Have you PERSONALLY benifetted from learning a foreign language?

Question

A lot of people say learning a foreign language helps you compete in the corporate world. In particular, Arabic, Chinese and Spanish are supposed to be the important langauges that will be in high demand over the next decades. Now I'm skeptical of this because the most educated people in other countries learn English, and you could be doing something else with your time. But is there something I'm overlooking? Have YOU PERSONALLY benifetted from learning a foriegn language, and if so, how?

Answer 1

I speak English, Bulgarian, Russian, Spanish, Italian, French; studied Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese and Farsi...

I can't even BEGIN to list the advantages that weren't even mentioned in the previous replies. But just for the sake of showing some effort, here are a couple of things that make you really appreciate understanding (and using, eventually) a foreign language:

I. Humour (you learn to "get" all the jokes). This is also the shortest way to make friends and become accepted anywhere. Also gives a profounds insight into the culture. Understanding another culture's humour is 70% of the culture per se already. Usually, humour is applied to the most important issues in a society.. Once you get that, you're in.

II. Money.. Obviously. I don't think anyone can deny the fact that languages are "useless" in the INFORMATION AGE.

III. Respect -- to me personally, knowing a language (in any and all of its aspects) has become a source of healthy self-esteem and significant satisfaction in respect to my social status and interactions.

IV. It's SEXY -- if you know how to use it, it can be the most potent aphrodisiac served on the most succulent plate of all: the tongue ;) I would advise every one to serve themselves in that sense.. ;)

V. It's intelligent -- the philosophy that everyone "educated" already speaks English, so there's no point in learning other languages is the most self-destructive one that a culture can present to the world. It is a philosophy of arrogance and ignorance. The worst thing one can do is not learn. Learning, of whatever you want, is the definition of an intelligent being. The important thing is to avoid following boring, conventional methods when you study... Learning is all about innovation, about finding new things and information, about enriching your ways. So, there's no reason why you should go with the established system. You should experiment and try different little ways and find the one that is most pleasant to you :)

On this positive note, I bid you good night B-)


Veronika

Answer 2

One has to learn English so that the person can go freely any where in the world. It is the International language spoken almost everywhere in the world. It acts as an umbrella to safeguard one's interests. A decade ago to learn English, you had to attend costly English classes or purchase course material like tapes and books. Now you can learn English for free from the comfort of your home using the Internet. The BBC and the British Council offer a number of on line courses, which teach written and spoken English. You can also improve your English by watching television programs and reading English newspapers. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/qnzpt

Answer 3

Personally - YES, a resounding yes at that. I have been to many different countries while in the service and I always made it a point to try and learn some of the language. I have always been given a warmer reception by locals when I tried to use their tongue. Even though I am not fluent in any other language, a good vocabulary will get you far. I have even taught my self to read other alphabets. On what may be a darker note- It is always good to know what others are saying about you, especially if they are unaware that you understand. You can never truly know another person unless you speak their language. I met the love of my life that way.

Answer 4

Yes! I took 4 years of Spanish and I found it much easier to communicate with the people in Barcelona when I was there about a year ago. In fact, I remembered more and more Spanish every day and I was only there a few days. I know that if I'd stayed longer I could have become fluent. So, yes, it helped A LOT! I could ask directions and understand answers, order food, buy things, etc. in a foreign country.

Answer 5

I've definitely benefitted from learning Japanese, because now I understand the problems in communicating in a foreign language, and I can communicate with foreigners better. Most Americans do not know how to talk to ESL (English as Second Language) speakers. Even though a foreigner might speak English, you cannot communicate effectively with them if you don't UNDERSTAND what it's like to communicate in a foreign language. When I see most Americans talking to ESL speakers, I cringe. They have no clue what it's like to try to understand a foreign language, even if the speaker seems capable of forming complex, fluent sentences.

Answer 6

Sure why not, learning foreign languages is beautiful and could benefited you a lot. If you are traveling to a foreign country how would you communicate, you will be frustrated and tell yourself at the end "I wish I knew a little of what they are talking about".
Just a thought from someone who travel far.

Answer 7

yes, I studied french in high school. I lived in italy for awhile. my french training set me up good to learn italian just through immersion (plus a little self study). In the process, I was involved with this amazingly beautiful italian babe for about a year and a half (until I moved back to the states - a separate sad story). It never would have happened without the language study.

Really the best class that I have benefitted from is typing. I use it every day. Plus, there is my writing ability which is from reading and writing. never use science though.

Answer 8

well as a French guy, learning English allows me to use Yahoo answer. Otherwise Chinese allowed me to find a job here in China.

So for me learning foreign language is nothing but an advantage.

Answer 9

I can read the Spanish adds on the subway when I'm bored. I've been able to ask for certain grocery items in the Spanish speaking store across the street and help more customers at work. I can read half of a French poem the way it was meant to be read. That's about it.

Answer 10

Probably. The UK is in Europe, so flights would require you to be able to speak in the language of the country you're going to, especially since you're going to be in that country to fly back to the UK. Well, I don't know the specifics but you won't only have English speaking passengers. Going back and forth from France and the USA, all the air hostesses were able to speak English and French from what I could see/hear especially when they make announcements. They said the same thing in both languages. In Paris, just about everyone who worked at Charles de Gaulle was able to speak English as well, even if it wasn't their native language which I could tell.