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Learning Foreign Languages - Advantages And BenefitsI am a strong advocate of the advantages and benefits of learning foreign languages. Allow me to explain my stand. I firmly believe that learning foreign languages is an activity that broadens the horizons of any man, woman or child. In fact, if truth be told, I would advocate learning foreign languages at a very young age. Not only do children learn faster than adults, they also retain the memory of the foreign language for much longer than adults do. Myself having never had the opportunity to indulge in learning foreign languages during my youth, I believe that it should be an opportunity offered to all. How well do you communicate with others? This is a question that could be addressed and answered on so many different levels. However, I am merely asking about how articulate you are. Whether it be English, Mandarin, German, or Spanish, how well you speak and understand your language has a serious bearing on how others see you. This is just the way it works. It all draws back to your education. These days learning foreign languages in grade school is normal. On the other hand, if I were to ask my mother if they did such a thing back in the 40s, I doubt she would say yes. Things have definitely evolved to a whole new level. This is great. So many more of us will be able to communicate this way. Language and culture barriers with be broken at last. Learning foreign languages has a whole host of advantages over mere linguistic skills. After all there is no point in being a polyglot if all you are going to do is to stick around in the same country. You need o go out and experience the world. But most of us are unable to indulge in such things because we have to work, or cannot afford the luxury or even that we scarcely have the time or inclination. But learning foreign languages allows you to experience the culture, the history and the language itself in more ways than you could imagine. What is your take on learning foreign languages? Do you believe that every human being should be studying a foreign language other than their native tongue? Some folks do. In fact, when it comes to learning foreign languages, I have some experience of my own. I took Spanish 1 and 2 in high school. Then in college I took three additional Spanish courses. That's not too bad if I do say so myself. However, I was baffled at one Spanish professor's take on learning foreign languages. She was originally from Argentina, and came to the states to teach Spanish. I think this is wonderful. However, I did not agree with her spiel about how everyone in the United States needs to learn Spanish. This is plain and simply a glib statement. She is certainly not considering all sides to this coin. What about everyone else who came from other countries to the United States. They've already had to learn English to adapt. Is it fair to tell them that they must learn Spanish as well? You try telling that to someone who already speaks fluent German, Japanese, or French. They will likely tell you "I will learn Spanish when everyone else learns my native language." Imagine being able to read Voltaire’s original works in French! Or for that matter, being able to read through Karl Marx’s writings in his native tongue! How powerful the words would seem! How fascinating the language itself would be. Learning foreign languages even if from the safety and confines of your home would expose you to these great minds, even if there is no other way of knowing them and experiencing them from such closeness. Another thing about learning foreign languages is the exposure to the working environment in today’s global marketplace. Gone are the days when most of us worked in local offices with only our friends and neighbors as colleagues. Today, although we might work out an office in a particular location, we will in all probability be dealing with colleagues or business associated from half a dozen global locations. While the primary business language happens to be English, it surely wouldn’t hurt to be able to converse in a foreign language that both the parties know. This is where learning foreign languages have direct business benefits. All things considered, learning foreign languages is a sure shot way to growth and personal and professional development. While it might seem to be difficult to start with, once we are on, it will surely prove to be an interesting and stimulating exercise. When it comes to learning foreign languages, things can get a tad tricky. Not everything is as cut and dry as some folks would like it to be. The truth is if you plan to go and live in a foreign land, you'd better learn their language first. This is just common sense. After all, how far do you think you will progress with a language barrier? children learning foreign languages - foreign languages spanish learning handbooks The Full Article here
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