Right, i have a serious decision about my life to make and need some serious input! so ...
I may have the chance to study in a country, fully paid for on a *very* generous grant each month, purely to learn the language (intensive 12 month study course. 8 hours a day. every day apart from sunday), then 6 months working there, using my skills.
I'd love to do this, but i don't think I'd ever use another language. So i ask you this:
Is your second language of any use to you? Do you use it every day? if so, why, or why not? Did you develop it for fun, or because you needed it?
Any input would be greatly apprectiated!
Jamie
'...This reply is going to be very controversial and I apologise in advance if I upset anyone.
Everyone outside of the US knows that North America are not the World leaders they think they are and their popularity is at an all time low.
The World is changing and, while it used to be an advantage to speak any of the European languages; Spanish, French, German, Italian etc., all relatively easy to learn, you now have a huge advantage if you speak Thai, Japanese, Korean or any of the Chinese dialects.
The second language you try is the most difficult to learn, after that additional languages come fairly easily, especially if Latin-based.
It really is a no-brainer. An old girlfriend of mine came from Austria to the Canary Islands to learn Spanish when I lived there. After becoming fluent in a little over 18 months she stayed, has a very good job and is now fluent in several European languages and has never looked back. Languages open doors to job opportunities, travel and hot foreign chicks'.
If you're not convinced now, you never will be...lol.
English is the language of the Internet and Aviation but if you want to be taken seriously outside of the US you MUST speak at least one other language.
Europeans are so used to traveling to other countries we cannot believe many North Americans don't have a passport. It's like they are all Hillbillies. (Sorry for the controversy, but I did warn you).
There is no prestige in being so insular and traveling from state to state means nothing. You are still in the US.
In most European countries, for every extra language you speak you will get up to a third more added to your salary. This does not apply in The Netherlands and Belgium where almost everyone speaks a minimum of three languages.
I'm busting a gut here to try to convince you but PLEASE, PLEASE...If you have a chance to travel and learn another language. DO IT!
themagician