Why learn a foreign language? After all, English is almost a lingua franca. Well, there’s a grain of truth in this argument, but the reality is more complex. There are many powerful reasons for learning a foreign language:
Personal Development
By learning a foreign language, you gain new horizons, but at the same time you you develop a sense of your own identity, and therefore also your self-confidence. A foreign language can contribute to a stronger personality.
Cultural Reasons
It is a fundamental truth that language is the most important characteristic of a culture. A foreign language gives you access to another culture. It gives you the ability to communicate and to exchange views with people all over the world that you would otherwise not have the chance to know. Without the knowledge of the language of a foreign culture, a lot is lost in translation.
Educational Reasons
The Renaissance in Europe had its roots in early Greek society where Socrates and Plato developed the concepts of Logic and Reason. If the early Greek works had not been translated into Arabic, Latin, English and other languages, the Renaissance would not have rescued us from the Dark Ages. Learning a foreign language opens up a whole new dimension. It has a positive effect on intellectual growth and it enriches and enhances mental development. Learning a foreign language is especially effective at an early age. It greatly benefits reading and writing in one’s own language; there’s evidence that, like musical education, it contributes significantly to the development of individual intelligence.
Economic Reasons
In a globalized world characterized by international links and intercultural connections, linguistic skills are crucial for business, employment and career. The knowledge of foreign languages increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing another language is a real asset.
Modern language learning techniques have been revolutionized by the use of software and computer technology. It is now possible to achieve virtual immersion and learn new languages more completely rapidly. There are many tools and software programs available to do just that.
Source: Rosetta Stone
