Can you speak more than one language? Being bilingual has never been as important as it is today.

There are, of course, many superficial perks of being bilingual. Chatting up any person you meet when traveling abroad, expanding your world view when watching the news in a different language, or being able to add the phrase “speaks two languages” to your resume, are all wonderful experiences.

But make no mistake about it, being bilingual is a great asset for any professional. Business is no longer confined to U.S. boundaries, and bilingual individuals are in greater demand than ever before.

Here are 4 advantages to being bilingual that may make you reconsider learning a second language:

1. It helps keep your brain active
Did you know that individuals who are bilingual generally have a more flexible and active brain than those who only speak one language? This is due to the fact that they are frequently switching between two language systems.

Bilingual individuals also have an easier time:

• Developing strong thinking skills
• Using logic
• Focusing, remembering and making decisions
• Learning other languages

2. It helps you learn more efficiently
The learning advantages that come with growing up learning two languages is especially seen in children’s ability to think through problems. This is because they can switch between languages, are more sensitive to language, and have a better ear for listening. The ability to read and think in different languages promotes higher levels of abstract thought as well, which is an extremely important skill children carry into adulthood.

3. It makes you more “worldly”
One-half to two-thirds of adults around the world speak at least two languages. This seems like a high number, doesn’t it? Well the majority of these people don’t live in the United States. Generally bilingual adults have more advantages around the world than monolingual adults. They are also presented with more opportunities to participate in the global community, retrieve information from more places, and learn more about people from other cultures.

4. It keeps your brain sharp
Believe it or not, various studies have shown that individuals with a higher level of bilingualism were more resistant than others to the onset of dementia and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Esto es bastante guay, ¿sí? This is because both languages are continually active, even if only one is being used. Bilingualism has positive effects on the other end of the spectrum as well … bilingual children as young as seven months can better adjust to environmental changes.

Have you reconsidered picking up a second language yet?