Language Development
Why Learn a Language?
There are different reasons to get familiar with a foreign language, especially when competing in foreign countries. A clear idea of the significance of learning a language will be a good motivation.
- International Study
If you plan to study at a foreign university, college or school, you'll need a good knowledge of the local language (unless the course you want to study is taught through the medium of your native language.) Your institution will probably provide preparatory courses to improve your language skills and continuing support throughout your main course.
- Travel
If you plan to travel, language knowledge will be useful. Basic speaking skills will help you to “get by.”
- Culture
Literature, films, and music are some avenues of learning a language to gain a better understanding of the culture.
- Connecting with your roots
If you want to know more about your heritage, learn the language.
- To understand your own language and culture better (contributed by Evona York)
Sometimes learning a foreign language helps you understand your own language and culture better through comparison, or through the relationship between the foreign language and your mother tongue. For instance, studying Latin in high school taught me an incredible amount of English, because English has so many words that come from the Latin. Same with Greek.
- To become someone else (contributed by Janet Gil)
As a teen, I wished I were someone else. Learning Spanish let me be part of my best friend's family and have friends in college from South America whom I may not have met had I not had such an interest in learning Spanish. I liked myself with these other people more than I liked my American self (if that makes sense).
- To better understand our thought processes (contributed by Judah Kay)
All of our thought processes are conducted in language, so really our entire existence or essence or soul, however we phrase it, is inextricably bound up to and with the languages we speak. Try to think without language for instance. However, we see that the language is in essence superficial, since many languages exist. To understand the true roots of our thought processes, the real nature of the human soul, knowledge of several languages may be necessary.
- Family and friends
If family members or friends are not English speakers, learning the spoken language will help with communication. Also, you will have a better understanding of their culture and viewpoint.
- Work
If work involves contact with native speakers, communicating in their language will help you negotiate and establish business relationships. Knowledge of a foreign language may help you find a new job, earn a promotion, or transfer overseas.
- Cuisine
Perhaps you enjoy the food and/or drink of a particular country or region and make regular trips there, or the recipe books you want to use are only available in a foreign language.
- Linguistic interest
Maybe you're interested in linguistic aspects of a particular language and decide to learn it in order to understand them better.
- Challenging yourself
Maybe you enjoy the challenge of learning foreign languages or of learning a particularly difficult language.
- Sounds/looks good
Perhaps you just like the sound of a particular language when it's spoken or sung. Or you find the written form of a language attractive.
- To keep your mind healthy
Learning a second language has been proven to delay the onset of dementia.
- To better understand the rest of humankind
Language is an aspect of humanity, and learning what a fellow human speaks teaches you more about humankind as a whole. The more languages you know, the more you understand our species, and that is beneficial no matter what the situation is.
Adapted from "Why Learn Another Language?" Omniglot.com-A Guide to Written Language as cited in iStudent101.com – Discover Reasons to Learn a Language
Feedback
We welcome any questions, feedback, or suggestions you may have regarding this website or other resources. Please contact us.
|
