Foreign language learning is a heated point of contention for many an American school board. As English becomes more and more ubiquitous, some administrators have trouble seeing the point of learning a foreign language, beyond that of a graduation requirement. If students aren't even using the language after graduation, they say, why aren't we using that time to focus more on math and science?

It's a valid point. Students don't often retain a foreign language if they've been forced to study one, but that doesn't erase the benefits of its availability. While the need for math and sciences is certainly great, so too is the need for a better understanding of not only a culture's language, but the culture itself.

As foreign language learning progresses through school systems, it has grown to encompass far-reaching studies of the cultures that speak the language in question. These studies function differently than a history class; instead of focusing on specific events in times long past, cultural language studies look at everyday, modern lives. And here lies perhaps the greatest benefit of foreign language learning: the opportunity to encourage tolerance and diversity by way of understanding. Students who understand the inner workings of a society are far less likely to discriminate against it -- and they may even be inspired to promote cultural diversity as the very real threat of globalization goes sweeping the world.

Of course, learning the language itself is of benefit beyond that of cultural diversity. Though English is becoming a sort of world language, it is still important in many situations -- both personal and professional -- to speak the mother tongue of another country. On a business level, it is a sign of respect and responsibility to not assume that your overseas counterpart speaks English. What's more, many governmental jobs require you to know at least one other language, especially if you'll be working with nations unable to afford the luxury of language instruction. Scientists, too, learn foreign languages to keep up with the many texts not written in (and often not translated to) English.

Foreign language learning is also vital to any traveler. You can usually get by with English, but you'll find your experiences broadened by knowing the language of the country to which you've traveled. Consider all the places you could go, all the people you could meet, if you were able to check your English at the door and go exploring the areas not intended solely for tourists. You'll be able to interact with a culture instead of merely witnessing it. And who knows? You might even build some long-lasting friendships.

Successfully learning a foreign language is the ultimate accomplishment. It's difficult work, often taking years and years to master (which is precisely why so many people give up), but being able to interact with a culture, navigate the streets of a foreign city or simply watch a foreign movie without subtitles makes all of that work completely worth it.


Source: David Crystal. "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language." Second Edition.