Learning Foreign Languages: Is it a hobby or a must?

[malghalara]

Originally Posted by Harry Smith

I just want to pay attention to how people of different nationalities learn foreign languages. My friends living in English Speaking Countries often say: Why we should try to learn other languages when the whole world is full of English. They mean English is spoken all over the world and I agree with them. But one thing isn't clear to me. Do they ever learn German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese etc. as hard as we do? Or maybe they don't even think about other languages. Any ideas?

well learning anything besides ur normal life is basically an achievment!! so go ahead and learn as much as u can in ur life.

[malghalara]

hello i totally agree withh the above posts and i welcome you people to learn udu as well.,,, it is reall y a very vast language.. welcome

[kpira]

for me learning languages is just a hobby, a pleasure

[shegolina]

i think its about enjoyin urself..Learnin English is a "must" in my country,but if i wanna learn sth else,it should be Russian,Chinese,Arabic or Japanese..These languages work in my country..but i dont believe this.If you dont have any sympathy,you wont be able to learn it..I used to try to learn German,but i couldnt..Cause i didnt like it..so,if its a must,it should give a lil bit of pleasure..

[blouen]

Originally Posted by shegolina

i think its about enjoyin urself..Learnin English is a "must" in my country,but if i wanna learn sth else,it should be Russian,Chinese,Arabic or Japanese..These languages work in my country..but i dont believe this.If you dont have any sympathy,you wont be able to learn it..I used to try to learn German,but i couldnt..Cause i didnt like it..so,if its a must,it should give a lil bit of pleasure..

IF you could find a little pleasure on what you´re learning, try to cultivate that little pleasure for that will make you to persevere on your study. And I always find purpose on what I´m doing. Why do I do such things? Knowing your purpose will keep you on track.
Though a ¨must¨, if you know your purpose and enjoys doing it, you´ll get ahead of others pretty soon.

[eflclassroom]

I agree with what many people on this thread have said. Learning a foreign language isn't a MUST, to have a good life, be happy. But it is something that vastly enhances ones life and brings a multitude of benefits.

Besides the skill and the professional/communicative opportunities a new language gives you, I'd cheerlead the fact that it changes who you are. If/when you learn a new language, you gain new insight into another culture (and language is the cornerstone of culture), it changes you and your view of the world. You wear a different "skin" and see the world with a different pair of glasses. Learning a new language besides being very necessary in today's world (even for us English speakers) , is a great and life altering experience. Number 3 behind having a child (1) and Loving (2).

DD

[broadway121004]

First of all,
learning a foreign language in my country is not compulsary,
but it is a must for all schools to learn the English language.

[broadway121004]

(By the way, I'm from the Philippines. )

Learning the English language is a must in our schools to be competitive enough on the real word, especially on applying jobs and going abroad.

Well, we all know that English is the Universal language.

[broadway121004]

But generally, those who are not sent to schools here were not really forced to learn the English language.

A lot of countries stick only on their own language, but they are globally competitive.

I also agree with the others that it is not a must,
but of course it would really be a advantage to be fluent in one foreign language, particularly English.

[Amela_Ze]

I had to learn English language in fourth grade in elementary school. We could choose either German or English. I chose English. I learned it during all four grades in highschool (Grammar school), German and Latin as well.
It's a blessing to have the opportunity to learn foreign languages in your country. And a great pleasure, of course!