what language should i learn to be more competitive in today's global culture?
401667
Learn English, Chinese and Spanish.
429512
I suggest you learn a third language. French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, just go for the one which might help you most in the future.
1104571
There is no "best" language. If you're making something world with a mechanical / electrical device that you made yourself (wow), then I'd suggest something low level as well.\n\nAt the highest level probably C or C++. If you wanted it to be amazingly fast (but difficult to code), use Assembly.
327869
Get a group of friends and start speaking new slang that only everyone in the group will understand. With luck, maybe in a thousand years, a group of people will be speaking your language.
123699
You don't "select" an international language. This should be a language of the most intellectually and technically advanced nation. In the previous millennium the fitst international language was French, before WWII it seems we had two international languages - German and English, now we have English. It became "lingua franca" because after WWII the US became the most economically and technically advanced nation. That is why, whether you like it or not, you've got to learn English.Then, of course, a language which is supposed to be international has to have a rich litterary and cultural tradition.\nAll the aforementioned is not the case of artificial languages like esperanto, that is why they are not widespread.\nBy the way,  English  is not a very easy language, but I wouldn't say it is that difficult.\nFrench is much more difficult.\nConjugation of Spanish verbs is very difficult, and business Spanish is not easy either.\nRusian is an extremely difficult language.\nAnd Hebrew, in spite of the fact that it is, in a way, an "artificial" and "mathematical" language (I mean modern Hebrew), is a very difficult language too.\nWhich means, again, that there are no "easy" languages. You've just got to learn a foreign language. And it takes time and a lot of perseverance, beleive me. The earlier you start - the better.
623732
Communicating with others outside of your own culture/community.\n\nEasier time traveling through the world.\n\nUnderstanding the reason why our language is the way it is is rooting in understanding other languages also.\n\nWages are higher when you know another language.\n\n\nThese are just a few!
1043359
I suggest taking a class for this language. You can take an online course lested below.
445729
mmmm, depends on what you are searching a second language for. Spanish is useful as well as French for getting along with people around the world. This 2 languages along with English are great for traveling or having relationships with people of other countries. Mandarine is good aldo, but very difficult to learn, so, I think that with Spanish, French and English you are done. Besides, once you have them you get the basics of lots of other languages like italian, german, etc.
872493
The language that's easier is dependant on what your native language is. If your native language is English, French will be easier than German by a little bit. And French is also one of the more popular "official" languages used in international relations and business. In addition, many important international papers are published in English and French. Lastly, many graduate programs (depending on the field, of course) demand that you have at least a reading knowledge of French (of course, some demand German. Some demand both, or neither...)\n\nSo I'd recommend French. \n\nSomeone here mentioned that German is similar to Polish. It is not.
76084
Community\n\nIf you can spend time in that community and environment that you ""must"" use that language to survive. That will help a lot.
65019
Chinese. China is the most populated country in the world and will continue to grow exponentially. If you have any interest in the business world, knowing Chinese will be an amazing asset.\n\nIt is THE one language to learn - don't bother with issues like ease or how cool Japanese aname is. They're not relevant to the question.
99533
French is a lot easier. Take it from a singer. I've had to learn Italian and German. Those where the two hardest for me. Chinese from what I've heard from people is a little tougher. Choose what u think is comfy for u.
883171
If I should limit myself to only one language it would be probably Arabic, it is very challenging. And of course, to improve my Spanish.\nHave a nice time!
916365
I'd recommend Mandarin Chinese.  It is very different from English and so it will stimulate new and different parts of your brain.  Also, China may be taking over the world soon.\nIf not that, how about International Sign Language?  Again, a very different language, and a useful one, too.
890713
I'd start with international companies like Toyota, Caterpillar, Honda, GM, Ford, etc.  I work for one of these and we put a lot of emphasis on the International Business folks.\n\nBasically any company that needs folks that understand import / export and monetary exchanges.  It also doesn't hurt to have language skills.\n\nGood luck!
764252
Hello! Welcome to management in a culturally diverse environment!\n\nThere are some websites that offer online lessons of varying degrees of quality, but it depends on what languages you need to learn. \n\nFor the moment, however, you might want to use http://world.altavista.com to translate common words and phrases in different languages so that you can at least speak and give direction, even if you can't understand your staff's responses.\n\nBetter yet, make it a team project to teach and to learn each others language. Consider asking your staff to teach you basic words and phrases in their language and you can teach them English. Is a member of your staff bilingual enough to coach you in the language and culture? \n\nIf you have staff meetings, create a standing 15-20 minute agenda item on teaching and learning new words--and keep it fun!  \n\nBe creative! \n\nDo use hand and body language, draw pictures. That's how people get along in a foreign country...it works! And you don't have to be good at it, but your staff will appreciate the effort you make to learn their language. \n\nIf you can, get a "teach yourself" language book or take a class to learn basic grammar and words. Ultimately, the best way to learn a foreign language is to try to speak it--that's the "organic" way to learn it. \n\nAs you work to learn each other's languages, you'll find that you'll establish working relationships with your staff, which is key to good management. And you'll be surprised at how quickly you'll learn to communicate! \n\nGood luck!
660667
I would say it doesn´t really matters what program you use, the important thing is PRACTICING what you've learned...Have you notice those people who get embarrassed when they try to speak the language they're learning? yes, they will hardly speak it fluently some day...so if you have spanic people around you, USE THEM!!! (in good sense of the word, of course). If you get a decent program and you speak and speak to those who know the language (specially if they correct your mistakes), you'll be fluent faster than you say PRONTO PRONTO!