How important is it to know more than one language in the U.S. ?

Question

In countries (mostly european) other than the U.S. their youth are fluent or learning multiple languages beside their native tounge? How important is it to be knowledgeable in more than just english?

I live in a bilingual home but i only speak english (im hispanic born and raised in texas) i just want to see how others feel about learning other languages

Answer 1

Howdy, Lexi, from a fellow Texan.

In my opinion, It's not important for everyday life in the USA for you to know a second language. But . . . it is important for your personal development. Research has shown that the more languages you speak, the more intelligent you are. Learning another language exercises your mind, and helps you by teaching you to think in different thought patterns than your native language did.

You live in a bilingual household, that would make it much easier for you to learn Spanish than for those of us who live in a monolingual household (if your family is supportive of the effort).

Also, if you have any desire to travel outside English speaking countries, it would be very helpful to know a second language. With English and Spanish, you can travel anywhere on the American continents and much of Europe with ease.

I was once told by a very wise man, "The day you stop learning, is the day you start dying". Learn that learning is fun, and never stop having fun (learning).

Answer 2

It all depends what you intend to do in your life. If you plan to stay in your country and still think that in the world only the USA exist then you shouldn't try to learn another language as your American English is more than enough.

After if you plan to travel on your own, it will be wise to learn a foreign language :
- Spanish to go to South America
- French to go to France, Canada or some countries in Africa
- Chinese because you won't find a lot of Chinese being able to speak English in the street. I know this for living there.

Besides learning other languages can make you discover other cultures, help you get a job. Because if a boss has the choice between 2 identical profiles, the one who knows a foreign language will have the upper hand.

Answer 3

Actually.. it is not really important.. If you were in France, it is important to study maybe Spanish... or English.. or Geman because of the close proximity to France but in the U.S..... unless a person was in the diplomatic field, there is really no necessity for lerning a second language

Answer 4

not so important here and elsewhere in the world of business the language if you care to check is most always done in English, even in Canada where there are two parts to the country most of the country speaks English it is only in Quebec that it is french., and business is usually done in English.

Answer 5

Really not that important, everyone I know speaks English, and everytning that needs to be done can be done in English. It is fun to speak with someone in another language, but not necessary.

Answer 6

In the US, knowing more than one language is not that important. It's, however, beneficial to know more than one as multi-cultural and lingual people tend not to be self-centered (i.e. Besides America, there are other nations on this planet).

Answer 7

It's essential

Saber mas de un idioma porque ,
de cette manièrevous pouvez communiquer efficacement

SEE WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Answer 8

Hai.
Mucho importante.
We should all speak Spanish and at least one Asian language.