Why is it important to learn a language other than English?

Foreign language study enhances listening skills and memory. One participates more effectively and responsibly in a multi-cultural world if one knows another language. The study of a foreign tongue improves the knowledge of one’s own language: English vocabulary skills increase.

Is studying another language worth it?

The many cognitive benefits of learning languages are undeniable. People who speak more than one language have improved memory, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, enhanced concentration, ability to multitask, and better listening skills.

Is learning a new language a waste of time?

Learning a second language is unproductive and a veritable waste of time. Probably 95 percent of the world’s 7500 million people speak only one language. They seem to get by being monolingual and are happy as larks speaking only Swahili, Bambara, Tagalog, Italian, Bubi and other languages.

Can technology replace the need to learn languages?

While such technologies are an increasingly useful tool, they can no more replace the deep cross-cultural knowledge that comes with learning languages than the advent of calculators meant we no longer needed to learn maths. However, such technologies are now widely accessible.

Is learning a foreign language worth the investment?

Economic studies have shown that for US English speakers, learning Spanish, French or German has a very low return on investment — between 1.5\% and 4\% annually.

Why do we need to learn English?

A working knowledge of English has become a requirement in a number of fields, occupations and professions such as medicine and computing; as a consequence over a billion people speak English to at least a basic level. It is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

Why is it important to learn more than one language?

Knowing more than one language is nearly vital in today’s world. Companies are all global, and the demand for multilingual applicants is high. But not all languages are created equal; some will get you further than others. Learn from us — which are the most important languages to learn in 2021?