Final answer:
Knowing a foreign language enriches one's cultural perspectives, enhances professional opportunities, and contributes to better academic performance. It is a valuable skill in our increasingly global society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability to speak a foreign language is more than a mere academic skill; it acts as a portal to understanding different cultures and societies. It offers direct insight into how business is conducted in other countries, how people interact, and it allows for more effective communication without the need for interpreters. As Greendale Daily Courier points out, despite the prevalence of English, we face a disadvantage when we limit ourselves to only one language. For instance, a professional such as a doctor can greatly benefit from speaking another language, as it can be crucial in medical situations with non-English-speaking patients.
In a globalized society, language skills can build bridges across cultural divides, contribute to personal development by making us more open-minded, and increase our ability to absorb information from a variety of sources. Research from institutions like Johns Hopkins University supports that bilingual education contributes to better academic progress. With the threat of language extinction due to globalization, as noted by LibreTexts, it's essential to understand and value linguistic diversity.