why we have to learn foreign languages?
142882
Because they exist. You don't really have to learn a foreign language, but it is a benefit. Besides, some jobs require talking to people from foreign countries, and learning to make some nice relations, if nothing else, is a benefit.
400422
Languages are learnt by absorbing it's dialects by the subconcious mind. When you learn a language when you are grown up it is harder to learn it. The same language would have been learnt easily had it been learnt in childhood. For example , if you begin to learn chinese it is extremely difficult when you are grown up as your concious mind interferes with the learning process but have you noticed that the chinese children have mastered it since their early years? The same Logic holds true for all languages.\n\nNow coming to the central point of using a language. This is governed by your mood & your requirement of Communicating. The best of the best speakers communicating in many languages  ALWAYS curse , use unusable words in THEIR MOTHER TONGUE. But when it comes to meeting their needs they revert to what will benefit them the most. For example ,according to your moods, governed by the subconcious partly residing in the Right brain you will pass comments on a woman/man you have a crush on, in a language she/he won't understand in a Public place. So you can see that the usage of language is governed by your mind especially the subconcious.
845148
I speak English, Bulgarian, Russian, Spanish, Italian, French; studied Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese and Farsi...\n\nI can't even BEGIN to list the advantages that weren't even mentioned in the previous replies. But just for the sake of showing some effort, here are a couple of things that make you really appreciate understanding (and using, eventually) a foreign language:\n\nI. Humour (you learn to "get" all the jokes). This is also the shortest way to make friends and become accepted anywhere. Also gives a profounds insight into the culture. Understanding another culture's humour is 70% of the culture per se already. Usually, humour is applied to the most important issues in a society.. Once you get that, you're in.\n\nII. Money.. Obviously. I don't think anyone can deny the fact that languages are "useless" in the INFORMATION AGE. \n\nIII. Respect -- to me personally, knowing a language (in any and all of its aspects) has become a source of healthy self-esteem and significant satisfaction in respect to my social status and interactions.\n\nIV. It's SEXY -- if you know how to use it, it can be the most potent aphrodisiac served on the most succulent plate of all: the tongue ;) I would advise every one to serve themselves in that sense.. ;)\n\nV. It's intelligent -- the philosophy that everyone "educated" already speaks English, so there's no point in learning other languages is the most self-destructive one that a culture can present to the world. It is a philosophy of arrogance and ignorance. The worst thing one can do is not learn. Learning, of whatever you want, is the definition of an intelligent being. The important thing is to avoid following boring, conventional methods when you study... Learning is all about innovation, about finding new things and information, about enriching your ways. So, there's no reason why you should go with the established system. You should experiment and try different little ways and find the one that is most pleasant to you :)\n\nOn this positive note, I bid you good night B-)\n\n\nVeronika
691887
Just looking at Yahoo! Answers alone, you'll see many users asking and answering for the purpose of improving their English. Currently, the internet is mostly influencing people of other native languages to learn more English so they can tap the huge wealth of information available on English-only websites.\n\nHowever, the internet also gives English speakers the chance to learn about other cultures and to even learn other languages also. And it gives foreign-language speakers the chance to continue communicating in their native language even if they've moved somewhere far away where no one else speaks it. In the future, these communities of foreign-language speakers will no doubt continue to grow as internet use increases world-wide.\n\nThe one thing I'm worried about is the distant future when it might be possible to automatically translate anything on the internet into one's one language and do it well. If that becomes possible, it could deter speakers of any language from communicating in the one most familiar to them and would be a severe detriment to international culture.
625740
This is probably the most intelligent question I've seen on here all night. I agree with you. I'm a foreign language teacher and my take has always been that when you travel to another country you should at least pick up a little of the language to use with the locals. When you decide to LIVE in a country, you need to learn the language. Language and culture are so closely related that you can't fully assimilate unless you learn the language.
493135
I think when you want to learn a foreign language, you need to learn the basics with a private teacher who will have all the focus on you and then you should go to, you know, public classes so you will be able to communicate with others. The best thing is to be in a place (specially a city or country) where people speak that language. \nAnyways, if you don't want classes I recommend this CD that will work beautifully." Learn To Speak French" is the name. They have this CD for other languages too; such as English, Spanish , etc. It's really great. You can even take online courses and besides it's really beneficial since you can have conversations with characters in the program. Your reading, writing, speaking and listening will improve all together. \nGood luck! :)
383520
I love to learn other languages. \n\nLanguages are the essence of culture and visa versa. One cannot exist without the other. This is mostly noticeable in languages which are still not effected by the onslaught of modern Western civilization. I speak several European languages where the mind-set and ideals are all basically the same. \n\nBut when you begin to learn languages that are not of the  European descent things start to change drastically. You find connections with nature and the world around you that have been lost or are lacking in the major European languages. Ways to express things in a whole different sense.\n\nI speak fluent Mandarin and have a BA in Mongolian language and literature, I am also learning Cherokee. All three of these languages do not fit into the European language category and are fascinating; but with that also comes the hard part, learning to understand and absorb the new ways of seeing things and different ways of expression. Each of these different languages has its own individual connection with people and the world around it. The Chinese language is very cut off from nature and sees humanity as the strong point in its expression. Whereas the Mongolian language is very much a part of the natural world in its strong and expressive vocabulary connected to nature.\n\nLanguages are fascinating! They provide us our thought process, our world-view and the way we perceive life in general. \n\nLanguages can be a hindrance or a mind-opening experience.
700219
why do you make that assumption?  In english speaking countries it is still important to be able to communicate.  I'm sure it's that way in other countries with their own languages, too.
33293
Usualy learning a foreign language that belongs to a linguistic group completely different from the languages you already learned before , takes at least 6-8 month if living in the society talking that language ( in this example english ) and having mass media in that language ,and will take much more , approximately twice as long , that's mean 1 year to 18 months if living in a society talking another language than the learning one or living in your homeland . \n    As less you talk another language than the learning one , as soon will you be able to learn the new language .
186780
To tell U the TRUTH, LEARNING A LANGUAGE, is A LIFE-TIME commitment,as a Language, like English, even French, is in a constant STATE of FLUX.As r the Methods of Teaching them.\nBut with conscious effort, U can learn ENGLISH, passing-well, in USA, in 3 years, even less, as You will be 'LIVING ln THAT MILIEU'.
559851
because the other languages are so numerous, that it is easier to keep english or french. there are alot of other tribal languages they would have to learn.
113502
I think there's nothing wrong with learning a little bit of many different languages like you are doing now.  If you feel the need to concentrate on one, I recommend that you consider which languages are most available to you for learning (such as which ones are most convenient for you to take classes in, for example) and which ones you feel will be most useful to you in the future (such as with future boyfriends/girlfriends or in your future profession).\n\nIn addition, why restrict yourself to focusing on just one?  After you work on one new language for a while and you feel that your communicative needs are met, why not learn more?  Knowing more languages is its own reward, IMHO.
983350
I don't think it's the average thing that your friend is required to take at least 4 languages (unless if she's a Frysian or an immigrant). It must have been sort of her own choice in the educational package.\n\nBut it's true that we are all required to learn at least three languages, including Dutch. English is obligatory, and all schools teach German and French too. Some offer Spanish, Russian or Chinese as number 4.\n\nWhy? Because we would not get around much if we would only speak Dutch. Our country has always been internationally orientated, it's a culture of overseas traders.\n\nIn fact, I believe that all countries in this world should make one or two extra languages obligatory.\n\nI speak 6 languages myself, of which four come fluently like a second nature.
1134099
Think about it. If you were to emigrate to another country that speaks Spanish, do you think the locals would all learn English just for you? Hell no. They would expect you to learn the country's official language. I don't see why that is such a hard concept for some people to grasp.
766864
Because the European Council promotes multilingualism and cross-cultural dialogue. They have this policy, and spend tons of euros on this matter. There are many projects especially made for this aim. The aim of EU is to make every European know at least two languages.
880523
Because... he/she want to learn Spanish...\nIf he/she don't want to learn Spanish.. It's okay
12334
It depends how much time you are willing to spend on one language. Language is a tool for communication. It will help you to understand a culture or others from a language. You could start it from watching french movies or listen french songs to gain your interesting. Once you enjoy the language that brings you exploring new experience , the learning process will not be hard at all.