Do We Need To Learn A Second Language?

Why do we need to learn a language? Why indeed. I mean it's not as if the government thinks it's particularly important, well certainly not in terms of them making a GCSE in languages obligatory up to 16 years of age. But conversely they view getting young children interested at primary school a must - now it is compulsory for all primary schools to offer a language as part of the curriculum.

This strange ambivalence towards languages is puzzling because businesses continue to rate language skills as very desirable, the top three languages being French, German and Spanish, with Mandarin being taught at an increasing number of select schools. (Although I must say that companies could do a lot more to promote the need for language skills by advertising this requirement clearly and rewarding it accordingly).

I could tell you a multitude of clichés about how languages can 'broaden the mind' and 'open up doors to other cultures' but instead I'd like to keep this brief and simple: Learning another language is really fun.

Many occasions in my life I have had the pleasure of picking up a Spanish newspaper or magazine and being able to fully understand it. Moreover, to be able to have an impromptu conversation with a stranger in South America, just because you can, is a thrilling experience and highly recommended (even more so when you are lost!).

The excitement doesn't just begin when you are fluent. For me it all began when I was a teenager when I taught myself the basics of grammar, and then later at university when I was becoming fluent, writing a thesis in my third year. Every step of the way was enjoyable, even those days when nothing was sinking in and I just could not grasp the difference between 'Ser' and 'Estar', polite and informal or when to use the subjunctive tense.

Yes learning a language will help you to order your food in a restaurant and certainly will not hinder your chances of getting the job you really want. But it's more than that. It connects you with another place, other people, other lives; personal lives that you would not normally be connected to. It takes you away from our English-speaking island to the exotic outposts of Peru, Costa Rica and Panama where your language skills will touch the locals and make them smile, surprising them with your new-found confidence with your foreign tongue.

The world is getting smaller and we are being squeezed closer together as a result. I consider this to be a fantastic opportunity.

Therefore I plead with you to not be swayed by our government's confusing rhetoric and mixed messages about languages but instead take heed of your own inner desires to expand your thinking and embrace the cultural nuances of this world. If nothing else you will go some way to breaking the entrenched stereotype of the Englishman abroad, reading 'The Sun' newspaper while eating their 'Fish and Chips'. Get out there and have fun!