The value of learning a foreign language

Since I am the student of English, I can’t imagine a situation where I’m deprived of the possibility of learning any foreign language. No way! I dread the thought of not mugging up on my grammar tests or learning vocabulary till the crack of dawn. What about studying literature? It’s a pleasure to visit Great Gatsby in his luxurious house or float with Huckleberry Finn on the Mississippi River.

Although there are a lot of arguments in favor of learning foreign languages, people seem to be ignorant about them. I know it’s sad but unfortunately true.

With reference to an article published in The Observer I want to convince anyone who will read my post on this blog to study foreign languages. It’s quite strange that in a world that is becoming more global foreign languages are taken off the school curriculum. Why? Is it really so tormenting necessity to learn foreign languages?

I’ve heard that among people from English-speaking countries there's a feeling that everybody else speaks English anyway so any additional language is necessary. For most British people the idea of language learning is tied up with the dreaded phrase "écoutez et répétez", or frowning over tables of German "cases". However, learning a language is not just about grammar and vocabulary but primarily about communication and cultural understanding.

I STRONGLY believe that languages can open doors for you since with the knowledge of any extra languages you better fit the world. You avoid occupying the same positions, the same phrases, all your life, as the author of the article states. You are free to choose your dream job, travel around the world, meet new people, and what is the most important communicate with them.

REMEMBER! It’s better to speak a foreign language imperfectly than not to speak it at all.

What’s more, each language allows you to express ideas, thoughts, and feelings…
Imagine being in a doctor’s office and trying to explain your illness, and not understanding the diagnosis. It can be compared to a situation where a dog tries to talk to a pig. It wouldn’t work, for sure.

Viva carnival!

Singer Whitney Houston dies at 48

              Legendary pop singer Whitney Houston was found dead Saturday at a Beverly Hills, California, hotel, officials said. She was 48.

                The entertainer, whose incredible talent was discovered at an early age, was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. (6:55 p.m. ET) at the Beverly Hilton hotel despite resuscitation efforts, a police spokesman said.

Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen said there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent" and that the cause of her death is being investigated. Houston's bodyguard found her body, said Courtney Barnes, publicist for hip-hop artist Ray J, who was dating the pop diva. According to her official website, Houston sold more than 170 million albums, singles and videos. But she also struggled with addiction problems over the years.

Houston, whose hits included "The Greatest Love of All," died on the eve of the 54th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. She had performed as late as Thursday night at a pre-Grammy event in the area. A pre-Grammy party was scheduled Saturday night at the Beverly Hilton.