and collaborate in these languages.

• English (around 1.5 billion people),
• Mandarin Chinese (1.1 billion people approx.)
• Hindi (600 million people approx)
• Spanish, French and Arabic (560 million speakers approx.)

Note: These figures include both native and second-language speakers, with English leading significantly due to its status as a global lingua franca.

Teaching English to International Students in the U.S.

Very few boarding schools offer authentic language learning programs for international students that lean into real-life applications. At Army and Navy Academy, international students are immersed in the English language during classes and while participating in athletics, clubs, trips, cultural activities, meals, and dorm life.

International students receive English immersion classes prior to the opening day of school and continue to develop their English language proficiency during the academic year. This course catalog at Army and Navy Academy provides more insight into their program as do the course descriptions below.

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). This literature course focuses on improving students’ English language skills, with an emphasis on active reading strategies and academic language proficiency. It helps students transition into mainstream English and can fulfill an English curriculum requirement or support their core courses.
• The Advanced ESOL Support program enhances advanced English reading and writing skills, providing personalized support for academic success in core classes. It serves as a bridge to academic achievement for English learners, empowering them to become proficient English speakers and writers with a strong academic vocabulary.

As a result of this level of academic support and immersion at ANA, international students not only succeed academically but are well-prepared to attend U.S. colleges and universities. In fact, international graduates have gained admission to top universities, including Cornell University, NYU, UCLA, UCI, UC Davis, UC Berkeley.

Why Foreign Language Learning Gives Students a Competitive Edge

• Language skills are essential for college admission.
• Knowing a second language or being multilingual can open doors to highly competitive careers.
• Speaking another language creates connections and cultivates a broader worldview.
• Bilingual students can apply for competitive jobs where languages are required and increase their earning potential.
• High school is the perfect time to start or accelerate language learning, especially when private boarding schools like Army and Navy Academy offer immersive programs, a strong curriculum, and opportunities for real-world applications.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Is foreign language required in high school? It is not always a state requirement, but it is a very common college admission requirement. It is highly recommended if you wish to gain admission to a selective public or private university or one of the service academies.
2. What if I have no background in other languages? High school is an excellent time to start learning a new language, and many private schools offer introductory courses in Spanish, Chinese and other languages. For international students, some private schools like Army Navy Academy offer language learning programs with ESL/ESOL classes to support learning English.
3. Can I maintain my foreign language skills after high school? Language skills are not permanent so it requires continued practice through immersive experiences like joining conversation groups, using resources like games, books, Duo Lingo programs or by traveling to maintain long-term fluency.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a U.S. student preparing for college or an international student aiming to succeed in an English-speaking private school, learning a foreign language is an investment with positive personal and career outcomes. It strengthens your brain, broadens your worldview, and boosts your college admission and career prospects.

Army & Navy Academy Admission Office: Interested in exploring a private boarding school built for boys offering stellar language learning programs? Contact the office of admission to learn more about this college prep day and boarding school in Carlsbad, California for grades 7-12.

Phone: 888-762-2338

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Candace Heidenrich

Candace Heidenrich is the CEO of Aperture Advisory Associates, where she works with private secondary and higher education leaders to strengthen programs and practices. She founded Aperture in 2018 after more than a decade in a senior administrative role at a boarding school in California. Additionally, she held faculty and chair positions at private schools and colleges in Los Angeles and Ojai. Her background also includes director and executive level positions with start-ups and Fortune 500 corporations.

While earning her B.A. in Education and Humanities in the Lawrence Henry Gipson Scholar program, she studied abroad at Oxford before pursuing her master’s at the University of California, Santa Barbara. A frequent speaker at national conferences, she is a recognized thought leader and authority on enrollment management and marketing best practices.