Learning a second language can benefit a person in number of ways. Knowledge of a second language is a valuable skill to list on a resume in almost any line of work. Whether it is a young student or an adult, anyone can learn a second language. Undoubtedly, once the person has learned a second language he or she will uncover more and more benefits of possessing that skill.

Improves Thinking Skills
The creative thinking skills of students are sharpened when they learn a second language. A student in a foreign language class is seeing and hearing a lot of unfamiliar words. Consequently, he or she must use creative thinking skills to put together sentences using unfamiliar vocabulary words. Foreign language students also improve their thinking skills by comparing the words they are learning with words of their native language.
Improvements in Academic Performance for Students
Studies show that students who take a second language perform better on standardized tests compared to students who don't take a foreign language. In fact, there have been many more studies on the benefits of students learning a second language (PDF) than one might think.
Increased Opportunities in the Workforce
In today's globalized business world, it is completely possible that a person working for a company would be required to travel the world to conduct business with people in different countries. Consequently, an employee with knowledge of a second language adds to his or her value in the workplace. For instance, an employee who learns Spanish may be called upon by his or her boss to attend a business meeting to discuss a project with a native Spanish speaker. If the project is successful, the employee may receive a promotion to a new position in the company. It's been shown that knowing a second language can open opportunities in the workplace.
Makes Learning More Languages Even Easier
Learning a second language takes patience and persistence. After all, listening to a flow of unfamiliar sounds and words can be very daunting for a student. Most second language courses start with simple vocabulary and move on to more challenging material in a gradual way. Naturally, a student who finds success in learning vocabulary, forming sentences, and pronouncing words feels a sense of accomplishment. The knowledge of the words and sounds in one foreign language can make learning another language a smoother process