In this episode we look at the benefits of learning a second language.

Get excited because this is tiny leaps.

Big changes. Welcome to another episode of Tiny Leaps. Big changes where I share simple strategies

you can use to get more out of your life. My name is Greg Klunis and in virtually every moment of our lives we are surrounded by language, by words.

We use language to convey our emotions and opinions, to communicate with others, and to

comprehend the world around us, all of which relate to our culture.

It's an important part of life,

and as a result, there is real value

to be gained in becoming bilingual.

Bilingualism is defined as attaining proficiency in communicating through any two languages.

And here's a fun fact.

The majority of the planet, the majority of the people on this planet are bilingual or multilingual.

In a 2006 survey conducted by the European Commission,

56% of respondents reported that they could communicate in a language other than their mother tongue.

Many countries have even higher rates of multilingualism.

For example, 99% of Luxembourgers and 95% of Latvians speak more than one language.

Quote, even in the United States, which is widely considered to be monolual, one-fifth of those over the age of five

reported speaking a language other than English at home in 2007, an increase of 140% since 1980, end quote.

Outside of the house, when they are at work

or in the classroom, millions of Americans

speak a language other than English.

It's incredibly important as a way to connect with cultures around you

...