Five Benefits of Learning Chinese

If you’ve ever wondered how to learn Chinese as a beginner, chances are there was some motivating spark behind the idea. Maybe you read about a promising new business opportunity in China. Maybe you just liked the idea of learning a new language to keep your mind sharp. No matter what got you thinking, you might have also wondered about what other benefits of learning Chinese might be out there. Is learning Chinese worth it?

Learning Chinese can provide you with numerous perks that suit all kinds of interests, and below you can read about five main advantages of learning Mandarin.

 

Dive Into Chinese History and Culture

Love history? Learning Chinese can help you engage with Chinese historical events with greater depth and perception.

The recorded history of China dates back to over 3,000 years ago, so it has inexhaustible material to offer history buffs. Its stories encompass those of the Great Wall, the Silk Road, the inventions of paper and gunpowder, the Opium Wars, and the Cultural Revolution—among other noteworthy world events to dig into.

Throughout this storied history of China, Chinese luminaries have produced works of art, literature, and philosophy that continue to inspire the world. Being able to read Chinese literary works is one major reason why you should learn Chinese. You would be able to immerse yourself in Chinese novels, poetry, and short stories free from translations. You would also be able to watch Chinese films and TV productions without having to read subtitles.

 

Expand Your Business

If you’re looking to expand your business, learning Mandarin Chinese can help you find new opportunities in China. The country currently boasts the second-largest economy in the world and shapes the global market. 

By learning business Chinese, you will be able to connect with Chinese-speaking business partners, and these business partners can grant you greater access to China’s vast capital and potential. Through this networking, you can benefit from China’s central role in the global supply chain, its growing consumer market, as well as its high demand for imported goods and services.

 

Track New Career Opportunities

International corporations working in Chinese-speaking regions know the value of employees who speak Chinese. With Chinese language abilities, you can be entrusted with impressing and interfacing with Chinese-speaking managers, colleagues, and clients, so you can effectively work in locations that require these skills.

This advantage isn’t limited to China, either. As Chinese influence expands around the globe, these opportunities open up in more places around the world.

You can work not only in China but also in the regions that make up “Greater China”: Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The “Bamboo Network” furthermore connects Greater China’s businesses to Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Chinese businesses and interests have also expanded into Africa and fueled its rapid urbanization.

 

Exercise Your Brainpower

Owing to the language’s unique characteristics, the benefits of learning Chinese may also extend to cognitive benefits.

When researchers examined the brains of English speakers and Mandarin speakers, they found that while English speakers activated their left temporal lobes while processing language, Mandarin speakers activated both their left and right temporal lobes.

A possible explanation for this is that because Mandarin speakers must discern the tones of syllables for meaning, they must also rely upon the right sides of their brains, which are associated with processing music and tones.

Other studies suggest that there are even more reasons to study the Chinese language: learning to handwrite Chinese characters may develop motor skills, visual recognition, and spatial memory; and Mandarin speakers may also have cognitive advantages when it comes to working with mathematics and numbers.

 

Enrich Your Travels to China

If you travel to China—whether for business, studies, or leisure—knowing Chinese will prepare you to feel more comfortable and enjoy yourself much more. While you can still have fun on a trip to China even if you don’t know Chinese, if you learn to speak Chinese, the ability to communicate with others combined with a background knowledge in Chinese culture will enrich and expand your experience.

You’ll be able to find your way around the country with relative ease as you traverse China’s sprawling landscape of both cities and rural areas. Through your conversations, you’ll be able to make lasting connections with new friends or cultivate valuable business connections. You’ll also be able to engage with Chinese culture, traditions, and landmarks from a more intimate vantage point.

 

Discover the Benefits of Learning Chinese

No matter what your original reasons for learning Chinese might be, you’re bound to discover more benefits of learning Chinese as you improve your skills and apply them to your personal interests and life. From planning a smooth itinerary through China to working with Chinese-speaking colleagues in Singapore, Chinese language skills can get you to where you want to go.