Learning and Social Class...

Learning a foreign language is hugely beneficial in a myriad of ways.

A new language can help in the fight against depression, provide countless job opportunities, and give you a greater understanding of the world around you. However, learning a new language is not something that comes effortlessly to everyone’s brain.

Many things can influence its ability to learn a language. One in particular to be consider a “touchy” topic is: social class. Many people believe that hard work is the only thing necessary in order to succeed. That is a remarkable truth. However, it also depends on social economic condition.

Students’ brains from impoverished or low-income backgrounds are not the same when compared to their higher-income peers.

We already know that our brain needs calm, serenity, attention and stimulation to be ready to learn. An environment of low-income families with no history of higher education, frequent access to books, and a stable learning environment at home determines how our brain is ready to assimilate new information.

The lack of motivation leads to drop more easily than their fellow brains for whom higher education is an expected part of life. Studies show that children from low-income backgrounds still tended to be up to eight months behind their higher-income peers in middle school – even with the advantage of hands-on parenting. Researchers believe that some of this is due to the homes these children come from. Those from higher-income households had parents who usually held professional and managerial positions and could afford supplemental tutoring to help them along if they fell behind. On the other hand, lower-income students were more likely to come from families where unemployment was a big issue and where lack of money carried over into scholastic struggles.

Social class can indeed affect all areas of learning. However, what about language in particular? Language suffers more than other standard school subjects because in many countries learning a language is usually consider not important while students are encouraged to excel at math, reading, and science. Actually new language learners are still a little group of fortunate children. Children from middle-class or high income households are more likely to look at language as an asset. They tend to have a clear idea of the benefits and impact being multilingual can have in business and on a global scale. These students are also more prone to travel abroad and interact with people from foreign cultures. Unfortunately, this sometimes means that lower-income kids are left behind, simply because they cannot afford to travel.

Although social class can impact how likely someone is to learn a language, it does not mean doing so is outside of anyone’s reach. Scientists say that anyone is capable of learning a foreign language and in our modern age, the internet has the power of placing the world at our feet. Learning a language has never been so easy with excellent language teachers and free online tools such as language placement tests just a click away.

The power to dominate a new language lies with us. With dedication, discipline, and the right tools, we can do it regardless of our social background.