10 Ways to Look Smarter Than You Are

3) Speak a Second Language

We’ve all been wowed by a friend or colleague who has suddenly revealed themselves to be multi-lingual. People who know a second, third, fourth or even fifth language are often assumed to be intelligent, particularly if the language is unusual or perceived to be hard to learn. It is also assumed that those who speak another language are worldlier and more cultured than those who do not. Not only can learning a second language make you appear smarter, it can actually make you smarter too. Learning a new languages requires a high level of mental agility and once you’ve actually learned a new language you are able to perform certain mental tasks better than those who only know one. Multi-lingual people are able to process information more quickly, are generally better communicators and are able to switch between certain mental tasks with greater ease. Speaking a second language also looks great on your CV and can open doors for you in the workplace.