What's the point of learning a foreign language?

Question

Think about it. I never use any of the language skills I have and I don't speak to anyone in their language since this is America and I don't travel.
So, is there a point?

Answer 1

There is a point. You have chosen to use your English language skills here when you asked your question. Think about that. America is a multi-cultural society, and there new immigrants arriving who may or may not speak English well. The point of learning another language, is to not only increase your communication skills, but it also may help you do business in the future, or even make new friends. Maybe one day you will travel too.

Answer 2

1. Learning another language actually makes you smarter. It helps you see the relationships between concepts in a way that you can't without knowing a different language. There are a lot of empirical studies which demonstrate this now.

2. It helps you communicate with people who don't speak English, which is still a lot of the world. You can share and learn from them, just like you would other English-speakers.

3. You can learn about a culture in a richer way through the language. Much is "lost in translation".

Answer 3

Yes there is a point it is individual preference. Some people will travel, some just want to learn new things, broaden their minds. As for living in American and not traveling there are other languages native to this country American Sign Language. Some of the languages of the Native American people.

The point is communication, learning, understanding.

Not everyone has an apptitude for languages or a desire to learn other languages. Nothing wrong with that.

Sometimes the point of learning is simply knowledge for the sake of knowledge.

Answer 4

As a bilingual person, being able to speak another language does really come in handy. I got a job on the spot and got paid $10 an hour just because I was able to speak 2 languages.

Answer 5

You are lucky that English is becoming world language that you can converse with all other people in the world. But the native of other languages suffer great loss if the don't know other languages to share the knowledge and joy with the world at large. We are no longer restricted our relation with only our compatriots, but we may need to go out and people from other lands naturally come to us for travel, learning, trade, refuge, performing art...We really need to learn many things to become world citizens.

Answer 6

there are statistics that point out the fact that people that know a foreign language score higher on tests, also it makes reading at least for me more fun, you understand word meaning much better than you would if you didn't know another language. Plus it has broadened my thinking for sure. Also you should seek oppurtunities to use the language, you'd be surprised!! Not lecturing you on it, but if you know a language take advantage of it. More oppurtunities are open to you because of it.!!!

Answer 7

1. If you are planning on working in a global economy it is very important to have a second language or at least rudimentary understanding of one.
2. The number of hispanic minority in this country is increasing exponentially. It is not a bad idea to pick up some Spanish.
3. You might want to travel someday. :-)

Answer 8

yes, there's a point. to broaden your horizons. and if you can live in the melting pot of the united states and not use any language you have learned... it's your own fault. look around and seize the opportunities that are obviously walking right past you.

also, job opportunities. look at the how having that skill might increase your chances or avance your career.

Answer 9

if you never ever plan to travel in your life then there is no reason for you to learn one. also if you don't plan on ever working in an industry where you'll meet foreign speakers there is no reason to learn one.

however, traveling makes you open up your eyes to the rest of the world. it boring living in the same hum drum town and never knowing what's out there. but you can still travel without needing to know another language.

Answer 10

You make a good point. The problem is, if you learn something and never use it, that skill will get rusty anyway, so you should focus on other things.