I don’t know if you will agree with me but I have learned from various resources that for all the people in the world, the major indicators of identity and important factors in development, communication, education and social integration are languages.  It has been said many times that languages are very important since they connect people together with better communication and harmony.

Cultural diversity is one characteristic being accentuated by languages and since globalization has put many languages under serious threat of harm or extinction; cultural diversity is also on the way to being debilitated.  A lot of things in cultures such as traditions, distinct expressions and thinking styles, and memories will surely be under heavy strain or will eventually disappear from existence once languages will not be preserved.  I believe in that too that is why I think learning new a language or more is essential.

One of the best solutions to this growing problem of language threat will be the promotion of multilingualism.  People who are speakers of a mother-tongue are encouraged to use and promote their language to their local community, in their country and in the world; and they are encouraged to learn and use other regional and/or international languages as well.  That way, languages will remain active not just in the communities where they originated from but also in other parts of the planet.  So if I were you, aside from learning new languages, I should also preserve my mother-tongue or first language.

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages.  UNESCO will be the lead agency to promote the said event since the language issues are fundamental to its education, social and human sciences, sciences, information, culture, and communication mandates.  UNESCO has encouraged its partner organizations to promote and protect all available languages, especially the endangered ones, in all collective and individual situations.  It will be great help to UNESCO if we do our parts too even in our own little ways.

There are numerous ways on how to promote language and multilingualism projects such as research and analysis, network development, information dissemination, capacity building, awareness promotion and varied local, regional or global outreach programs among the few.  Most of these activities are interrelated but they can also attend to particular issues.  Educational projects which promote quality learning by supporting bilingual and multilingual education especially with the use of the mother-tongue at all formal and non-formal aspects will surely be able to help promote multilingualism together with culture-centered projects on cultural diversity; social and human sciences endeavors focusing on human and cultural rights and languages; science projects aimed at developing and disseminating of information to overcome language barriers in different communities; and information and communication projects which concentrate on building and promoting linguistic and cultural diversity in international media and information networks.

If you are really concerned with language preservation and learning, better do your part by participating in events and projects which are supported by your local community, national government or international organizations.  Your part in safeguarding your mother-tongue and learning new languages will eventually make you a good resource for the promotion of multilingualism.  If you want to alleviate your multiple language skills yet you are in need of funding; try searching for scholarships, grants or financial aid from different educational, government and private institutions which sponsor language learning studies either on a short term or long term basis. It is never too late to help preserve languages and promote multilingualism.  Learn new languages, and help preserve them!

Learning a foreign language is one of the most interesting and beneficial educational activities that one can take advantage of especially during summer.  However, some of those who are interested in summer language learning do no have enough money to fund their language studies.  Are you one of them?  Still wondering how will you finance your language learning activities this summer then?  Don’t worry because there are so many ways on how to look for money which can help you with your language endeavor.  Read on and better try all of them out!

One of the many ways on how to fund your summer language studies is to search for free scholarships or grants.  Try searching on the internet for free scholarships and grants funded by your government or by private sectors.  Be patient in going through the terms and qualifications and how to apply for those scholarships and grants.  There could be a tight competition for international grants and scholarships so you should be aware that there will be lot of interested applicants who would want to be rewarded with scholarships; prepare to submit your best qualifications in order to be one of the lucky beneficiaries.

Another way to fund your language studies will be by inquiring information from your school.  Most schools and universities have departments which assist their students in finding funding for educational prospects, have scholarships and some offer financial assistance to those who are in need.  Scholarships and grants which are campus-based are less competitive than those on an international or national level so you should apply for them whenever there is available funding.  While in your school or campus, don’t forget to go to the best information center—the library!  The library is an information hub that will surely help you with finding information for educational funding.  Scholarships, financial aid, fellowships, and grants can be found among the many directories in your school library so better head there and ask assistance from the librarian.

You can also seek financial help from local organizations in your community which offer support for language studies.  Language associations, cultural organizations, and other society-based groups can help you with your language interests by helping you financially and/or arranging programs for you through exchanges or through scholarships.

One more option for you to acquire funding will be through financial aid funded by your government.  Most governments in various countries sponsor different kinds of financial aids from grants, to work study, to loans.  You should also be aware that some of these available grants and loans can also be used for studying abroad!  You can apply for government funding either online or in government offices, such as the education department among others, which handles such concerns.  Some programs funded by the government might also help arrange your other needs for your studies abroad.

So what are you waiting for?  Summer is just around the corner so you better start searching and applying for available scholarships or study grants right now so you can take advantage of an exciting and fulfilling summer language learning program abroad!

An ideal summer for anybody young or young at heart has got to have fun, fun, and more fun in it!  However, fun has a relative definition for every individual.  Others might think of summer fun as doing favorite hobbies or interests, or going away on a vacation, or earning money through a summer job, or enrolling in a program that increases one’s knowledge.  Others might think of summer fun in other ways I have not mentioned yet but among the things I’ve already said, there is one option that will fit all the kinds of fun I’ve stated earlier: learning a foreign language abroad while working as an intern!  When you decide to learn a foreign language abroad and work as an intern, you will surely have one enjoyable summer!

Learning a foreign language abroad while working as an intern has a lot of interesting and amusing experiences lined up your way.  Learning a foreign language will be really cool and
remarkable since you will get to add a substantial amount of knowledge and skill that will be beneficial to you for your further studies or future career.  Learning a foreign language has its rewards such as being able to communicate with more people who speak your target foreign language; being able to enjoy different forms of media such as books, music, films and more available only in that language; and being able to explore the culture where that language is spoken; and being able to expand your marketability when looking for a job which gives plus points to those who speak other foreign languages.  Learning a foreign language opens a lot of doors for you so you better go and start learning now!

Learning a foreign language abroad contributes fun to the whole language learning experience.  Learning in the place or country where a language is spoken will enable you to travel, see, discover and explore a different place and an interesting culture!  You will also have a chance to meet new people in the place where you will be learning a foreign language; be exposed to and learn from a culture which may be totally different from yours; and get to visit places which may be the pride of their country or of the whole world.

Learning a foreign language abroad while working as an intern will help you expand your horizons and help you gain more experience for your field of study or for your own personal interests.  When working as an intern, you will be able to have first-hand knowledge of how it is to work in a foreign land; you will be able to enhance your knowledge in the field you will be working as an intern; and improve your language skills which will be very useful while you work.  Being able to experience life as an intern in a different country can also add more advantages for your studies or career in the future; an internship can also teach you values such as hard work, discipline, camaraderie, and professionalism.  Most internship programs also have incentives for interns such as stipend and/or academic credits; but the greatest reward will have to be your experience.

To be able to have a totally fun experience learning a foreign language in another coutnry while working as an intern, it is better if you apply for grants or programs which could help shoulder your expenses or which could help arrange most of the things you will be needing such as the work and workplace where you will serve as an intern, accommodations, meals, travel, and other important things.  Being able to be a part of a program or being a recipient of an educational summer grant will be something worthwhile.

If I were you, I shall start searching and applying for available grants which I can take advantage of this summer right at this moment.  Summer is just around the corner and who knows, I might be able to have a lot of fun learning a new language in a foreign country while I work as an intern after all!