Some people say that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel or to work in a foreign country. Other say that this is not the reason why someone should learn a foreign language. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
In this day and age, learning a second language is considered a useful and essential tool for people of all ages. While many pursue a foreign language so as to travel or work overseas, there are still some opponents who believe this is not the reason for learning a new language. From my perspective, a new language should be digested with a demand to discover the world and broaden people’s horizons .
On the one hand, a second language, to many learners, is considered as a way which helps them to travel and find a job in another country. In fact, in this knowledge – based society, each employee is required a lot of relevant knowledge and skill sets to win a job vacancy and fluency in a foreign language can place at the top of the list. Applicants, especially graduates, are more likely to win in the competitions and have more employment opportunities with qualifications in foreign languages. Additionally, those travellers who have demand to explore new countries can easily pass the interviews and get passports to travel overseas. Utilizing a second language fluently also assists travelers in communicating, bargaining as well as helps them to avoid cultural shock. Therefore, many language learners pursue their second languages as a means to travel and work overseas.
On the other hand, the purpose of learning a new language of some people derives from the need to explore the world and enlarge their horizons. In fact, language is a means to have access to the culture and custom of a country. When it comes to learning a different language, people, therefore, can stand a chance to delve more into the life from another nations and how the residents enjoy their life in another parts of the world. Also, to many people who are passionate about languages, they learn a second language in order to broaden their knowledge through reading foreign books and make friend with foreigners. A recent study among students from a university in Ho Chi Minh city indicates that those students who are able to read ecademic books in English tend to understand more clearly and deeply the knowledge rather than those read those books translated into Vietnamese.
In conclusion, the purpose of learning a second language can vary. Regardless of purposes it results from and outcomes it brings, I still contend language learners should start with a desire to enhance their horizons and discover the world.