Four reasons to learn a Foreign Language

A linguist and Columbia professor, Mr John McWhorter, recently conducted a talkback radio feature relating to learning new languages and the necessity for this. I heard about this both on the radio and in a CCTNews article which I have referenced below.  McWhorter makes the case that English is rapidly consolidating its position as the universal language, and points out how this begs  an important question: if you speak English already, why bother learning another language?  

According to McWhorter, English is on its way to becoming the predominant global language by the end of this century, thanks to its prevalence on the internet, and its use in the world of finance, diplomacy and air traffic control, and even though Mandarin is currently spoken by more people, far more Chinese speakers are learning English than the other way around.   If that were not enough reason to forget about studying a foreign language, he adds that instant translation of live speech is getting better every year.  
These two points lead McWhorter to ask: Why should anyone learn foreign languages if everyone will either be able to speak English, or have access to technology that will automatically translate speech?

McWhorter gives the following reasons as to why you should learn a foreign language:

• If you want to imbibe a culture, you have to control the language the culture is conducted in. Languages are tickets to being able to participate in the culture of the people who speak them, and so if you want to imbibe a culture, you have to control the language the culture is conducted in.
• Bilingualism is healthy. If you speak two languages, dementia is less likely to set in.
• Being bilingual makes you a better multi-tasker.
• Learning languages full of different sounds, and different word order is fun.
  

McWhorter concludes with a reflection on how it has never been easier to teach yourself a language. “You used to have to go to class, go to the laboratory, use records… and books that didn’t work”. In comparison, now we have “modern methods of learning languages would have sounded like science fiction to very sophisticated people”.

We agree with McWhorter, in that the options for language learning now are very vast and accessible. To truly grasp a language though there is a necessity to practice your communication skill so that when it is time to use it in real life, you have the skill and the confidence to do so. At Vocational Lanaguge Learning Centre (VLLC) we teach languages using multisensory techniques so that the language becomes a usable skill, just like your first language.

Start your learning experience in any of VLLC's 12 foreign languages online and you will open your eyes to a brand new future! The possibilities are endless! VLLC offers foreign language courses taught in one to one tutorials for each of the following languages.  Click on one of the following languages below to find out more; Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, English, French, German, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish or Thai. Learn your language at our Melbourne or Adelaide offices or via Skype using our exclusive online software.

Whether you want to learn a language for travel, business, love or to keep your brain active; VLLC have a comprehensive range of fully accredited courses to suit your needs.

VLLC aim to give students a voice and the self-assurance to speak through the practical application of the language. Key reasons to complete a course with VLLC include:

• You end up with a usable skill through language.
• You can build your confidence and have fun.
• You can reach a language goal without wasting your time.
• You learn correct pronunciation for practical usage.
• You can learn flexibly through the online client.
• You can become truly bilingual by thinking in your second language.

See how our language courses can help you and have a look at some of our Student's stories to see how learning a language can change your life.

http://www.cctnews.com/ted-talks-4-reasons-learn-new-language/3520/