Freakonomics Radio 158. Is Learning a Foreign Language Really Worth It?
Mar 6, 2014
Exploring the ROI of learning a foreign language, highlighting global demand despite resource limitations. Discussing how operating in a foreign language can impact decision-making. Examining the cognitive and financial benefits, including the wage premiums of bilingual individuals. Teasing mind reading with a Queen song and exploring its hidden messages.
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Kids' Ambitious Language Dreams
- Fourth graders at Little Red Schoolhouse have big dreams tied to learning languages, like business and world travel.
- They see language learning as a tool for future career and social success, from pastry shops to scientific invention.
Foreign Language Alters Decisions
- Using a foreign language changes how people think and decide, making them more reflective and less emotional.
- This cognitive shift leads to riskier investments and more utilitarian moral decisions when using a second language.
Cognitive Benefits of Bilingualism
- Bilingual kids show better memory and executive function, and bilingualism may delay Alzheimer's onset.
- Learning a foreign language also helps you communicate with more people and can enhance overall intelligence.