Reasons for learning foreign languages
Ø 1) What are possible reasons for learning foreign languages?
Why do you learn languages? You may have relatives living in Japan, or you want to visit China. Perhaps you have a life-long desire to see Italy or you are planning a vacation in Argentina, or retirement in Costa Rica. All of them are valid reasons for learning a foreign language. Learning for travel is one of the most common reasons to learn a language. There are more opportunities to travel today than there have ever been before, and they are likely to increase in the 21st century Global Village.
Many people learn a language to connect with their roots. You may still have relatives living in the US, or you may just want to define yourself a little bit. Learning the language of your ancestors can open up a whole new understanding of yourself and how you got to be who and where you are now.
The reasons for students to learn languages are many, and not just because you need it to graduate. Learning a language gives insights into other cultures. It creates a more positive attitude toward people who are culturally different and gives us a better understanding of what it’s like to be an immigrant. Accomplishing this life skill will give you increased prestige in your own culture and a markedly increased status in other cultures. It’s a required skill to become a World Citizen.
Do you have a new addition to the family by marriage? Learning even a little of your new family members’ language can bring both families closer together. Or maybe you’re looking for love yourself. Think of the possibilities when you learn another language. The increase in possible social contacts is tremendous!
To learn a language for career advancement is one of the best ways to get ahead in the job market. Surprisingly, language learners improve their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in their mother tongue as well as in the new language they are learning. Overall communication skills improve, and that is a boon to any potential employer. For the business owner or entrepreneur, it is even more important for you to maximize your ability to communicate with employees, clients, or potential business contacts.
Learning a language also develops analytical skills, improves problem solving ability and increases flexible thinking and creativity. If you have your own business, there is an even greater need for you to cultivate these abilities in yourself.
Learning a foreign language improves your overall job skills, and makes you more valuable as an employee. It also broadens your potential career options, should you decide on a different career path.
Knowledge of a foreign language can make you more valuable to your company, giving you a better chance for promotion, reassignment, relocation or pay raise.
Obviously, learning a second language could get you a possible assignment in another country. The potential experience you gain could lead to a whole new plateau in your career, or a new career opportunity altogether.
The current climate of globalization is most likely to stay. More and more businesses are becoming internationalized by mergers and acquisitions. Multinational businesses, global corporations, conglomerates, and joint ventures are increasingly common. This means that learning another language is essential if you are going to be involved in any international business.
Fewer employers are looking for specialized skills and abilities nowadays. Prospective employers are increasingly looking for more adaptable workers with wide ranging abilities and flexible skill sets. General business skills, communication abilities and foreign language skills are the type more employers are seeking today.
The opportunities here are tremendous. From your employer’s or clients’ point of view, you double your potential list of business contacts when you add a new language to your arsenal. It’s a way to gain a powerful advantage over your competitors.
We could probably add many more examples to this short list, but the point is made. When you learn another language, you add important skills to your repertoire and increase your value and you make an investment in yourself. When you leverage that investment in your private or business life, you can profit from the rewards for the rest of your life.
Lots of the reasons above pertain to me, but my reason for learning English is much simpler - because I enjoy learning foreign languages!
Ø 2) Generalize the reasons for learning foreign languages based on the text examples.
Ø 3) Explain the expressions: “the 21st century Global Village,” “a World Citizen.”
Ø 4) Prove that “If you learn a foreign language, you make an investment in yourself.”
Ø 5) Find the author’s major reason for learning foreign languages and talk about your own reasons for learning English and other foreign languages.