The benefits of learning English as a second language

In an increasingly globalized world made even more interconnected by advancements in internet technology and social media, the non-native English speaker should seriously consider learning the language. After all, English is the dominant language used in commerce and tourism. 

Image source: genlish.com

Although English is not necessarily the most spoken language worldwide (Chinese Mandarin and Spanish are), it is the globally accepted language for communication. Interacting across cultures has been best realized using the national language of the United Kingdom and the United States. People traveling the world, migrating, or visiting tourism sites would do well to have an ability to speak English as more and more infrastructures throughout the globe have been set up to accommodate the language. 

Aside from English being the international language of business, having a second language in the first place have benefits to our mental health. A second language improves brain function while likewise stimulating brain activity. As people go about translating things in their head, they get a better grasp of how language is different among cultures and people. They also get a better picture of what it is to look at things from another point of view. 

Today, more and more people speak English more than their own native language, a testimony to the importance of communicating better with others, regardless of race and countries of origin. If you want to participate in truly global conversations, then English is the lingua franca of choice. 

Image source: oxforddictionaries.com

Edgar Gonzalez is an entrepreneur currently living in Santa Ana, California. Hailing from Mexico, he moved to Orange County in 1993 and studied English as a second language, firm on chasing his dream of one day becoming an entrepreneur. Visit this Twitter accountfor similar updates.

What Do Paralegals Do And How Can They Help Lawyers?

Simply put, a paralegal does legal work delegated by a lawyer.  This means that an attorney is ultimately responsible for the output of paralegals.  While paralegals can be found in many organizations, they mostly work for law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies.

Paralegals perform a variety of tasks that include clerical work like maintaining and organizing files.  They likewise work as writers, drafting documents and conducting legal research.  They can be hired to help lawyers during trials by investigating facts of cases, keeping relevant case information in computer databases, and soliciting formal statements and affidavits that could be used as evidence in court.

Image source: paralegalhow.com

In bigger firms, some paralegals are employed to work only on a particular stage of a case.  For example, a litigation paralegal might be tasked to draft settlement agreements and prepare trial documents, but not be required to attend trials.  In any case, they may be assigned various responsibilities based on specialized areas, from corporate law and bankruptcy, to real estate and family law.

As a career option, paralegal employment is seen to grow 17 percent by 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.   Experienced and formally trained ones with good computer and database management skills should get the upper hand.

Image source: mtsac.edu

Finally, paralegals are not law clerks, as while the latter are often given work similar to a paralegal’s, they are typically legal professionals who’ve already completed law school and get their lawyering start in firms as a clerk.  Their compensations are thus almost always higher.

Edgar Gonzalez is an entrepreneur based in Santa Ana, California. Hailing from Mexico, he moved to Orange County in 1993 to further his education, attending paralegal classes at Fullerton College while working at different restaurants at night. For related reads, check out this blog.