Reasons to Learn Foreign Languages

1. Foreign Language study creates more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different.
2. Analytical skills improve when students study a foreign language.
3. Business skills plus foreign language skills make an employee more valuable in the marketplace.
4. Dealing with another culture enables people to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture.
5. Creativity is increased with the study of foreign languages.
6. Graduates often cite foreign language courses as some of the most valuable courses in college because of the communication skills developed in the process.
7. International travel is made easier and more pleasant through knowing a foreign language.
8. Skills like problem solving, dealing with abstract concepts, are increased when you study a foreign language.
9. Foreign language study enhances one’s opportunities in government, business, medicine, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, etc.
10. A second language improves your skills and grades in math and English and on the SAT and GRE.
11. Four out of five new jobs in the US are created as a result of foreign trade.
12. Foreign languages provide a competitive edge in career choices: one is able to communicate in a second language.
13. Foreign language study enhances listening skills and memory.
14. One participates more effectively and responsibly in a multi-cultural world if one knows another language.
15. Your marketable skills in the global economy are improved if you master another language.
16. Foreign language study offers a sense of the past: culturally and linguistically.
17. The study of a foreign tongue improves the knowledge of one’s own language: English vocabulary skills increase.
18. The study of foreign languages teaches and encourages respect for other peoples: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature.
19. Foreign languages expand one’s view of the world, liberalize one’s experiences, and make one more flexible and tolerant.
20. Foreign languages expand one’s world view and limit the barriers between people: barriers cause distrust and fear.
21. Foreign language study leads to an appreciation of cultural diversity.
22. As immigration increases we need to prepare for changes in the American society.
23. One is at a distinct advantage in the global market if one is as bilingual as possible.
24. Foreign languages open the door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, film, philosophy, science…
25. Foreign language study is simply part of a very basic liberal education: to “educate” is to lead out, to lead out of confinement and narrowness and darkness.

1. To increase global understanding

“A different language is a different vision of life.” – Federico Fellini, Italian film director

 2. To improve employment potential

Learning to speak, read and write in a foreign language increases your employment opportunities and enriches your working experience, whether you chose to work abroad or in your native country. 

 3. To increase native language ability

“Those who know nothing of foreign languages, knows nothing of their own.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 4. To sharpen cognitive and life skills

“We have strong evidence today that studying a foreign language has a ripple effect, helping to improve student performance in other subjects.” – Richard Riley, U.S. Secretary of Education under Bill Clinton

 5. Creating a brighter future for you and your loved ones

Breaking down cultural barriers and creating an international identity for all people truly begins with learning another language. Through learning the language we can better understand their culture and expressions. 

 6. To appreciate international literature, music, art and film

The satisfaction of of being able to explore the fine arts and film in different languages enables us to truly appreciate the world around us. 

 7. To make travel more feasible and enjoyable

When traveling abroad often or not  we have to speak a foreign language in order to get around. Sometimes however two different people from two different countries find a neutral language to express themselves. 

 8. To expand study, live and work abroad options

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost, American poet.

9. To increase understanding of oneself and ones’ own culture

“As the traveler who has once been from home is wiser than he who has never left his own doorstep, so a knowledge of one other culture should sharpen our ability to scrutinize more steadily, to appreciate more lovingly, our own.” – Margaret Mead, American anthropologist

10. To make lifelong friends

“The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.” – Henry Boye, author

Why Spanish?

Spanish is the most widely spoken language after Mandarin, English and Hindi. It is the second language in the USA and second most popular language in Europe after English. It is the official language in 21 countries around the world including Spain.  Spanish is becoming more and more important with respect to business needs. Learning Spanish will assist you to communicate better with Spanish speaking counterparts at work and will open up lot more business and job opportunities.

Usefulness

If you want to learn a language with a large number of speakers and which is spoken in many countries, the ones to choose in order of 'usefulness' are: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), German, Japanese, Portuguese and Hindi/Urdu.

This list is based on the number of speakers, the number and population of countries where the languages are spoken, the number of major fields using the languages internationally, the economic power of countries using the languages, and their socio-literary prestige.

The languages with the most speakers are:

1. Mandarin Chinese (720 million)
2. English (480 million)
3. Spanish (320 million)
4. Russian (285 million)
5. French (265 million)
6. Hindi/Urdu (250 million)
7. Indonesian/Malay (230 million)
8. Arabic (221 million)
9. Portuguese (188 million)
10. Bengali (185 million)
11. Japanese (133 million)
12. German (109 million)