One would think that there is one obvious answer. But as always, there are several aspects to the topic. Let's discover some of them!
You become smarter
Speaking more than one language improves your cognitive skills, especially if you switch between the languages regularly. Like any part of our body, our brain enjoys physical training: decoding and understanding unknown words in a known context boosts your problem-solving skills. Students who study foreign languages tend to score better on standardized tests than their monolingual peers, particularly in math, reading and vocabulary.
More empathy and open-mindedness
Multilingual exposure facilitates the basic skills of interpersonal understanding. Children who are not per se bilingual, but are being raised in an environment in which multiple languages are experienced, are better at interpreting another person's intentions by being able to see things from the other person’s perspective. Being exposed to two or more languages, therefore, seems to make people multicultural, a significant advantage in today’s global world and a vital skill when traveling and getting to know new cultures and people.
Stay healthy throughout life
The ability to interact in two or more languages also provides a health advantage: a fit brain is one of the best ways to keep dementia or Alzheimer at bay. Anything that is hard to do is good for the brain: solving math problems, playing chess, playing music. So, maybe placing my child in a language immersion school will have lifelong benefits I never imagined.
An impact on Growth Domestic Product (GDP)
Several studies in the US and Canada suggest that bilingual workers earned between 1,5 - 7 percent more than their monolingual peers. On the individual level, the German language has the highest value due to its relative scarcity and Germany's importance in global trade. A Swiss study, for example, noted that multilingualism is estimated to contribute 10 percent of Switzerland’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Bilingual is better.
Speaking more languages makes us smarter, more open-minded and flexible. It helps us feel more connected to other cultures and to the world and gives us a new outlook. And there are also substantial economic benefits. The best of all, it’s never too late to step up: a study found that adults who took six months of Spanish language classes had improved executive function compared with those who didn’t study languages.
To conclude, more languages are clearly better, as they complement each other in countless ways. When one language does not suffice, another one can come to the rescue.