Should Americans learn and master a 2nd language? If so, which one? If not, why?

Answer 1

Everyone, not just Americans, should learn a second language. Not only can you converse in that other language, but you learn more about English in the process.

The most spoken languages in the world, not counting English, are Chinese and Spanish. If you pick one of those, you can converse with more people.

Learning Spanish certainly helped me out one afternoon. I was working in a hotel and got on the elevator with some housekeepers. They decided to talk about me, of course figuring that I couldn't understand them, and how people at the Front Desk were lazy, etc. When I got off the elevator, I said to them (in Spanish), "Please keep your opinions to yourself." Their jaws hit the floor.

Answer 2

I think yes. It can be hard, but very usefull to learn a second language. Spanish is very usefull since so many people in the United States speak spanish now, French is also a good choice. Mandarin Chinese will soon be very important also, so it might be a good choice. Personaly, I'm 13 and I'm taking Spanish and teaching myself Latin. If and when I master Spanish I plan on learning Italian, Portugese, French and maybe some German. It seems like a lot, but languages are extremely interesting, and make traveling so much more fun!

Answer 3

Yes, but everyone should learn additional languages. I am a caucasian American and have learned to speak, read, and write 3 languages and it has opened my eyes to the cultures of nearly half the world. With Hindi I can understand nearly 1 billion people, with Korean I can understand another 80+ million and of course with English I can understand another 3 billion. I would say that we, as Americans, should learn Spanish as it is becoming a widely used language in our society and it is the language of our neighbor to the south, Mexico. We should also learn French as this is also the language of our neighbors to the north, Canada.

Children should be taught another language at a very young age as they are more able to completely comprehend the language in a shorter length of time. They are like sponges when it comes to languages as their prejudice towards learning another language has not been established. It is a shame that we have not established mandatory programs nationally to learn either of these languages in our education system.

Answer 4

Yes. Spanish or French. One Spanish is a language spoken by a large portion of the population. French because politics is still done in French and it is the language of the educated. I disagree with southrngirl, we all should have to learn a second language. Just because we live in the United States is no reason to promote the laziness of the American mind.

Answer 5

On a practical level, Spanish wouldn't be a bad idea. I don't think we Americans should be pressured into learning another language but it's definitely a good idea. It helps you communicate with more people, learn about other cultures, and even gain a new perspective. There are no drawbacks in learning a 2nd language. I'm studying German and Spanish.

Answer 6

Yes. I believe Spanish is a good choice. The US is the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. Mandarin Chinese or Hindi would be my second choice as those are the two most widely spoken languages.

While it is convenient that so many people outside the US are learning English, it would be sheer conceit for us to think we can just depend on that for much longer. Global communication will be an integral part of any business before long. If you want a good job, you'll learn another language.

It is also a way to learn about other cultures. I believe it is very narrow-minded to only fully understand one culture - your own.

Answer 7

I think we should learn another language. We're one of the FEW countries in the world that takes no interest in any other language other than our own. I think Spanish would be the obvious choice but I've learned that one as well as some German. Language is a beautiful part of other cultures. People who live in the U.S. should be able to read and write English, no question. But why should they give up their own identity?? I really feel it's our arrogance toward other cultures, languages, religions, etc. that continues to build a barrier between us and the rest of the world.

Answer 8

Yes. I'm up to five, and I'm not done yet. I think English is the most important language anyone can learn, but it's not the only one. And the more languages you know, the further you'll go.
Spanish would be good. It's the second best known language in America. Chinese - they're quickly becoming an economic super-power. Japanese - another strong Pacific-rim country, especially technologically. French and Swiss if you plan on getting into medicine. Russian if you plan on getting into the mob.

Answer 9

If they plan to live and work in an international community, it only makes sense to learn another language. In border areas, Spanish helps. For the heck of it, it's a good thing to do to expand personal horizons.

But I don't think Americans should be required to learn another language. English is the spoken language here...no others needed if you're never going to go anywhere.

Answer 10

I feel they should learn any of another language if they don't want other people to joke about them like;

What do you call a person who speak 3 languages?
-> A Trilingual
What do you call a person who speak 2 languages?
-> A Bilingual
What do you call a person who speak 1 language?
-> An American