Reasons for Learning a Modern, Non-English Foreign Language
English is spoken by 322 million native speakers and therefore is the third most popular language after Chinese and Spanish. Furthermore, there are 300 million people worldwide who use English as a second language and further 100 million who use it as a foreign language. It is the most important language in the science, aviation, computing, diplomatic and tourism fields.
I think that film, television, music, school and business all greatly help you to learn to speak English. But would it not be interesting to learn another language besides English? Speaking a modern foreign language today is incredibly beneficial in both social and work life. Because of this, Abroadlanguages.com offers you language schools in countries such as: France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Egypt, China and Japan.
It could be that you feel frightened to visit a foreign country where they speak a language you never heard or spoken before. Or perhaps the country has different cultural habits that are unknown to you: If this is the case, I would recommend you to go to a country close to home. It also could be that you do not want to lose your friends from home. If so, I am telling you: if these friends are really your best friends, they will support your life choices, not abandon you!
In the case that you have no fears but had simply never thought of doing a language course before, I have listed some reasons why you should learn a new, non-English language. Whilst the time is apt, I dare you to give it a try!
Foreign languages broaden your horizon!
• Learning a language opens your eyes to completely new worlds – there are already so many films/television shows that show American/UK culture; by learning a different language you will expose yourself to a culture outside of these limits.
• It might be difficult at first sight to do a course like this in a country where you do not speak the language yet. However, this can also be a motivator as you learn so much each week and everyone (including you) will notice amazing improvement in your language skill as soon as you start.
• If you are a travel fan, speaking the native language of the country – not just intermediary English – will greatly help you to integrate yourself in the local lifestyle. You will also convey to the locals that you are willing to adapt and have a respect for their culture, something which reflects incredibly well and can open doors to new opportunities.
• Most languages have a long history and many have been derived from other languages (for example Italian and Portuguese from Latin). It is interesting to learn about this process and it makes you understand the culture of the country better.
• You can travel without any language difficulties throughout the country.
• You can even live and work in the country where the language you learnt is spoken.
Positively expand your curriculum!
• Learning a language other than English looks impressive on any type of job application and it will always help you to stand out – for certain, there will never be many applicants fluent in Polish…
• Many employees consider a second foreign language as a Standard when applying for a job.
• Speaking an exotic language or a language that has been recently highlighted in the news can be a competitive advantage for you, in the media business, for example.
• English is known by almost everyone. However, if you know a language which is not English, this makes you “special” among your friends, family, school and work.
• In places such as England, foreign languages are not studied a lot. It would be easier for someone who speaks a language which is not English, to get a job where languages are required.
• As well as helping you to get great jobs in your own country, by speaking a different language, you will be able to work throughout the world in your chosen career. Furthermore, there maybe new types of careers which you could love yet only exist in the specific country you have learnt the language; you give yourself so much choice by learning a new language!
• Not only will you make friends learning this language, you may also make contacts for your future career – a head start on anyone else and much more fun than career fairs!
• If you already speak some English, learning another language can open up career options in translation – a career which you take you into any business field, in any country.
• You can decide to become a language teacher yourself after your experiences abroad once you reach the required language level and achieve your diploma.
Develop more skills in life!
• Learning a language helps you to gain a better understanding of your own language – the origins of words, its grammatical structure, perhaps even new vocabulary. Each of these factors will help you to develop an all round better style of speaking and writing.
• Not every country of the world has English as its second language such as China. You can differentiate yourself from others by learning a new, less common language and avoid communication problems.
• In countries such as Egypt, France and Spain, it is not so common to speak and understand English. In order to still be able to communicate in social environments and in business, speaking and understanding the local language comes across as a nice touch and demonstrates a desire to learn about local culture.
• Learning foreign languages increases listening comprehension, creativity, critical thinking and capacity for remembering.
• You will develop a whole host of new skills – from structural analysis to problem solving, these new skills will not only give you more confidence in the working world but also demonstrate to employers that you have an ability to learn things from outside of the norm.
• Communicating with foreign persons is easier so you can learn a lot about other opinions, customs.
• You will be able to enjoy watching a movie and reading a book or a newspaper it in its original language.
You get to know more friends!
• You will make international friends and networks which are completely different from those you had before. These friends will serve to educate you about the real culture of the country and help you understand the language in more depth.
• You do not have to be alone in class. Students who do a language course in a foreign country are in the same position as you and also look for friends and educational support. They will have similar interests and are willing to learn, like you. You can study together, have interactive discussions, but also enjoy the local culture, food, nightlife etcetera.
Go for a fun experience!
Above all else, language learning is fun! Learning a language other than English is usually done from scratch as there is little influence from TV, cinema or celebrity culture as with English media. The fact that the class will all be at a beginner’s level helps create a bond – everyone is in it together and it is always with the first stages you see such a rapid change in language level – a great motivator!
Good Luck!
My best regards,
Lisette Croese
August 6th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
yes this is it what i wanted u encouraged me like any thing i ll definatly learn one foreign laguage
October 25th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
I very will be very happy if i will be accepted.
October 28th, 2007 at 3:45 am
Yes I fully agree with all what Ms Lisette said.I’ve already made a decision to set up ” The Belvédère Center Of Languages” in Tunis (Tunisia).We are going to teach arabic as a foreign language.We think that our future students will have an exciting experience and will enjoy living in a country that has a very open minded people, a clement weather and nice beachs.If you would like to know more about that please feel free to write me.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:52 am
I do agree a lot of what’s Lisette had said. English is not the only language that must or could be learn throughout. It’s very advantage and impressing if an individual does speak not just one English, as the widely known language, but also the other languages globally. As for now, many of foreign people are coming in the our country. And its good if we could converse them easily using their language, right?
I myself want to learn Korean language. I even asked my my student last night if learning their language is easy. She answered me that its so HARD. It’s because Korean language has lots of vowels,and it’s alphabets are so different from English alphabets, in terms of stressing, it’s number and it’s sounds combination. For her, its too difficult for them to teach non-Korean speakers with their language. She’s right, it’s because, as we know, each language has its own system. But still, nothing is impossible to learn under the sun!
I’m so much fun with their language. I love listening them talking-the way they call and speak with each other, is very pleasing to ears for me! I like their language intonation. The Korean words which I know now are ‘Milong’ (which is teasing one), ‘Unyei’ (means, ATE for Filipino, elder sister), ‘anyung aseyu’ ( greetings).
I really have to learn more languages aside from English, Filipino (our mother tongue) and our Visayan dialect. The most I want , is Korean (for now). If only there are alternative or scholarship grants for learning Korean language too…
December 6th, 2007 at 6:24 am
Why English language is not the only one to learn? Wow! It’s because English is not the only one revolving around the world. There are more other languages that lots of people are using. They are numerous, in which,we people must have to adopt (we have to accept it then, that we really have to). Why? Many of our fellow men who are much ambitious to extend their world by going exploring other countries. Of course, they must have to learn the language first wherever country it would be.
Also, it’s not only the English language does have the role of global economy, as well as the other languages, so with other nationalities particularly. Hypothetically speaking, English is not the only key of bringing every body in the world in unity. How about the Cantonese, Filipino, Russian, and many more to mention ways of communication? Those too are essential in the world (as what the blog says then).
In recent days, lots of nationals do going and coming in any country they prefer to stay, or to study other language. One of those country is Philippines. In Mindanao, you could easily see many foreigner ( Korean Specially), are rather stay and get educate in the country. They prefer to it because they rely much to Filipino teachers to teach them. Thus, it makes the Filipino teachers have difficulty to teach them because what they know is only English, but not Korean. It would be useful if those teacher too would learn Korean languages, right? By then, they could teach and interact immediately with their Korean students. But it’s not yet late! Still probability is given. Why not give yourselves a chance to learn it teachers?!
December 7th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Thanks Lisette for posting those possible reasons, why we should learn modern non-English foreign language. I do agree with that, and you remind me of my funny experience, which triggered me ambitioning to venture around the globe to learn new languages.
There were times that I could hardly, respond to the people I’m talking with. They are using foreign language, and its not easy to deal with them, if communication problem is therein. My English didn’t work to them, because even them, don’t know the language I’m using. I think it’s time for all of us to learn more foreign languages! We are needing it now a days, and its not just an ambition.
Also, its chances to fly all over the world spheres would be great then. Confidence and good opportunity would voluntarily come along our ways, if we learn the new form of non-English foreign languages. By thinking those reasons above to learn more modern languages, our lucks in life would excel.
Also, if we could learn it, chances for us to teach others would be in great advantage!
Sounds great! Learning the language, using it in daily, teaching others, and more work opportunities!
December 10th, 2007 at 5:44 am
I have my own reason too, why every one should know foreign languages aside English. Basically, for me, its the financial aspect. It does hinder me to learn more modern languages. I know, and you know, that it would need enough financial support to learn them. Also, our parents. How come? It’s because, once I would tell them that I want to study again , they would immediately react! They think its just a luxury and a waste of time.
They are right! It’s very time consuming and would spend more money, but the outcome well be worth! Who could imagine that one of their children well excel? It’s very worth-taking and great fortune for me then! How i wish they would let me to learn them. If I could learn Cantonese, probably, it would be easy for me to venture to China! I want to learn it because its one of the modern non-English languages, that are essential to the world now.Its more advantage to have it learned, as well as dealing with those people using it. How i wish to make it possible!
In accordance with the text above and to those commentors, i do appreciate with the idea of learning other languages.Thus, it creates vitality to anybody aspiring to learn it; as well as to strengthened the integrity of the nation they belong. So, now, i really want to burst out to say that, ‘learning other languages aside English is really an adventure!’
November 16th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Learning a foreign language is important and can boost your career.At Smart Training Company we teach Arabic and we hope that many students will join our school and have the opportunity to master a language that is becoming very useful