10 good reasons to learn a foreign language
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There are several ways in which tourism and economic development are linked. Tourism provides employment opportunities in industries like hospitality, which contributes to GDP growth. It also allows small businesses to start up catering to tourists, benefiting local artisans. Tourism drives infrastructure development that benefits the local community. Increased tourism revenue and spending also generate tax income for economic growth. Ensuring these benefits requires responsible development that balances tourism with available resources.
10 good reasons to learn a foreign language
- 1. 10 good ReasonstoLearn a ForeignLanguage There are somany greatreasonsfor learningaforeignlanguage thatwe thoughtwe’dbringyoutenof the best!Learninga foreignlanguage couldreallybe agreat ideaandin waysthat perhapsyouhadn’t considered.We thinkthattojustremainmonolingual,likeotherthingsinlife,justforcesself- constrainedlimitationsonyou.We live ina fantasticallyrichlyculturesworldandwe shouldall striveto understandandlearnas muchabout our world’sdiversityaspossible.Bynotlearningaforeignlanguage youcouldlimityourcommunicationandthinkingskillsbutmore importantly,youmaymissoutona whole hostof opportunitiesforpersonal,professional,socialandeconomicdevelopmentandsuccess. Sickand tiredof readingthingslike “Coldshreddedchildrenandseablubberinspicysauce”onmenus? There are manyforeignlanguagesthatyoucouldchoose toearn – French,SpanishorEnglishfor example.Here iswhyyoushouldbe learningaforeignlanguage. 1. To WidenyourUnderstanding Learninga foreignlanguage allowsyoutofullyappreciate the culture anditscontextof acountry.By understandingaperson’sculture,forexample,youcanavoidsituationswhichcouldcause misunderstandings.Sucheventshave beenwidelydocumentedinthe pressoverrecentyearsand companieslike HSBChave builtsuccessful advertisingcampaignsbasedonunderstandingcultural differences.Beingable tounderstandotherculturesandthroughlearningaforeignlanguage youcan bridge the gap betweencultures,whichwouldbe apowerful tool intoday’smodernworld.Itis interestingtonote that 52.7% of Europeansare fluentinat leasttwolanguages,whereasonly9.3%of Americans. 2. Improve yourEmployability A fundamental elementof businessisbeingable tosell aproduct.Sellingisall wellandgoodinyour owncountry,but whathappenswhenitcomesto sellinginaforeignmarket?Tosell youmust understandthe valuesandmoralsof the people youare sellingto.We live ina trulyglobal economyand companiesconstantlyexpandingoverseas.A more recentdevelopmentisthe globalisationof countries fromlessdevelopedcountries,suchasChinaandThailand,toEnglishspeakingcountries.These factors create strong demandformultilingual employees –businessesneedyouandare willingtopayforyou! Despite whatcareeryouchoose on,or whateveryourlife aims,it’sobviousthatlearningaforeign language certainlywon’thurtyou.The likelihoodisthatjobopportunitieswouldopenuptoyouthat wouldn’thave andwhat’sforsure isthat you will have muchmore earningpower.Andatthe veryleast, youcertainlywill standoutagainsta monolingualjobcandidate. 3. Betteryour ownLanguage skills Researchhasshownthat havingan understandingof aforeignlanguage alsohelpsyournative language development.Ithasbeenfoundthatstudentscandevelopbettervocabulariesandanimprovedlevel of literacyall throughstudyingaforeignlanguage.Infact, studieshave shownthatstudents’examscores – such as SATs – have improvedyear-on-yearforeveryyearaforeignlanguage isstudied.
- 2. 4. Developlife skills Learninga foreignlanguage involvesdifferentlearningskillsandhelpsdevelopkeyskillsthrough listening,writingandreading.Thisinturnwill helpactuallyhelpyouimprove inotherareastoo.Your general readingandmental skillsimprove throughstudyingalanguage.Infact,if studiedfroma young age,there will be averynoticeable benefittocognitive development,suchascreativity,problem-solving and reasoning.Butinadditiontothese skills,learningaforeignlanguagewillgive youimportantlife skills.Youwill be betterable toadaptandcope withchangesand to deal withunfamiliarandnew situations.Youwill alsofindthatyouare betterable tocommunicate withpeoplefromall walksof life. 5. Standout whenApplyingforHigherEducation Beingable to showto UniversityAdmissionClerksthatyouhave previouslystudieda foreignlanguage couldadd significantweighttoyourapplications.Youwill show thatyouare a more roundedand educatedperson –the sort of thingthat AdmissionClerksabsolutelylove. If youare lookingtostudya postgraduate forexample,aforeign languagemaywell be aprerequisiteof admission.Thisisespeciallyrelevantforthose studentsconsideringPhDapplicationsasresearchisoften publishedinbooksandprofessional journalsaroundthe globe. 6. DiscoverEntertainmentfromAroundthe World There are somany greatbooks,filmsandmusicfrommany countiesaroundthe world.A translationor dubis justnot the same as many elementsof language simplycan’tbe translatedliterallyfromone language toanother.To be able to access the world’sgreatwealthof literature,music,filmandtheatre youshoulddothemjustice andenjoythemintheiroriginal form.Learningaforeignlanguage will certainlyopenyoureyestoamazingthings. 7. EnjoyTravelling Beingable to travel andfullyimmerse yourself inthe countryandculture isa fantasticwayto holiday. Beingable to“go native”,takingpartin the everydaylife of regularresidents.Of course,we all knowitis possible totravel anywherethese dayswithoutspeakingthe nativelanguage. But,if youdon’tspeak Englishthen,well,you’llstruggletosaythe least.The language barriercan be anywhere frommildly frustratingtodangerousandintimidating.Havingstudiedaforeignlanguage youwill feel comfortable in orderingfood,understandingdirections,beingable tofullytravel onpublictransportandsave considerable moneyandmaybe evenbatterforthingsinshops.Infact,manypeople oftenappreciate it whenyoucommunicate intheirlanguage –or insome cases,at leasttry!Andremember,if youreally wantto explore acountryand get awayfromall the touristtraps,you’re definitelygoingtoneedto knowthe language.Perhapsone of the bestreasonsforstudyingaforeignlanguage don’tyouthink? 8. Beingable tostudyOverseas If youchoose to studya foreignlanguage youneedn’tstudyitatexpensive,limitedschoolsinyourown country.Why notcombine yourstudieswithtravellingandfindoutaboutstudyabroad programmes?
- 3. You’ve made itthisfar throughour Top 10 listand if you’re beginningtothinkyoushouldbe studyinga foreignlanguage thiscouldwell be the optionforyou.Youcouldbe studyingEnglishinLondon,French inParis or Chinese inBeijing.The opportunitiesare endless. The benefitsof studyingaforeignlanguage inastudyoverseasprogramme isthatyouwill be practicing all the time – as soonas youstepout the classroomyouwill be puttingwhatyoulearntintopractice. Comparedtostudyingina school inyour owncountry,the benefitsare two-fold:muchquicker developmentof yourlanguage skillsandthe chance tostudythe foreignlanguage’sculture andcontext. 9. Increase yourUnderstandingof yourownCulture If youstudya foreignlanguage anditsculture,youwill be able tosee yourownculture fromanother perspective.Encounteringothercultureswill allow youtoquestionthingsthatyou’ve takentobe universal.Studyingaforeignlanguage willgive youthe uniqueopportunityof steppingoutside the boundaryof your everydaylife.Experiencesof otherculturesandyourpersonal developmentthrough the studyof a foreignlanguage willgreatlyshape youridentityandheightenyourself-awareness 10. Make life-timeFriendships Studyinga foreignlanguage andall the opportunitiesitcanbringwill definitelyincrease the numberof people onthe globe whoyoucan meetandcommunicate with.Be itmeetinginternational students, immigrantsinyourcommunityandestablishingnew relationshipswithpeople overseas,studyinga foreignlanguage reallycanchange yourlife forthe better. So you’ve readour10 goodreasonswhyyoushouldbe learningaforeignlanguage andbeennodding your headall the way?Great! You have seenhow studyingaforeignlanguage canrichlydevelopyou and yourlife.Sowhatare youwaitingfor,readmore about studyingotherforeignlanguagesandstudy abroad programmes. The Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language at a Young Age Children gain several advantages when they study other languages. There are several long-lasting mental, social and even professional benefits to learning a foreign language at a young age. Children who continuously study other languages have often been shown to think in a different, more complex manner than youths who only learn their native tongue. They also are often more open and willing to accept the customs of other cultures. 1. Enhanced Learning Abilities o Studying foreign languages has been shown to have a positive effect on mental development, particularly in young people, and an enhanced overall intellectual growth. The Association of Departments of Foreign Languages states that
- 4. studying other languages at a young age can improve math and critical thinking skills as well as strengthen the use and understanding of a child's native tongue. Their research even shows that students who continuously take foreign language courses score higher on standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, with each additional year of study. Exposure to Other Cultures o Studying a foreign language early in life exposes children to other cultures--with different values, language patterns and ways of expressing themselves--in a way they never would have experienced had they not taken up the subject. By gaining the ability to communicate with people from other areas of the world at an early age, children become more interested in, as well as accepting of, ways of life that differ from their own. o Career Opportunities o Learning a foreign language at a young age gives students an advantage in becoming successful in their chosen careers later in life. By beginning studies early, students can take advantage of educational programs at the primary schools they attend as well as get a head start for studying languages in college or life after high school. Mastering a foreign language will also increase a candidate's chances in landing a desired job because she will be able to communicate with more people from other areas of the world, and corporations view this skill as a real asset. The Advantages of Foreign Languages in Elementary Schools Learning second languages can help parents and children communicate. There are many academic subjects that elementary students must master before being promoted from grade level to grade level. It is not always required, however, for elementary students to study foreign languages. Studies and experts claim that there are several advantages to learning to speak a second language at a young age and that many of those advantages pertain to academic and social progress. 1. Social Skills o Elementary students who study foreign languages are better equipped to embrace and interact effectively with people who are different. Learning a second language creates conceptual and linguistic bridges that make it easier for children to understand other cultures and to communicate with people
- 5. around the world. This increases the opportunities to be effective and successful members of the global society in the future. Learning a second language also improves chances of being hired and promoted in the global workplace. Cognitive Development o A child of elementary school age and younger gain greater cognitive capacities if he learns a second language. He performs better academically when he studies foreign languages, often excelling in many ares of study, including mathematics. These students tend to outperform other students who have replaced the study of an additional language with the continued study of mathematics or other academic fields. Students show improvements in creative abilities, problem solving skills and mental flexibility overall. Capabilites Due to Age o Younger children, of elementary school age and below, have the ability to pick up nuances in language such as native pronunciation and grammatical rules. This is because a child is still learning her own native tongues and her brain, like sponges, soak up differences in linguistics more easily than older children and adults. Because a young child also tends to be more motivated to learn new languages, she tends to excel in native pronunciation and intonation. Neurological Benefits o Studies by researchers at the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience in London, England, have concluded that learning a second language at a young age can actually alter the human brain. The anatomy or physical makeup of the brain is greatly affected by language when children are still in developmental stages and the introduction of a foreign language during this time can increase the development of the brain's grey matter. What Is Tourism and economic development are linked by the various ways in which tourism can contribute to the economic development of a tourist destination. This relationship between tourism and economic development is the basis for the dependence of some tourist-based economies on the effects of tourism for their economic development. For instance, tourism provides more jobs for local citizens, helps local citizens start businesses that cater to tourists, leads to the generation of revenue from tourist spending and fiscal policies, and aids in the development of infrastructure. One of the benefits or links between tourism and economic development is the fact that a vibrant tourist region provides employment for the citizens of that area. Tourism needs a lot of services in order to sustain the industry. For example, the hospitality industry creates jobs for people in businesses like hotels and restaurants.
- 6. Employment is a macroeconomic factor that contributes to the growth of an economy by providing workers with disposable income and consequently leading to an increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the region. Another way in which tourism and economic development are linked is through the provision of small or micro enterprises for certain citizens. The citizens that might benefit from small businesses linked to tourist include individual or sole entrepreneurs with limited funds and other types of collaborations that do not require a lot of finance. For instance, some people might open a store that mainly caters to the needs of tourists. They could collaborate with local artisans and craftsmen to supply them with handcrafted objects, which they would sell to the tourists as souvenirs. The store owners will share the profits with the local artisans, or they may buy the objects from them outright. This helps the economy by providing the poorer members of the community with disposable income. Tourists also like to visit places with a rich cultural heritage. Most times, these places are located in villages that would otherwise not receive much government attention. Due to the significance of the villages, they will receive more attention and more development as a result. Infrastructure to support the tourist market or trade includes factors like good airports, security, hotels and roads. Such factors help facilitate economic development and might not be as developed if not for their importance to the economy. For instance, a tourist destination that is located in a remote village will need good access roads, which might not be built if not for the tourist interest in the area. RelawwaationshipBetween Tourism and Economic Development? Tourismisan industrythatencompassesawide range of factors,includingtransportation,restaurants and otherhospitalityfacilities,local placesof attraction,andotherrelatedaspectslike carrentals.The besttipsfor tourismindustrydevelopmentwouldbe those thatleadtothe integrationandgreater cohesivenessbetweenall of the identifiedfactors,while maintainingahealthybalance withthe available resourcesintermsof natural andhuman resources.Tothisend,the tourismindustry developmenttipsincludethe analysisof the differentlocal tourismenvironmentswiththe aimof applyingadevelopmentalprocessthatfitsthe variousuniqueenvironments.Thisalsoinvolvesthe applicationof more responsiblebehaviortowardthe attainmentof developmentalgoalsaswell asthe enactmentof lawsandregulationsbythe variouscommunitiesaimedatencouragingdevelopment. Since the tourism industry is split along the lines of local, national and international practices, the particular type of tourism industry development tips will include an analysis of the unique factors in place in the area under consideration with the aim of finding the exact type of developmental goals to pursue. For instance, the type of tourism practices in place in an area where the main points of attractions are deserts will differ from the exact type of practice in coastal areas where the main attractions are related to the water. A place like Egypt would have different considerations from a place like Alaska or even the Bahamas, and these considerations will help in the development of tourism. The level of development for the society or community of the local tourism will also play a key role in the type of tourism industry development for that region. As such, less- developed countries will have their own peculiar sets of challenges that may differ significantly from that of more developed countries.
- 7. An example of how the tourism industry development in a less-developed country can differ from that in a more developed country can be seen in the area of challenges that are presented by a lack of adequate transportation, a lack of stability in the government, and a lack of the technology needed to enhance communication and other desirable factors. A tourism industry development application that can help build the industry is the enactment of laws by the various governments and local governments aimed at improving the tourist trade. Such laws could include the reduction of custom duties that tourists have to pay, or the reduction of the tax on their purchases. What Are the Best Tips for Tourism Industry Development? Between Tourism and Community Development? The connection between tourism and community development lies in the impact that tourism has on the host community. Any economic benefits found in tourism make up the most notable association between tourism and community development. Other effects of tourism may be socio-cultural or environmental. A significant number of communities depend on tourism as a primary source of income. For these communities, the income derived from a well-managed tourist trade could translate to an increase in tax revenue and a general improvement in the economy of the community. Tourism contributes to the growth of a community because it creates a lot of jobs in the various industries associated with tourism. Some examples include the hospitality industry, transportation, crafts and arts as well as entertainment. The association between tourism and community development can be seen in the manner in which an increase in business opportunities and corresponding employment opportunities contribute to an increase in the earning potential and standard of living of the members in the community. Tourism and community development are also linked by the effect that tourism has on the improvement on the infrastructural framework in the community. A country or community that is a tourist destination will undertake certain infrastructural development projects that will make the area more attractive to visitors. For instance, the community will invest in the construction of good roads as well as the establishment of a good transportation and communication system and other types of projects aimed at enticing more visitors to the area. Such investments also help enhance and facilitate community development, because the local community members will benefit from them as well. Another way in which tourism and community development are associated is through the impact that tourism has on the environment. For instance, most tourist destinations rely on natural resources as their main tourist attractions. Such tourist attractions are most often places like waterfalls, unspoiled beachfronts, local flora and fauna as well as historic sites and monuments. Places that are considered to be essential to the tourist industry are usually preserved and maintained in a manner that would probably not have been the case if not for their importance to the community. Most times, serious effort is put into the restoration and protection of these places, including ecological studies aimed at further development of the community as a whole.