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ELABORATE ON THE ADVANTAGES OF LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE IN
GRADUATE SCHOOL
ERGASHEVA NIGORA ERKIN KIZI
English teacher at Academic lyceum of UzSWLU
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13638537
Abstract
. This article discusses the benefits of studying a second language in graduate
school, and identifies the pros and cons of studying a foreign language.
Keywords
: foreign language, graduate school, benefits, modern world, process.
The beginning of the ХХI century has become a time of serious changes for our country.
After independence, Uzbekistan was actively involved in the process of globalization, the main
idea of which, from the point of view of social changes, according to most researchers, is a large-
scale integration of everything social: "states, peoples, communities, cultures, values, spheres
of public life, which contributes to the formation of a world community and an integral
planetary system, as well as the unification of public life in various territories, within various
communities and social formations, which occurs in parallel with integration" [2]. One of the
first in Uzbekistan to be included in the process of integration and unification was the sphere
of education as one of the dominant "subsystems of the social whole", largely determining not
only "the parameters of the life path of an individual, but also the vectors of development of the
state" [3].
Based on the understanding of the general picture of the modern world, and also
accepting as a single basis for postgraduate study that upon completion of postgraduate study,
the student must meet the qualifications of a research teacher, which formulates the following
"global goal" of training highly qualified personnel: "to help young people entering
postgraduate study to maximize their research and pedagogical abilities." The Ministry of
Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan emphasizes that the
goal of postgraduate education "cannot consist in simply obtaining and deepening professional
knowledge," education should be based "on deepening the skills of systematic, methodical and
innovative thinking, including the ability to competently and convincingly express one's ideas
in Uzbek and foreign languages" [1]. We find confirmation of this idea in the research of E.
Shukurova. Discussing the implementation of the goals of modern student-oriented higher
education, the author, among others, highlights the following professional competencies of a
higher education teacher: "systemic thinking; high level of communication skills; as well as
proficiency in multicultural communication (at least two languages)” [3].
The above-listed requirements for a researcher and teacher of higher education are
largely implemented through the discipline "Foreign Language". In all the main professional
educational programs (MPEP) of higher education, regardless of the direction of training in
postgraduate study, the discipline "Foreign Language" is assigned a universal competence: UK-
4 - "readiness to use modern methods and technologies of scientific communication in the state
and foreign languages", in a number of MPEP we also encounter UK-3 - "readiness to participate
in the work of Russian and international research teams to solve scientific and scientific-
educational problems". In our opinion, the inclusion of UK-3 in the list of competencies formed
in foreign language lessons is quite logical. We believe that both of these competencies are
complementary: work in international research teams is impossible without scientific
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communication skills in a foreign language, just as the use of modern methods and technologies
of scientific communication is hardly possible outside the framework of solving scientific and
scientific-educational problems.
Learning a foreign language, no matter your reasons, knowing two or more languages will
bring many benefits to your life, and it also has its pros and cons: Pros of learning a new
language
1. Networking
The first benefit is quite simple: the more languages you know, the more people you will
be able to communicate with. Whether you are moving to a new country, going to study abroad,
or just communicating on social networks. A new language will allow you to make friends, share
ideas with people you might never have met if you only had your native language to spare. This
is the main value of learning languages: you get acquainted with different points of view and
thinking of people from different cultures, as well as literature and information on your
specialty.
2. Earnings
There is nothing sadder in the world than finding a vacancy that is perfect for you in every
way except the requirement to know the language. By learning a second language, you can open
the door to new career opportunities. In fact, some studies have shown that bilingual employees
are more likely to get promoted and often earn more than monolingual employees.
3. Boost Your Creative Thinking
Learning a new language (and using it) engages your creative thinking. If you don’t know
how to say something in a foreign language, you have to find other ways to express it: for
example, you can use gestures and actions, or simply describe what you want to say. People
who speak a second language also approach problem solving more creatively.
4. Supercharge Your Brain
Did you know that learning languages actually improves your brain’s cognitive function?
There is strong evidence that learning a language actually increases the amount of gray matter
in your brain, improving your ability to remember, reason, and solve problems. Learning a
language also helps preserve your brain’s white matter, meaning you can process information
faster. Learning a new language can help slow the onset of dementia as you age.
Cons of learning a new language:
1. Loss of cultural identity
In some cases, especially for young people, learning a second language results in
neglecting your native language. For example, you moved to another country and are forced to
communicate in another language most of the time (except maybe at home). Eventually, you
may begin to “lose” your native language. And since language is closely tied to our cultural
identity, this can lead to the feeling that you no longer have a strong connection with your native
culture.
2. Not being yourself fully
When communicating in a foreign language, it can be difficult to express your
individuality. This is especially difficult when you are just developing your language skills and
cannot yet express the same thoughts as in your native language due to an insufficient
vocabulary. This means that you will not be able to express certain emotions, shine with
intelligence or a sharp sense of humor.
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Even those who are quite proficient in the language can face such difficulties. Why?
Because each language is unique. For example, your language may have concepts or notions
that are related to the culture and history of your country. There may simply be no equivalent
to these phrases in the language you are learning: expressing a thought becomes more difficult
when the participants in a dialogue do not have a common background.
3. Time Costs
Have you ever heard of the “opportunity cost”? It means . . . basically, it is the price you
pay for your hobbies and desires (opportunities). For example, the opportunity cost of going to
a concert is equal to the price of a ticket to that concert. But cost is not always measured in
money. In the case of language learning, the main currency is time. In other words, becoming
bilingual will take some time. And you could spend that time on something else: meeting
friends, working more to earn more money, or learning something else, like playing the guitar.
Everything has a price!
So, learning a new language will allow you to go beyond the limits. Despite the
disadvantages, you can achieve a lot by speaking several languages. Ludwig Wittgenstein said
it best: “The limits of my world are the limits of my language”.
References:
1.
Teaching a foreign language in graduate school: current issues: monograph / Nosirov K.,
Popov V. state budgetary educational institution of higher education. - Tashkent: Sharq, 2023.
2.
Kodirov D.K. (2023). On the study of foreign languages in higher education. Bulletin of
Science and Education. No. 3. 197-201.
3.
Shukurova E. Benefits of bilingualism: why learning a second language is
important//https://fledu.uz
