Why, indeed, should one learn a foreign language? You may, after all, be living a fulfilling and successful life knowing only one language. This question is probably asked most by English speaking individuals. They would say that there is no need to learn a foreign language as they can get by with English anywhere they go anyway. So is there really a need to learn a language other than one’s own?

The answer is a resounding yes. For one, learning a language is one way to improve yourself and your awareness of other cultures. In this day and age, there is no such thing as a country on its own. Cross cultural communication and interaction is part of daily life. As such, it would be self enriching to actually learn more about a different way of life, including their language.

Another important reason for learning a language is of a more practical nature. People engaged in business have more chances of dealing with counterparts from the other side of the world today than ten years ago. Trade treaties and economic arrangements between countries and across continents have made this possible. On any given day, a businessman in the Americas may have to deal with another person in China or India. More and more people are being sent to different countries to do business. As such, a means of communication is important. Though it may be true that English is the most spoken language in business (hence the increased demand for English language schools all over the world), English speaking individuals would also benefit from learning the local language of their off shore offices. This would not only show respect for their counterparts but also help them catch nuances that may be lost in translation.

Now how about people who have been bit by the traveling bug? As airfares and travel expenses have taken a dive in the recent years, the number of travelers has increased tenfold. Learning at least the most basic elements of a foreign language would be helpful in these cases. Who said that learning a foreign language had to be a chore? It could be a pleasure, meant for leisurely activities as well!