As a child, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by different languages and cultures. Growing up in France, I learned French as my first language but began studying English at the age of seven.

When I moved to Canada, I was immersed in a complete Anglophone environment. I soon became fluent in English as well. Mastering a different set of vocabulary and expressions and having the ability to explore literature of an entirely different linguistic world was a wonderful asset in school.

As I grew older and began studying Hebrew, I found it easier to learn grammar structures and vocabulary. Already knowing more than one language allows one to understand the effort and diligence required to master another.

Soon, learning new languages became enjoyable and a welcome challenge. My knowledge of French has helped me with studying Hebrew and Spanish. I hope to be able to learn more languages as I grow older.

Being bilingual requires constant effort to maintain a certain aptitude and mastery over two different sets of rules, vocabularies, and grammar structures. This sort of discipline can be applied to different academic subjects.

In past years when I studied challenging novels, I used to make index cards with difficult vocabulary. Afterwards, I would sit down and copy them until I knew them all by heart and would push myself to incorporate them in my next writing assignment.

Similarly, today, as I study novels that I no longer find challenging, I will still find myself adding words to the vocabulary notebook I keep for English class.

More importantly, knowing different languages has helped me treat them with more care. I see them not as a set of words I was handed down as a child, but as something I have worked hard to master.

I utilize but do not exploit the languages I speak. This sort of respect for learning has helped me find both patience and determination in my other academic endeavors. I give more attention to how I use these languages.

I think twice before I speak, constantly edit my essays and apply myself in my writing. All of this is to truly honor the language that at one point seemed like an insurmountable intellectual challenge and that I use daily.

This sort of distancing has helped me respect the art of language. I am especially conscientious in my literature classes and in my public speaking. I remember always being at ease with public speaking and expressed my ideas eloquently when I participated in my former high school’s debate team.

I know that each word I use I have learned from years of experience, and that their weight should not be taken lightly. I know I should honor the language by not wasting or misusing words.

Being bilingual has given me both the skills to study diligently and a respect for the spoken and written word. I hope to always challenge myself to study and master new languages.

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