The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/all/20060811000703/http://www.123learnspanish.com:80/learnspanish-insight-Why+Learn+Languages-section-1-id-261.html

USA Hotel Reviews

Hotel Reviews

Our Network Websites
real estate links
insurance guide
software links
health links
travel links
Why Learn Languages?
Publish Date : 1/10/2006 6:22:21 AM   Source : Ron Tichenor

Why learn languages? Why would anyone want to learn someone else's language? Obviously, there are a lot of reasons, and if the question is on your mind, then you probably have a desire or need to learn a language yourself. The answer is often different for people. Put 10 random people together who are learning another language and you will probably have 7 or 8 different reasons and 5 or 6 different languages. Every answer is valid. Every reason is the right reason for that person and every language is the right language. There is no wrong answer to the question 'why learn a language?' and there is no wrong language to learn.

The ability to learn another language is not limited by economic background, ethnic background, nationality, gender, race, religion, age or the grades you got (or are getting) in school. While everyone is different, and we all have differing abilities and strengths, we all have language ability to some degree. Maybe we all aren't going to become great orators or novelists in another language, but we all have the ability to learn, and communicate in other languages.

There is no danger of learning 'too much.' You can't fill up your head with too much language, and there's no danger of you losing knowledge of the languages you already know. In fact, learning a foreign language (or more than one) improves memory, math skills, analytical skills, problem solving and increases critical thinking and creativity. Furthermore and most remarkably, learning a foreign language actually improves our reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in English.

Languages don't just pop up out of nowhere, they evolve from other languages and change over time. Many of the most widely spoken languages are related and share some vocabulary, and even if they aren't, languages are always borrowing words from each other. English is full of words from many other languages. Learning another language not only gives you new knowledge, but expands upon your existing knowledge of English and gives you a whole new way of understanding it. Furthermore, you begin to learn how to learn languages, making it easier to learn other languages and understand how language and communication works in general. Other languages are not just a word for word translation of English, but an interpretation of events and opinions from a different point of view.

So, why learn languages? Ok, so there are some benefits. Can learning a language benefit everyone? In a word - Yes. I'm sure if you look around and evaluate your life you will see lots of opportunities to use different languages. We are all surrounded by people who use other languages, or opportunities we could benefit from by using other languages. The possibilities are there if you look for them.

You may have relatives living in Japan, or you want to visit China. Perhaps you have a life-long desire to see Italy or you are planning a vacation in Argentina, or retirement in Costa Rica. All are valid reasons for learning a language. Learning for travel is one of the most common reasons to learn a language. There are more opportunities to travel today than there have ever been before, and they are likely to increase in the 21st century Global Village.

Many people learn a language to connect with their roots. You may still have relatives living in the 'old country,' or you may just want to define yourself a little bit. Learning the language of our ancestors can help bring us into better contact with ourselves and open up a whole new understanding of ourselves and how we got to be who and where we are.

Do you have a new addition to the family by marriage? Learning even a little of your new family members language can bring both families closer together. Or maybe you're looking for love yourself. Think of the possibilities when you learn another language. The increase in possible social contacts is tremendous when you add a whole new way to communicate. That goes for love, friendship, travel or business.

Learning a language for business is a very common reason. The business opportunities that have arisen in the last few decades have made it almost imperative for a businessperson to have language skills. English may be spoken by many people and it is the language of the internet, but in order to really cultivate business relationships and get ahead in the business world, language skills are a must. There are a wide variety of industries in which having language ability is a great advantage. It broadens our job skills and career options.

The reasons for students to learn languages are many, and not just because you need it to graduate or get a certain degree. Obviously, improving English skills and overall communication skills are both valuable to students. Improvement of memory, creativity, problem solving ability and analytical skills also are of significant importance to a student. Studies show that bilinguals routinely outperform monolinguals in all areas of testing. Scores for SATs and other tests are shown to be higher for foreign language students, and the longer the foreign language study the higher the average test scores. Having second language skills also makes a student more competitive in the job market.

Learning a language isn't just learning some new grammar concepts, vocabulary and different sounds. It gives insights into other cultures. It creates a more positive attitude toward people who are culturally different and gives us a better understanding of what it's like to be an immigrant. Accomplishing this life skill will give you increased prestige in your own culture and a markedly increased status in other cultures. It's a required skill to become a World Citizen. Ultimately, learning other languages gives us a better understanding of our own language and our own culture, and a new viewpoint to look at the world in which we live and define our place in it.

One of my favorite quotes about language by Ambrose Bierce :

Belladonna, n.: In Italian a beautiful lady; in English a deadly poison. A striking example of the essential identity of the two tongues.

It's meant to be funny and it reminds us that languages really are different, but it makes me laugh every time I read it. This, to me, also reminds me why I like to learn languages. It's fun! The inner workings of each language are full of little nuggets that are downright enjoyable to learn. So, why learn languages? Lots of the reasons above pertain to me, but my answer is much simpler - because I enjoy it.
About the Author

Ron is a long-time language enthusiast, exploring Spanish, French, Swedish, Esperanto and others. Learn more about studying a language on your own at Language-Learning-Advisor.com

Premium Link Partners




Become a Premium Link Partner
Premium Link Partners




Become a Premium Link Partner

Learn Spanish Online Guides


Why Learn Languages?        
Why learn languages? Why would anyone want to learn someone else's language? Obviously, there are a lot of reasons, and if the question is on your mind, then you probably have a desire or need to learn a language yourself. The answer is often...

Writer’s Web Resources        
The Internet has truly revolutionized the careers of writers worldwide. Now you can work for publishers, corporations and a whole range of other clients on a truly global scale. Whether you are in the heart of a big city, or in a remote mountain...

Writing Effectively Part 2        
Copyright 2004 by www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings...

You Are Naming Your Baby.....What?        
My name is E-l-o-d-i-a. I wouldn't make that up. My mother did, but I wouldn't. People often ask me if I got teased, when I was a child, because of my name. I tell them "Nope". Children didn't have a problem with my name. It's the adults that...

You can still hear screams of terror in Old Panama        
PANAMA VIEJO: Old Panama. Stand in the graveled, tree-lined road, the convent and public baths to your left, the Jesuit church to your right, and listen carefully. Screams of terror. Shouts of domination. The clash of steel. Musket fire. The roar of...

www.property-in-the-sun.com - Our new life in Benarraba, Andalucia, Spain        
A 45 year old Englishman leaves comfortable life in sleepy seaside town. To renovate a village house in Andalucia Spain, taking his wife three border collies and three old black cats.Description of first six months.Hundreds of photographs of the...

The Power of the Pomegranate        
Copyright 2005 Michael BrooksThe juice from a pomegranate offers some of the worlds most powerful antioxidants. In fact, studies show that pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than other known antioxidant drinks such as red wine, green tea,...

The REAL Thanksgiving        
The legend of Thanksgiving goes back more than 350 years. We have all heard the story about how the Pilgrims spent Thanksgiving with the Natives and ate fully, but is this what really happened?The Wampanoag Indians were descendants of the Iroquois...

The Roman Gladius
or, How to Steal Another Country's Sword and Claim it as Your Own
       
So, you've been watching the HBO Series "Rome," and want to learn a little more about the hardware they're using? Well, look no more, weary web wanderer, for here before you is the history of the Gladius. The Roman Gladius has a long and...

The Sights, Sounds, and People of Morelia, Mexico        
As the sun set on my first evening in Morelia, I found myself reflecting on the day’s events and my initial impressions of this old colonial style city that would be my home for the next several months. After arriving by air into Guadalajara, my bus...

Total Results : 266  
More News (Opens in New Window) :    [1]   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27      Next Page
Our Network Websites >>> real estate links | insurance guide | software links | health links | travel links mens clothing | bargain cruises | hotel reviews | used cars | wedding favors | extended stay hotels | condos buying tips | laptop guide | bargain holidays | best mortgage deals | dental insurance | auto insurance quotes | cheap life insurance | car insurance quotes | life insurance quotes | ireland golf vacation packages | golf vacations | ireland vacations | hawaii vacation packages | vacation packages | digital camera review | digital video camera | security camera | home security cameras | disposable cameras | digital printing | digital photo software | digital projectors | digital photo processing | surveillance cameras | electronic stores | home electronics | diet supplements | zone diet | eating disorders guide | fsbo | learn spanish | learn italian | business brokers | commercial real estate |

:: SiteWide Links :: Hotel Reviews :: discount hotel :: vacation packages : wedding favors :: mens clothing ::