The lifelong impact of learning a second language

NOW WE’RE TALKING

“Many studies show that thinking in a foreign language helps reduce biases in your decision-making.”

- Hiro Suita

Jesse Adler

Learning another language is as much food for the soul as it is for the mind.

It increases employability, improves cognitive and analytical abilities and most importantly it helps the learner become a true citizen of the world.

All Saints is home to a dedicated team of language teachers who are not only fluent speakers themselves, but they truly love the cultures and places behind the languages they teach. They know first-hand how learning a second language can help a person flourish in just about any career, as they have personally taught several multilingual All Saints alumni who have gone on to excel overseas. Senior Teacher and French Coordinator Jerome Richalot says being multilingual gives All Saints graduates a leg-up in an increasingly globalised world. “Whether you are a high-flying executive in an international corporation or a local plumber, you are always going to deal with people from different countries and different cultures,” says Mr Richalot. “Learning a language teaches you to be a problem solver and gives you the ability to look at the world with a different perspective.” Middle School French teacher Mary Spinella believes learning languages increases one’s respect for others and helps develop cultural sensitivity. “Not only can students communicate with others in their own language, but they can understand the cultural differences inherent in dealing with people from different countries,” says Mrs Spinella. Senior Teacher and Chinese Coordinator Marian Wilkes certainly agrees language studies help build better careers. “Being able to communicate in a foreign language, particularly a language such as Mandarin Chinese, sets you apart in the job market,” says Ms Wilkes. “For businesses, it is essential to develop a strong footing in the world economy. This

“People tend to rely on the use of Google translators... Computer translators don’t have the human linguistic brain!”

- Cindy Yeh

“All Saints language teachers are not only fluent and native speakers, they have spent years living in the target country.”

- Jo Ridgers

Georgia Dwyer

is more achievable if they understand the language and the culture of their foreign clients.”

There’s no shortage of All Saints graduates who have made the most out of their multilingual abilities. Jesse Adler (Class of 2012), who studied Chinese under Ms Wilkes and Mrs Yeh, now works for Apple Inc. in California but spends a few months each year in China as part of the iPhone Operations team. His job is to oversee the ‘new product introduction’ stage of manufacturing iPhones before the new design is ultimately revealed to the world. (Class of 2017) is studying ballet full time at the Paris Marais Dance School. She is joined by alumna Georgina Dornan (Class of 1996) who works as a lawyer in the banking industry, splitting her time between London and Paris.

Both ladies studied French at All Saints; Georgia from Mr Richalot, and Georgina from Mrs Spinella and Barry Hills. Stuart Sharry (Class of 2007) and Chris Yamanoi (Class of 2010) are another two alumni who have put their bilingual skills to good use in securing exciting positions in Japan. Stuart completed his Master of Medical Research in Neurochemistry at Tokyo University in 2015 and now works as a Medical Editor at Forte Science Communications, Japan’s leading science communications company. After completing a six-year stint as an Electronics Technician Nuclear for the US Navy, Chris currently works as a customer support engineer in ASML’s Nagano office. Both completed Japanese at All Saints, learning from Scott Leisemann and Hirochiyo Suita respectively. It’s safe to say such amazing career opportunities for each of these alumni wouldn’t have been possible without knowing more than one language. Enrolling in a class could very well be the first step towards a life abroad that most people only dream of.