Why learn a language?
Monday, 20th July 2009
As reported on thisislondon.co.uk last week, England rugby internationals Tom Palmer and James Haskell are taking intensive French lessons at their new club, Stade Francais. For the next month, they will be studying for three-hours per day, four days per week.
It’s great to see that their coach, Ewen McKenzie, has insisted on this. Many English speakers still seem to believe that you can get by speaking English wherever you go, so there’s no point in learning any other languages. If people don’t understand you, all you have to do is speak slowly and increase the volume! It’s true that you can get away with this if you only stick to popular tourist resorts, but if you want to get more out of the experience knowing the local language is a real necessity.
Palmer and Haskell are learning for their careers - to understand what the coach is saying, to speak to fans and to handle foreign press interviews – but there are plenty of other reasons why you should learn a language…
Make yourself more employable in a competitive market - In times like these, up-skilling is essential for any job seeker. Speaking a different language is a skill you will benefit from for life, and will get you a step ahead in the job market.
Get more out of time abroad - want to venture off the beaten track, get to know the locals, immerse yourself in the local culture, read signs and understand the menus? Being able to communicate with the locals is the best way to get the most out of your time abroad.
Meet interesting and like-minded people - attending a language course is a great way to make new friends, who are likely to be interested in the same things as you. Going to a weekly or intensive language class will spice up your social life.
For cultural enrichment – speak to people from many parts of the world, read great works of literature in their original languages and feel at home when travelling the world
To fall in love – “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language that goes to his heart,” Nelson Mandela.
Tags: language + sport, language courses uk, french lessons, language learning
Posted by Michelle Curtis 2009-07 under Cactus Language Courses UK, Attitudes to Language Learning, Experience Cultures, Blogs,
Permalink
