Argumentative essay

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
Should students be required to learn a foreign language?
Plan:

1. 
   Introduction. Knowledge of a foreign language helps to make a good impression.
   
2. 
   Main part. Career growth.
   
3. 
   Conclusion. Learning foreign languages expands your horizons.
   

Introduction.
Is it worth studying foreign languages? Of course it's worth it! And there are many reasons for this. In this article I have tried to list the most important of them.
Knowledge of a foreign language helps to make a good impression. In the possession of a foreign language, if you think about it, there is nothing surprising. As I mentioned earlier, bilingualism (and even trilingualism) is the norm in many countries. But in Russia, where according to the All—Russian Population Census, even such a common language as English is spoken by only about 5% of the population, the ability to speak a foreign language makes a very favorable impression - both on friends and relatives, and on potential employers. Of course, this should not be the main reason for learning a language, otherwise your motivation will quickly evaporate, but this is a pleasant "side effect".
Development of such useful qualities as self-confidence, willpower and self-control. Learning a foreign language is not an easy, but rewarding activity that remarkably increases self—esteem and self-confidence. In the process, you will have to overcome your own laziness and insecurity more than once, meet new people, and it is likely to go on a journey that you would not have dared otherwise. Whoever promised you anything, it is impossible to learn a foreign language in a week, and it is unlikely to be done in a month. In most cases, a tangible effect appears no earlier than 3-4 months of regular classes, and regular classes for a long time is a wonderful chance to develop willpower and self—control. The more often you train these qualities, the stronger they become. Agree, faith in your strength and the ability to manage your time will not be superfluous to anyone!
Learning foreign languages promotes brain development. In Sweden, studies have been conducted that have clearly shown the relationship between learning a foreign language and the growth of some parts of the brain. The training program for military interpreters in Sweden is very intensive: students are given 13 months to master a new foreign language. Moreover, given the specifics of their work, you need to learn the language not at the level of the ability to explain yourself to the hotel staff or read the morning newspaper, but really well, at the level of solving issues related to international security. The MRI scan, which was performed by the students before and after 3 months of intensive training, showed the growth of the hippocampus and three different areas of the cortex. The hippocampus is a part of the limbic system of the brain, which is responsible, among other things, for storing information in long—term memory and orientation in space. It is curious that the students who had the most significant brain growth were learning the language faster than others
There are also studies according to which the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in bilinguals appear on average 4.5 years later than in those who speak only one language.
All these changes are certainly very positive. Perhaps for someone they will become an additional argument for learning a foreign language?
(If you are interested in how our brain works, then I advise you to read popular science books "The Brain. Quick guide. Everything You Need to Know to Increase Productivity and Reduce Stress" by Jack Lewis and Adrian Webster or "Brain Rules. What you and your children should know about the brain" by John Medina).
The opportunity to travel in a new way. The trip does not necessarily have to be limited to a week at the hotel and photos of yourself against the background of attractions. Knowledge of a foreign language, even at an elementary level, will completely change your travel experience. Firstly, it is convenient, since you will be able to explain yourself at the airport, hotel and cafe, ask for directions from passers-by, and chat with sellers in stores. Secondly, it will give you more freedom, allow you to meet new people, and wander into unpopular places with tourists, but no less (and often much more!) interesting places. You can also use guest networks, such as Couchsurfing, and save on a hotel and a guide