Why Americans Should Learn a Second Language
The major languages in the United States are English, Spanish, and Chinese, with these last two quickly gaining prominence, and about 17.9 percent of Americans speak a language other than English at home. Keeping this in mind, it is almost essential today to learn a second language. Being bi-, tri- or multilingual has many advantages, the more obvious being that one can communicate with exchange students, immigrants, and fellow online gamers, chatters, and forum users, as well as to bridge cultures and societies through lingual commonality and better understanding. It also can give a person a fresh eye for their own society and culture, and even improve understanding of the mechanics of one's own language, all by comparison.
Everyone wants to be understood. It is hard coming to a foreign country, or visiting one, having little practical exposure to the language. Everyday things like going to the grocery store or going to school can be difficult because of language barriers, and wouldn't you be frustrated if you went to a grocer in another language and couldn't find the aisle for something because you didn't know what the signs said?
It is beneficial for newcomers to find some people who can help them by speaking the language they've grown up with. It is also good for the foreign language-learning English speaker, who builds skills and confidence with the language by being helpful and applying the language to practical things like that. Not to mention that it makes online game play, forums, and chatting much less frustrating when you can understand what your fellow players are saying in their own language.
It's easy to read books in English on another society and culture, but while they seem interesting, there is no way to get a full understanding of these things without some type of immersion. Knowing the language of a place gives you an "insider's view" of its culture and society, and the people, if you ever visit somewhere they don't speak English; not to
Everyone wants to be understood. It is hard coming to a foreign country, or visiting one, having little practical exposure to the language. Everyday things like going to the grocery store or going to school can be difficult because of language barriers, and wouldn't you be frustrated if you went to a grocer in another language and couldn't find the aisle for something because you didn't know what the signs said?
It is beneficial for newcomers to find some people who can help them by speaking the language they've grown up with. It is also good for the foreign language-learning English speaker, who builds skills and confidence with the language by being helpful and applying the language to practical things like that. Not to mention that it makes online game play, forums, and chatting much less frustrating when you can understand what your fellow players are saying in their own language.
It's easy to read books in English on another society and culture, but while they seem interesting, there is no way to get a full understanding of these things without some type of immersion. Knowing the language of a place gives you an "insider's view" of its culture and society, and the people, if you ever visit somewhere they don't speak English; not to