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Viewing Why Should You Learn a Foreign Language?Why Should You Learn a Foreign Language?
By Kathy Steinemann
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In today's modern world, we are becoming more connected. Electronic gadgets and software are being developed to accommodate a growing number of people learning foreign languages. So - why would YOU want to learn a new language? In today's modern world, we are becoming more connected. Electronic gadgets, websites, software and media are being developed to accommodate a growing number of people learning foreign languages. Why all the excitement? Why would YOU want to learn a new language? The Employment Advantage Many government departments and corporations give preference to bilingual or multilingual job candidates. Sometimes a second language is required. Travel to a Foreign Country Many North Americans expect that English will be spoken no matter where they travel in the world. Although this may be true in large cities, smaller towns and villages may have few English-speaking residents (or none at all). Enjoy the trip - learn at least a few key words and phrases. Family and Relatives Form closer relationships with your relatives who are not native English speakers. Imagine how proud Great Grandma will be when you talk to her in her birth language! Genealogy Investigation Old genealogical records are often recorded in a foreign language. If you are tracing your family tree, the job will become easier with at least some basic language training. Understanding your Native Language A famous German novelist, poet, playwright, and scientist - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - said: 'Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen.' Translated to English, this means: 'Those who don't know foreign languages know nothing of their own.' How true! When you embrace a foreign language, you must refamiliarize yourself with the grammar and vocabulary of your native language. Challenge and Stimulation If you are looking for stimulation and challenge - what better than learning a new language! Appreciation of Opera, Literary Works, and Foreign Films When a work is translated from a foreign language to English, it looses a lot of its flavor. Subtle sounds, meanings, and expressions do not survive the translation process. This is especially true with rhyming poetry. If rhyme is preserved in the translation, the meaning is often dramatically different from the original poet's work. And wouldn't it be fantastic to view a foreign film without reading the subtitles? Appreciation of Culture Understanding a country's language leads inevitably to a much deeper appreciation of its culture and traditions. Where exactly did the term ‘blitzkrieg' come from? What about ‘faux pas' or ‘glasnost'? Stimulate the Intellect Studies show that seniors exhibit improved brain function over a period of time as they learn a foreign language. College students who learn a foreign language as children score better on exams and perform complex tasks better. Learning Teaches Learning The studying techniques and disciplines developed during a foreign language course teach us how to learn. We can employ these skills in many other areas of our lives. Studying Abroad You will require excellent language proficiency if you plan to attend an educational institution in another country. This an unequalled opportunity to grow, develop, and challenge your intellect. Meet New Friends Online With online chat, video conferencing, e-mail, and forums, it is very easy to make new friends from all over the world if you understand their language(s). Make Points with a Date Your bilingual or multilingual date will be impressed by any efforts you make to learn his or her language. And a date who speaks only English will be awed and wooed by hearing some intimate phrases spoken in one of the romance languages. So why the delay? Roll those sleeves up and start learning! (c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included. About the Author: Kathy Steinemann is a busy webmaster and author who enjoys writing German-English stories in parallel translation. She works behind the scenes at several websites, including A-Language-Guide dot com. Article Source: A Language Guide - http://www.a-language-guide.com More free articles: 1st Rate Articles - 1stRateArticles.com |
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