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

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by playagain

I also agree. But I think it depends upon the person speaking if he is bragging or not. But for me, when a people talks one or more language at the same time, they just show their creativity and being artistic.

Quite often, people are unaware they are doing it. I have seen South Asian speakers in the UK slip between Urdu/Hindi, etc, and English, often without noticing that they are doing it.

[Tdol]

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?

There is a high degree of laziness among many native English speakers; in the UK, numbers of students taking foreign languages in secondary schools are falling fast and the government is worried about. However, there are plenty who do study for pleasure, for business, etc. As the world becomes increasingly globalised, I think many English speaker see that knowing other languages is an asset and expecting everyone to learn English is not a good idea.

[Noego]

Especially with China on the rise...

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by Tdol

There is a high degree of laziness among many native English speakers; in the UK, numbers of students taking foreign languages in secondary schools are falling fast and the government is worried about. However, there are plenty who do study for pleasure, for business, etc. As the world becomes increasingly globalised, I think many English speaker see that knowing other languages is an asset and expecting everyone to learn English is not a good idea.

Hi, Tdol!
I'm very happy to hear that there are plenty who study foreign languages. I wonder what foreign language is popular in the UK. Or it doesn't depend.

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by Harry Smith

Hi, Tdol!
I'm very happy to hear that there are plenty who study foreign languages. I wonder what foreign language is popular in the UK. Or it doesn't depend.

Spanish is growing in popularity. Traditionally, French was the biggest language studied. Chinese is also growing for the obvious reasons.

[sletona]

i think people learn English or other languages to have a wider culture. For most of the people, it is important when traveling or simply communicating to know another language. Besides, it has been proven that learning another language improves and facilitates your brain development.

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by sletona

i think people learn English or other languages to have a wider culture. For most of the people, it is important when traveling or simply communicating to know another language. Besides, it has been proven that learning another language improves and facilitates your brain development.

Today travelling is impossible without English. Of course it'll better if you know the language of the country you visit. As for me when I visit a country I start learning their language when I set my foot on it.

[Jason72]

Indeed, in Germany people are not fond of English. They are STRICT when comes to their language. EVERY movie, series, etc. is translated and then synchronized. I find this a pretty good way to preserve their mother thongue.

Anyway, I agree with Casiopea. You don't have to know both English and French if you live in Canada. My friend is Canadian, and his French is poor.

[Noego]

My friend is Canadian, and his French is poor.

Indeed, and he wouldn't be the only one !

[lfjenny]

In Chinese,students must learn English from elementary school.