Why study a foreign language?
All over the world, people are studying and learning English as a foreign or second language. When I visit Europe, I am impressed with how many people there speak several languages ~ fluently! English is always among those languages.
One complaint I hear about the United States, over and over again, is that we don't know foreign languages. We just assume everyone will learn English, and we don't make the effort to learn another language. Of course, anyone who has attended public school in this country probably had to take a foreign language ~ Spanish or French or German seem to be the most common although, in recent years, Japanese is gaining popularity. But most people, unless they go on to major in a language in college, simply learn long enough to pass the exams, and then forget it.
In this lens, I hope to inspire you to take up a language to study on your own, for business or pleasure. There are many good reasons to study a foreign language. Let's take a look, shall we?
Contents at a Glance
- A funny look at why you should study a language other than English!
- Best Reasons to Study a Foreign Language
- Seriously, there are some very good reasons to study a foreign language
A funny look at why you should study a language other than English!
from AvisoAd.com
Best Reasons to Study a Foreign Language
Do you agree? Disagree? Vote the reasons up or down, add your own, grab the list, whatever you fancy.
You can begin to understand another culture
Learn a foreign language, gain insight into that c more...2 points
Our nation may depend on it!
As I read and watch the news, it seems that more a more...2 points
Increase your employment prospects
A good example is that knowing French and English more...2 points
You can impress your friends
There is some strange fascination with hearing a f more...1 point
Seriously, there are some very good reasons to study a foreign language
(or two!)
It is very noticeable to me how few people there are in the USA who don't know a foreign language at all, and who have no interest in it. So I know I may be "preaching to the choir" here, but I feel compelled to add my voice to the discussion, if there is one.....
It seems normal and natural for people of a nation to feel ethnocentric, to feel that their country and cultural habits are the most logical or the best. Of course, why wouldn't we feel that way, especially if we know nothing else? This is to be expected, and I don't argue that it shouldn't be that way. It simply is.
However, that doesn't mean our ethnocentric feelings are correct. Many of our cultural habits are simply arbitrary ~ why do we (and folks in many countries) drive on the right, and people in many other countries drive on the left? Totally arbitrary, I think. It doesn't mean the "other" side drivers are wrong, or illogical. It's just different, nothing to be judged.
Why do some Asian cultures eat with chopsticks, while Western cultures prefer a knife and fork? I have heard it said that eating with chopsticks allowed the heavily made-up geisha of Japan to eat without disturbing their lipstick.
I think it is the food itself. People in Western cultures traditionally ate more meat than those in Asia. Most meat is impossible to tear apart easily with chopsticks. Steak, leg of lamb, pork chops, chicken... a one-handed tearing with chopsticks is rarely possible. Fish cooks up soft, and is easily broken apart into small morsels with chopsticks. And sashimi is already cut into bite-sized pieces.
Does this mean one way is better than the other? No, of course not. It is simply the way the cultures evolved. Learning the language of a culture vastly different from your own can be a key to cross-cultural understanding.
It seems normal and natural for people of a nation to feel ethnocentric, to feel that their country and cultural habits are the most logical or the best. Of course, why wouldn't we feel that way, especially if we know nothing else? This is to be expected, and I don't argue that it shouldn't be that way. It simply is.
However, that doesn't mean our ethnocentric feelings are correct. Many of our cultural habits are simply arbitrary ~ why do we (and folks in many countries) drive on the right, and people in many other countries drive on the left? Totally arbitrary, I think. It doesn't mean the "other" side drivers are wrong, or illogical. It's just different, nothing to be judged.
Why do some Asian cultures eat with chopsticks, while Western cultures prefer a knife and fork? I have heard it said that eating with chopsticks allowed the heavily made-up geisha of Japan to eat without disturbing their lipstick.
I think it is the food itself. People in Western cultures traditionally ate more meat than those in Asia. Most meat is impossible to tear apart easily with chopsticks. Steak, leg of lamb, pork chops, chicken... a one-handed tearing with chopsticks is rarely possible. Fish cooks up soft, and is easily broken apart into small morsels with chopsticks. And sashimi is already cut into bite-sized pieces.
Does this mean one way is better than the other? No, of course not. It is simply the way the cultures evolved. Learning the language of a culture vastly different from your own can be a key to cross-cultural understanding.
In case that point is not clear...
This is funny to me ~ but also shows very well some ethnocentric stereotypes about people from other cultures.
Irreverent, perhaps, but I laughed. Enjoy it!
Irreverent, perhaps, but I laughed. Enjoy it!
Say Hello! or I Love You!
This boy's language skills earn him an income
Quite a salesman, this child knows what is needed to attract customers: speaking their language! He's got one of the concepts about influencing others DOWN: speaking the other's language.
What Language do YOU Want to Study?
Imagine what you could do if you had that level of confidence speaking one or more foreign languages! I've studied six languages other than my native English, but am only that confident in Japanese. I envy that boy....
If you want to test the waters before committing to any language study, here are some great ways to do just that. I've found six language study programs that promise results quickly, and allow you to try them FREE for six days. So, if you're looking for results in American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish, just follow the links to get more information.
If you want to test the waters before committing to any language study, here are some great ways to do just that. I've found six language study programs that promise results quickly, and allow you to try them FREE for six days. So, if you're looking for results in American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish, just follow the links to get more information.
Think you can't learn a foreign language?
A Language School TV Commercial
Let your voice be heard!
Some people live to learn foreign languages and communicate with people in other countries. Other people think everyone should learn their language, or go home. Where do you stand on the issue?
Is foreign language study important?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes! Language learning goes both ways (mine to yours, yours to mine.)
ABC says:
I think you should learn the language of the country your living in. That includes foreigners in the United States as well as Americans in other countries.
Posted December 19, 2008
EditorDave says:
Of Course!
On the other hand, if you are going to LIVE in a country, it helps to learn the language of the country you're living in. It works in Japan, Germany, Russia, France, China... so it should also work in the U.S. I've learned Japanese, Russian, Mandarin, and Tagalog... and it definitely helps when I visit those countries!
Posted September 14, 2008
says:
I am French and I live in Ireland; I couldn't imagine not being able to spaeak the language of the country I live in; I even took an Irish (Gaelic) language course even though everyone here speaks English.
American tourists that are not willing to speak a word of French when they are visiting the country are seen as very rude (and yes, they are made fun of, even though they may not be aware of this, what with not being able to understand!) by their hosts.
Posted August 19, 2008
No, I see no reason to learn another language.
You can teach English overseas!
I promote all foreign language learning! I studied six foreign languages, and I taught English as a Foreign Language. I highly recommend it!!
Here are some great links to finding jobs teaching English abroad.
Here are some great links to finding jobs teaching English abroad.
- ESL Jobs TEFL Jobs Teach English Abroad
- Find jobs teaching English from Argentina to Vietnam, and many others in between!
- Teaching English Abroad: The Essential Job Resources
- Find links about teaching abroad, from job listings to country information, and living overseas. The complete package!
- Teach Abroad: International Teaching Positions
- International Teaching Positions at GoAbroad.com: Comprehensively organized directory of jobs for teaching abroad.
- Study Abroad, Volunteer, Intern, Teach
- GoAbroad.com is the comprehensive on-line source for study abroad, language schools, overseas internships, international volunteer positions, teach abroad, jobs abroad, us universities, eco-travel around the world, and a whole lot more!
- Teaching English Abroad @ Yahoo HotJobs
- View the Teaching Jobs. Teaching English Abroad. FREE Placement! ALL Degrees! job description at Footprints and apply today on Yahoo! HotJobs
- English International, TEFL/TESL
- The ESL Cafe's Dave Sperling says that Jeff Mohamed's Teaching English Overseas: A TEFL Jobs Guide "is truly the finest job guide available for Americans ...
- The ESL Job Center
- This is one of my favorite sites for finding EFL teaching jobs overseas.
- O-Hayo Sensei: The Newsletter of (Teaching) Jobs in Japan
- O-Hayo Sensei is a free, twice-monthly newsletter that researches and lists currently available teaching (and other English language-related) positions in Japan. Each issue typically reports 100+ positions across Japan.
- Go for broke, Japan! | The Japan Times Online
- The person shouting this is a close friend ~ a Japanese English instructor ~ who with looping earrings, sliding bracelets and multiringed fingers shows more metal than a brass band. She's noisier too, with a big-eyed, rubber-tongued enthusiasm for her work....
The Pink Panther Learns English
Steve Martin portrays the famous French detective, learning to speak English. (Well, at least he tries...)
Some other great sites about learning languages
- Linglot Foreign Language Blog
- I think it's fun to read about people who have made significant achievements in the language-learning world. It's inspiring to know that learning two, three, four, or even more languages is definitely possible, and is something that people today are accomplishing.
- Foreign Language Schools
- If you are interested in differenct cultures and learning new languages, this website is definitely a good start for you. Included are lists of language schools, language games and travel tips for language students.
- EDSITEment
- Links to websites and lesson plans for teachers of many languages.
- Foreign Language and Culture
- Information about language and culture from Arabic to Yugoslavian, and over 50 other languages in between.
A Funny Italian Lesson
This guy should could use a bit more language study...
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- A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved...
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- Like many cities in the United States, Wichita, Kansas is a community of cultures. Here are decedents of the original Indian tribes, early white and black settlers, Mexican, Vietnamese, Laotian, and other cultures. People still come to Wichita, fresh from other lands or other parts of the...
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- This is a morbid lens, I know. But it's a thought that passes through my mind every once in awhile, and I don't know what the answer is. How will my friends ~ virtual and otherwise ~ know it when I die? Those who live in the same town as I do, or with whom we share mutual friends and at least one...
Konnichiwa! Bon giorno! Guten tag!
I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my lens, and Good Luck to you in your foreign language pursuits.
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- utradesports utradesports Nov 12, 2008 @ 6:33 am
- I did some traveling in Europe. I wish I had learned some other languages. Great lens 5/5*
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- jiao fan! jiao fan! Oct 29, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
- i know 4 languages and i'm only 13! i recently have taken a trip to china. i stayed there for 16 days and it was AWESOME! i know english, shainsh, mandrin chinese(speaking and writing), and american sign language. i have high expectations for myself.i plan to finish college in 3 1/2 years and learn about 7 languages. i want to travel the world, and live in Hong Kong. i really hope i can accomplish all of these.
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- EditorDave EditorDave Sep 14, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
- Great lens! Doomo arigato gozaimasu! Taihen tanoshii desu! Cpacibo--rad pozhnakhomitsye! Another reason to learn another language? --You can further enjoy watching their movies, like those I've presented on my lens on Japanese Movies! I also like Russian and Chinese movies--and even have some Tagalog and Spanish movies... all so much more fun when watching when you don't have to rely on the subtitles! Thanks for visiting my lenses!
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- Tom_Antion Tom_Antion Sep 5, 2008 @ 11:35 am
- Hi Rokusan,
Great lens! Can't wait to read more. Please visit The Great Public Speaking Shop to find TONS of my speaker training products for cheap! CD's, Books, DVD's and alot of cool stuff to make you a great speaker onstage. Check it out when you can! Your friend, Tom
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- Aug 19, 2008 @ 2:55 am
- I speak French (my native language) and English fluently and I have a few notions of Spanish and Irish (Gaelic).
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- Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz Aug 17, 2008 @ 4:03 pm
- What a Great Lens! 5 Stars and Favored!
The Great Gray Wolf huffed and he puffed and he liked your lens so much that he is sending you virtual descriptive words and a Starry Starry Night to celebrate.
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- MarcNorris MarcNorris Aug 5, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
- Having taken French immersion in school from K-12, I know that is something that I will get my children to do as well.
I would even go as far as saying that it has given me a different perspective on the world and given me the ability to see things from two different perspectives.
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- BigGirlBlue BigGirlBlue Jun 8, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
- Now that I'm older and can see the value I think learning a second language is very valuable.
I was forced to learn French for 8 years in grade school and I HATED it with a passion. It shows too today because I can only remember how to count to ten.
Sad I know but even that little bit helped when we stopped in Quebec one day and wanted to order a meal. They were numbered!
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- grassosalvato86 grassosalvato86 Jun 7, 2008 @ 5:13 am
- Hello! You've got an interesting lens! Yes! It is really important to study a foreign language. I watched the Language School TV Commercial Video (very funny!!). You deserve 5 stars!! Have a very good weekend.
by Rokusan
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