World Languages and Their Positive Impact

Mrs. Hicks shares her journey of learning a new language and the positive impact it can have on an individual 

Mrs. Hicks’ Spanish I class preparing for a test. Photo courtesy of Caitlin Kujawski. 

By Caitlin Kujawski 
March 24, 2025

Toledo, OH- One thing students might not realize about studying a second language is the positive impact it has on the brain. Mrs. Maria Hicks, a Spanish teacher at St. Ursula Academy, shares her journey and why she recommends students learn a second language.

Mrs. Hicks was born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico, before moving to the United States when she was 10 years old. 

When she came to the United States, learning English was definitely a challenge.

“When I moved here I didn’t know any English,” said Mrs. Hicks. 

She and her sister would spend all day at school learning English in a classroom together. If her English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher was not at school that day, she and her sister would have to go to class with the other students, which was difficult for them. 

“We [went from being] top students in our classes to becoming the bottom students”, said Mrs. Hicks. 

Even through the challenges, she gained determination and reminded herself that she could accomplish anything. 

Mrs. Hicks attended Bowling Green State University for college and later became a Spanish teaching instructor for three semesters and a teaching assistant for one semester.

After spending four semesters teaching at BGSU, she came to SUA and has been here for the past five years teaching Spanish. When she came to SUA, she wanted to help others receive all the benefits she received when she learned a second language. 

Learning a second language helps enhance thinking, memorization, problem solving, multitasking, processing information and strengthens the brain overall. Studies have also shown that students taking a foreign language tend to have a higher GPA than those who do not take a foreign language. 

Mrs. Hicks says that there is no age limit when it comes to learning a language. No matter when you start or what language, it will surely leave a positive impact on your brain.

There are endless amounts of possibilities and benefits that come with taking a second language.