The All In One Language School
As we mentioned in one of our previous posts, travelling is one reason why learning a foreign language is a wise idea. People often say that it isn't necessary to speak the local language of your holiday destination, simply because English is widely spoken in most popular tourist destinations. But, while it’s true that you can speak to the locals in English on holiday, there are some places where this won’t work and so, for some holidays, knowing at least a little bit of the local lingo may prove to be one of those ‘essentials’ that you shouldn’t leave home without! Besides, even in those places where most people do speak English, being able to say a few words in the local tongue can really enhance your trip. For starters, speaking to the locals in their language will make them like you more and, who knows, you may even find that the hotel and restaurant staff treat you a little bit better than the rest! What’s more, saying a few words in the local language and making that extra effort can unlock new doors and help you discover more exciting, in-depth, little-known experiences that the people who only speak English don’t get. And if all of that isn’t enough, perhaps knowing that being able to converse with the locals in their own language is extremely rewarding and that it can give you a real sense of satisfaction will be enough to inspire you to learn a few more phrases than just the standard “Hola” and “Donde está la biblioteca?”.
In the end, a lot of the time it is actually essential to know some key phrases in your destination language, as English alone won’t be enough. But, as we’ve said, even in those places where English is enough to get you by, knowing even the smallest bit of the local language will make your trip that little bit more special.
Nowadays, to many people in the United Kingdom learning a foreign language might appear to be an eccentric hobby at best, and, at worst, a complete waste of time. It’s easy to see why this opinion is held by so many here, when not only is English the only language you will ever need in your own country, but, owing to it being one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world, you’ll find it’s entirely possible to communicate solely in English when you’re abroad too. This, coupled with the fact that most big business is conducted in English, means that it is only natural to think that this language alone will suffice, thus rendering it pointless to learn other languages. However, this could not be further from the truth, and this blog will outline some of the reasons why learning a foreign language is not only useful, but necessary.
Employment
First of all, learning a foreign language will provide a definite boost to your employment prospects. Some jobs require that you speak a foreign language, and for those positions that don’t, speaking a second language will only improve your attractiveness as a candidate in general, and also increase your chances of getting specific jobs. If a company cannot choose between two candidates, the candidate holding a second language will instantly stand out as one who is open to self-improvement, who is hard-working, diligent, patient and skilled, and this can make all the difference in the eyes of the interviewer.
Travelling
Although learning the local language might be considered essential in advance of a permanent move abroad, many Brits find that it is possible to travel abroad and get by without speaking the local language. However, conversing with the locals in their own language can be extremely rewarding. Not only will you feel more immersed in your holiday, but you will also make your hosts happy, and will feel more welcomed as a result. Who knows, they may even share some secrets about your holiday location and help you get off the beaten track, all of which leads to a better holiday. In short, if you speak the language of the place you are visiting, you will get so much more out of your trip.
Personal Wellbeing
Finally, learning a foreign language is an extremely rewarding experience. Even in a small way, knowing how to speak another language can lead to a real sense of achievement. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that speaking more than one language can delay the onset of dementia, meaning that even if you don’t need to speak a foreign language for work or travel, you can always do it in order to improve your mental health!
There are many reasons why it is beneficial to learn another language, and I’ve given the three that are most important to me here, so if you have any more, please feel free to comment with them!
As we mentioned in one of our previous posts, travelling is one reason why learning a foreign language is a wise idea. People often say that it isn't necessary to speak the local language of your holiday destination, simply because English is widely spoken in most popular tourist destinations. But, while it’s true that you can speak to the locals in English on holiday, there are some places where this won’t work and so, for some holidays, knowing at least a little bit of the local lingo may prove to be one of those ‘essentials’ that you shouldn’t leave home without! Besides, even in those places where most people do speak English, being able to say a few words in the local tongue can really enhance your trip. For starters, speaking to the locals in their language will make them like you more and, who knows, you may even find that the hotel and restaurant staff treat you a little bit better than the rest! What’s more, saying a few words in the local language and making that extra effort can unlock new doors and help you discover more exciting, in-depth, little-known experiences that the people who only speak English don’t get. And if all of that isn’t enough, perhaps knowing that being able to converse with the locals in their own language is extremely rewarding and that it can give you a real sense of satisfaction will be enough to inspire you to learn a few more phrases than just the standard “Hola” and “Donde está la biblioteca?”.
In the end, a lot of the time it is actually essential to know some key phrases in your destination language, as English alone won’t be enough. But, as we’ve said, even in those places where English is enough to get you by, knowing even the smallest bit of the local language will make your trip that little bit more special.