Author Archives: gabriele monti

Why People Are Learning Japanese

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The Japanese language is one of the most challenging and unique tongues for a western person to learn. Its hieroglyphs and symbols completely differ from the familiar Latin script, yet, there are over 3 million students aiming to make Japanese their second tongue. A number of reasons encourage people to take language classes: some are attracted by the country’s abundant heritage while others are stimulated by the modern side of Japanese life – cuisine and entertainment elements such as sushi, karaoke or anime – to name a few. College students and young specialists are often attracted by the Japanese labor market – a highly technological and multi-industrial blooming zone with a huge potential for bi-lingual employees.
Below you can see how learning Japanese may benefit you both from personal and professional perspectives.
Japan - Kyoto

Japanese unique culture – source

Unique Traditional Culture

Despite modernization, Japanese cultural identity is well preserved and its original customs still have a solid impact on the daily routine. Throughout the last hundred years Japanese lifestyle has been gradually exposed to the outside world through books, movies, museums and art. Words like “kimono”, “hanami” or “tea ceremony” became strongly associated with the land of the rising sun. Translated films and books, however, cannot fully convey the true meaning behind the story; therefore historians, scholars or linguists are inspired to study the language in order to get access to the original literature, ancient scripts and other fragments of the Japanese culture.

Contemporary Food and Pop Culture

Japan is known for its rich cuisine traditions and pop culture. Many modern social elements that have become extremely popular around the world originate from Japan. Karaoke, anime or sushi are just a few examples that drive people to start learning Japanese. Some manga fans, for example, prefer to watch their favorite cartoons in their original version without getting distracted by the English subtitles. As it comes to karaoke, the Japanese language can come quite handy for those who plan to take part in a Japanese-speaking get-together party. Gourmet enthusiasts may enjoy preparing sushi, wagashi or other national delicacies using authentic recipes written in Japanese.

Access to Business and Employment

Many young employees, graduates or students see Japanese market as a bright career opportunity for which the language knowledge is a must. Various industries and professional fields offer positions for skilled experts, including Japanese-speaking foreigners. Job offers range from IT and software consultants to entertainment and gastronomy specialists. Since Japanese business culture and working ethics differ significantly from the western traditions, many students choose to learn Japanese locally or from a native speaker – to get the outmost for the future career plans.
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For about 300 hundred years Japan and its citizens were cut off from almost all interaction with the outside world. Since the beginning of the 19th century the country has changed its isolation policy and a process of modernization has begun. Today it is a thriving, technologically advanced society that welcomes tourists, potential employees, foreign students or anyone wishing to get the authentic experience of this unique country.

Immersing Yourself In Everything Spanish

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Spain has been high on the UK tourist list for many years. Sun, sea and Sangria have long been the theme. If you are thinking about making a life for yourself and your family in Spain there will be plenty of reminders of home.

Ryanair

With Ryanair getting to Spain is faster than ever (and cheap) – source

The tourist invasion

When we ‘invaded’ Spain as tourists in the 1960s and 70s we took many of our familiar favourites with us. This is why you can find fish and chip shops, Chinese and Indian restaurants and English pubs over there. Typically then although we loved the sun, the temperatures and the cheap vino, we craved our ‘British’ food.

Ex-pat communities

Next it became a favourite retirement place. Consequently many communities of ex-pats grew up in popular resorts who got by with only a smattering of Spanish. The Brits who settled opened the English pubs and fish and chip shops so that others like them could enjoy the comforts of home … in the sun.

Making a life in Spain

For those wishing to work in Spain and make a life there now, immersion in the lifestyle and culture is recommended. Learning the language so that you aren’t restricted in either the jobs you can do or the company you keep is a great starting point.

Get a taste of Spain

Trying the Spanish cuisine is next in line so that you get a real ‘taste’ for the Spanish lifestyle. Some of the favourites which are good to start with include Tapas which is a selection of small dishes such as olives, cheese, shrimps, squid and chorizo. Others include Paella: most commonly a rice dish with chicken and seafood; Spanish omelette, Patatas Bravos – yes potatoes – or Gazpacho a chilled tomato soup.

Now that Spanish food is more readily available in restaurants and supermarkets over here this shouldn’t be difficult to accept.

Moving to Spain

As both the UK and Spain are part of the EU you are free to travel and work in Spain without requiring a work permit as long as you are a British citizen or a citizen of another EU country. You can stay for up to three months as a tourist. If you stay longer you must register and you will be given a certificate of residence. You must also show evidence that you can support yourself and evidence of healthcare insurance.

Keeping in touch with family and friends in the UK is easy. There are plenty of mobile networks that allow instant access but a cheaper and easy option is Skype where you can not only speak but see one another on your laptop or iPad screen.

There are many online sites that help you understand all the things you need to do or need to know to set up home in Spain. Check one of these out before you go to see what you need to do.

But at least there are now online sites to help your search for jobs in Spain and many which allow you to upload your CV so that it is available for prospective employers to read. The Internet has certainly helped to make it easier for people to be mobile.

By Harry Price

Harry Price  is a free-lance writer who enjoys hiking, camping and playing poker with his mates. He has 3 wonderful dogs who run his life.

What To Expect On Your Camino De Santiago Walking Tour

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You have made the decision to embark on one of the most famous pilgrimages in the world, you’ve booked your Camino de Santiago walking tour, you’ve read up on all the advice past pilgrims have to give about packing, and you’ve started training so your feet won’t be unpleasantly surprised when they’re suddenly walking miles and miles for days on end. However, do you actually know what to expect from the journey once you begin? Even the most seasoned of hikers have found that setting out on an expedition like this is nearly incomparable to anything else they’ve ever experienced, so having a little extra insight may be helpful as you get ready to start your travels.

Walking the Trail

Though there are many routes that lead to Santiago de Compostela, the one you will walk will already be designated by whichever Camino de Santiago walking tour you have chosen to be a part of. The hike is recommended for all ages, but pilgrims should be aware that there is some varying terrain as you walk through farmland, mountains, forests and coastal regions (all depending which path you’re on). Some travelers worry about the chance of getting lost along the way, but the Camino is clearly marked throughout the entire 500 miles with yellow arrows, scallop shell tiles and signs. Pilgrims also need not be concerned about staying with their tour group at all times or keeping the same pace. Guides are well aware that many use the Camino as a destination for self-reflection, meditation and peace and quiet and won’t pressure anyone to hurry up, slow down or participate in conversation.

Camino de Santiago route marker on the Cantabrian coast

Accommodations

Since it is such a well-traveled trail, accommodations are plenty along Camino de Santiago. There’s a good chance that your walking tour will have all of your lodging set up for you already, usually making arrangements in bed and breakfasts or some of the more luxurious hotels that dot the path. If you were to make the pilgrimage on your own and decide to select more economical boarding, albergues are the most popular and cheapest alternative, where you will be placed in a dorm like setting with shared rooms and bathrooms. Hostels and posadas are also an option.

Food

Bars, restaurants and grocery stores are not hard to find, and your Camino de Santiago tour guide will have plenty of suggestions on local cuisines. Each region will have its own specialties and are more than ready to share that with pilgrims as they pass through town. If staying at an albergue, you will also have the opportunity to cook your own meals if you wish.

Tapas!

Fellow Pilgrims

One of the most exciting expectations you should have is about all the different people you’ll meet during your journey. As you progress down the trail, you may just find that you’re really getting the most from your excursion from simply taking some time to open up to your fellow pilgrims and learn about other cultures, history and walks of life.

Challenges

While there are several challenges pilgrims can face on their trek, preparing for them in advance gives you a good chance of avoiding many of them. Blisters, tendonitis, dehydration, sunburn and heatstroke are the most common ailments that people have to deal with. Make sure to break in new hiking boots before you go, stretch, strengthen and condition your muscles every morning and night, don’t forgo the sunscreen and pace yourself as needed.

Each pilgrimage and experience will be different, so you can’t always be prepared for every little thing, however, this information should provide you with a good idea of what to expect as you begin your Camino de Santiago walking tour so that you may enjoy it to the fullest.

Featured images:

By Tiffany Olson

Tiffany Olson absolutely loves all things travel related. She worked at a hostel for many years in San Diego and it was there that she found her passion for traveling. Walking the Camino de Santiago is next on her list of adventures to try. When she’s not writing you’ll usually find her in the company of friends, reading, or cooking.

Chinese, Russian, Portuguese: How Learning These Languages Can Enhance Your Career in Finance

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Learning foreign languages has always been beneficial for young professionals pursuing a career outside their country of origin. Today, this might be particularly relevant for financial specialists looking for job opportunities in new leading markets such as China, Russia or Brazil. These emerging economies have one thing in common: their business sector, commercial and administrative institutions have high demand for skilled financial professionals in the fields of corporate finance, investment banking, accounting, financial planning and more.
Below you can see how acquiring the languages of these countries grant a substantial benefit for your professional growth in finance.

Russia – Among the World’s Top Leaders in Oil and Gas Supply

Russia is abundant with natural resources. Being the world’s top oil producer and exporter this country has developed manufacturing and chain-supply industries to support its trading activities. There are several major private and state-owned companies controlling the production, usage and export of the reserves. During the last 15 years Russia has made an intensive leap in terms of consumption and life quality, continuing to grow and evolve economically. Despite its current progressive state the country’s financial sector and market are still enormously potential, in need of human power far beyond large cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Being a modernized country, Russia welcomes foreign financial specialists. Language barrier, however, has always existed. Therefore, learning Russian is an essential part of your career plan.

Brazil – An Emerging Market Economy with a Great Potential

Brazil Grunge Flag

Brazil, nowadays, is one of the world leading countries with emerging market economy. The Portuguese-speaking state is on its way to become the most developed society within the next few decades. Its chief industries today include aircraft, motor vehicles, machinery, chemicals and textile – to name a few.
Since 2002 Brazil economy has set off to a successful rise gaining international power and global investment support. The country’s main agenda lays in establishing high-quality infrastructure, political and social reforms. This activity results in hundreds of projects in the finance sectors requiring experienced economists and finance experts. Portuguese speakers are generally given a higher priority for their better ability to integrate within the corporate structure.

China – The Dominant Manufacturer and Goods Exporter

China is the dominant manufacturer country in the world with industrial production growth rate of 14% per year. Since the early 1990’s, the country’s economy has been under intensive financial and social reforms that have boosted its GDP to an average growth of 10% per year. These reforms have expanded the private sector and allowed foreign investment to flow in, opening the country for trade and venture. Being the second largest economy today, it is expected to become the top world’s economy by 2025.
China’s market is a boundless field of career opportunities in the finance sphere – the country is in demand for skilled, open-minded specialists. Learning Chinese, however, is a necessary step not only from verbal communication perspective, but also reducing cultural barriers. Acquiring the Chinese tongue exposes you to the country’s behavioral and social traditions as well – this knowledge might be crucial especially for the Americans and western-cultured candidates.
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With rapidly emerging markets and developing economies financial career opportunities are nearly endless. The competition, however, is tough as well: thousands of graduates entering the market every year, their number growing steadily. Countries with leading emerging markets like China, Russia or Brazil open many doors for graduates or employees with financial education. Being able to speak their language adds a significant bonus to your resume and makes you stand out from the crowd.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_economic_reform#2005.E2.80.93present

http://ebook.law.uiowa.edu/ebook/uicifd-ebook/why-brazil-emerging-market-economy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_industry_in_Russia

http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DatasetCode=RGRADSTY#

Am I Too Old To Learn A Language?

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There are some studies out there that say that if you are over 50, you are too old to learn a new language. It simply isn’t true. On the contrary in fact, reliable studies have shown that adults actually learn better and faster than children. They have the ability to grasp a new language just as if they were younger. One study done by Hakuta, Bialystok and Wiley compared language learning ability in adults of different ages. They put them all in the same learning environment and they were all taught the same words. The result? 20 and 30 year olds learnt just as well as people over 50.

Think for example about immigrants. Many of them are older people who are looking to improve their lives by starting over in other countries. To have any chance of getting a job, they have to be able to communicate. Many of them join night language classes and within weeks, they are able to communicate. Of course it takes them a while to become proficient, but they are able to learn hundreds, even thousands of words within just a short time.

One thing you should do if you want to learn a new language when you are over 50 is keep your brain active and used to learning new things. An active brain learns a lot better than an inactive one. It isn’t very hard to keep your brain active. You only need to constantly find new things to do. Get outdoors and see what you can find out there that interests you. You can start to learn the names of trees, flowers and birds. You can join a class where you learn something new, like pottery or cookery. Indoors, keep your mind alive by reading and doing crosswords. If you do different things constantly, you will find that you learn a new language much more easily. Your diet also matters. There are certain foods that will help you remember things better. Check online for what these are and have more of them in your day to day meals.

There is a reverse effect to keeping your mind active so that you can learn a new language. As you learn, your mind becomes active. Each new word you learn causes different connections. You strain to remember what you have learnt and this also helps your brain to stay healthy and active.

Don’t despair on learning a new language just because you are over 50. You can start a new life abroad quite easily. You can get an international job as well. As a matter of fact, many retirees go ahead and volunteer their services helping people abroad because they have learnt to speak their language. It keeps them healthy and happy and they also have some kind of income coming in. Compare this to waiting around for the years to roll by. You will definitely be missing out on a lot. Learn a new language and join the world out there.

How to Become a Language Teacher in London

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If you are thinking about relocating your life to London, one of the best ways that you can start earning an income right away is to teach languages. Many people who are proficient in foreign languages, such as Spanish, Italian, German and French, wonder how to teach in London. One of the best things about this job is that you get paid quite well when you teach languages in the UK. Of course you would get also enjoy the rich culture of the English people and the great countryside. The process of becoming a language teacher is quite straightforward.

The first step is to get a Spanish Certificate in Language Teaching to Adults or what is otherwise known as a CLTA. This requires that you be over 18, that you have the minimum level of required Language (you need to be at least B1 according to the European Framework for Languages or at near native level) and that you can handle class of students. In London the best known provider for the CELTA courses is The International House, you can visit their website for more information.

The second step is to get the CRB certificate that shows that you have no criminal records in order to work with children. The CRB stands for Criminal Records Bureau. This requires that you be at least 16 years old. Your employer is allowed to access these records and to do further for a criminal background so it is very important that you be truthful. If you do have a criminal background, you may not be able to be language trainer but because you are multilingual, there are other jobs that you can do. According to their website, “The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. It also prevents unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children, through its criminal record checking and barring functions.” This tells you that you may be still be able to work in the UK, only that there are certain groups of people that you cannot work with.

The third thing you should do is to consider enrolling in the government qualified teacher training programs (QTS) promoted by the UK education ministry to start to teach in national schools. The UK is making a concerted effort to improve the quality of higher education. One of the things that they do for teachers is allow them to apply for a loan that allows them further their education in their specific areas. They offer the scholarships based on per-student funding rather than per qualification funding. This greatly improves your chances of qualifying; so long as you can handle a sizeable class, you have every chance of qualifying. They also require that you be more than 24 years old. According to an FAQ in one of their websites, “For the first time Loans will give learners in further education access to financial support for tuition costs similar to that which is available in higher education. This means rather than an individual having to pay for their course upfront they have the option of accessing a Loan, from the Student Loans Company, that they will only start to repay once they have left the course and are earning over £21,000.” This shouldn’t worry you so much though because you are sure to make some good money when you get your teaching job.

Higher Education Establishments Move Toward Abandoning Language Studies

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A recent article written by the Guardian newspaper states that over a third of UK universities have stopped offering specialist European language courses, demonstrating a shocking lack of interest in studying a foreign tongue.

Some argue it is a lack of funding into linguistics courses that has led to this immense drop in participation whilst others debate whether it is the harsh grading at A-level that has turned students off the idea of taking a higher learning language course. We look at some potential reasons language learning may be decreasing in popularity, and discuss why why we believe there should be a resurgence in students wanting to learn one!

Modern Technology

There may other influences responsible for the drop in applications to study languages but modern technology offering computer-aided translating services at your fingertips is certainly one. It may seem as though communication with people all over the world has become a limitless possibility, and indeed these services have helped, but it has been argued before that online translation programs are not as reliable as everyone believes. The idea of communication is one not just supported by the words themselves, but the intention with which they are spoken and often learning a language from scratch is a much easier way of understanding not just how to speak it, but how to understand the culture from which the language originates.

Image of China with Chinese FlagDecreasing Popularity and Investment

European languages are becoming known as ‘elite subjects’, i.e., a subject being offered by very few universities and therefore only studied by a small demographic of students who have decided it will be beneficial in a particular job role. It seems as though, because the demand for these courses has dwindled and as such the number of universities offering these courses has also lowered, there seems to be no way of changing this trend. There must be many valid reasons as to why students do not feel like taking up university courses in languages such as German, Spanish and Italian but perhaps there should be more of an effort made by educational services to demonstrate the benefits of taking up a new language at degree level.

Language Benefits Business

Perhaps prospective university students these days are turning away from learning languages simply because they do not see it as a necessary string to their bow. However, with the rise of global communication comes a huge rise in global commerce. Businesses are trading internationally now more than ever so being multi-lingual is a massive plus if you are thinking of working abroad. It is not just future employment prospects that improve from learning a new language, the opportunities for personal growth are significant too. If you have the desire to travel the globe during your gap year, then surely knowing some of the local tongues will help you immerse yourself in the destinations you have chosen to travel.

Learning a language helps to understand other people and cultures and can help breed a deeper understanding of the world you live in. Being able to translate the odd sentence with Google Translate when you need to is a helpful tool but being able to speak in depth to someone in their own language is a skill we believe to be far more meaningful.

Languages are tough to learn but can be so rewarding when it all clicks into place. Lucy recently enrolled in a Spanish course with LanguageNow and is loving the experience.

5 Tips For Learning A Language

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Many people want to learn how to speak a new language, but this is almost never an easy task. Certain steps need to be taken and various tips must be taken into account in order to properly broach this venture. Here’s what you need to remember:

Spanish dictionary pages up into the air (cut out)

how to learn a new language – source

The Time Needed

You might want to learn a full language in just a few short months. Well, unless you’re moving to a foreign country and immersing yourself in the language, this goal of yours probably won’t happen. Instead, focus on goals that actually could come to fruition. For example, you might learn some basic Spanish vocabulary before your trip to Spain at the end of the year. Focus on basic conversation, travel topics and/or certain words relevant to your career.

Take a Class
Trying to teach yourself a language can be possible, but is quite challenging. You might be saying certain words incorrectly or not using the best learning strategies, and you may be entirely unaware that you’re doing that all the way into your fourth or fifth tense! Look for classes offered at local community colleges. Generally, the prices are fairly low, so affording it shouldn’t be a major burden. If you’re attending college now anyway, sign up for a class in your target language, and make sure that it’s offered at least four times a week.

Read Enjoyable Pieces
Reading material that you love is one of the best ways to learn a language. Let’s say that you really like to cook. Start reading articles, recipes and other written material in the target language about cooking. Since you enjoy the subject, you aren’t going to feel bored when you are reading through the material. Once you start to understand the language at a higher level, you can move onto more complex material. As a result, you’ll start to learn the language in a more natural fashion, and this is one of the best ways to learn.

Practice Daily
If you don’t utilize the skills of a language on a regular basis, you’re almost certain to forget them. Don’t just practice this language when you go to class, especially if it’s infrequent. Instead, buy some home-learning material to supplement the professional lessons. Study everyday – even if only for 15 minutes,.You could make it a goal to learn one new phrase or sentence in the target language every day. If friends or family are working on learning the language too, you can certainly make it a joint effort.

Hire a Tutor
Sometimes, the specific problems you’re having with a language can’t be addressed in class. Everyone has different struggles and issues when it comes to language acquisition, and you want to have your specific problems addressed. If you hire a tutor, the two of you can work together to craft a plan that makes sense for you. They can also help drill material that you’re unlikely to review on your own and make sure that you’re implementing best practices.

Don’t forget that in order for your language to be meaningful, it needs to have some relevancy to your interests. Give yourself some context – if you’re a business major, take a business class for the language you’re learning or a buy a book specially written for businessmen and women. Then, never forget that no one claims that learning a language is easy. However, it doesn’t have to be a terrible battle either! These tips will help you to develop your skills, regardless of the language chosen!

Martin Bundy writes all about multicultural education. His recent work is a piece on the best International Business Schools.

Encouraging Your Child To Learn A Second Language Is Pointless – Or Is It?

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According to The Telegraph, there is a UK-wide shortage of kids who want to learn a second language, but learning a language can give a child far more benefits than meets the eye.

Many people think post-secondary school education is the most important factor in determining how successful one will be in the future. While it certainly is important, it is the grades we achieve at a younger age that set a student up for success. And there is one especially critical thing many of our children are missing … a second language.

There are several great reasons to involve kids in languages early – here are few of those reasons:

World Map Image With NumbersLearning a language can increase intelligence

Ok, this is a big statement, but it does have a small element of truth! People who are very good at languages have been shown generally to have a high level of intelligence. The reasons for this are up for debate – it could be down to academically talented individuals simply having an aptitude for languages, it could be down to physiology and brain size, who knows. One thing’s for certain though, there are numerous benefits to learning a second language, and barely any major negatives that we can spot.

Good language skills make a university education easier

When the kids go off to college and university, they will (unfortunately) have to use their academic skills once more be this via report writing, team work, mathematics…there’s no getting away from this however much one despises sitting in a classroom! When a child is very good at languages however, they are likely to be very effective at using these academic skills and applying them once they get to this level of higher education. An affinity with words and language can equate to strong problem solving, creative writing or spoken presentation skills to name but a few – as mentioned above, the benefits don’t end with being able to order a meal on your annual holiday abroad…
Additionally, there’s no denying that a good University grade in a struggling economy can help when it comes to employment and that all important first job. Headhunters love good grades…and good communication skills. Learning and being competent in a second language provides you with both.

Language skills can enhance ones social life

In addition to the rather more obvious academic benefits, having good language skills can prove a good thing when it comes to a child/teenagers social life too. Learning and communicating in another language will no doubt build confidence – something so key to a child’s all round development and something that not many other academic subjects teach. And don’t forget also the considerably wider circle of friends one can obtain by speaking another language – you’ve got a whole other population to choose from!

These are just a few of the benefits language skills can bring to a child, but there are many more. For example we haven’t discussed the opportunity for international travel in the business world that bilingual speakers have.

Is there a child in your life that could benefit from learning a language? The good news is there are many opportunities and avenues for that to happen. In addition to quality school programs, both public and private — my own child is now enrolled in Kumon – there are language-specific schools as well.

Whichever route you choose, your loved one is sure to benefit.

Lucy lives in Ealing and has decided to accompany her daughter in learning a second language – y ella está disfrutando de hablar el idioma español!

Top 10 Reasons To Learn Chinese

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You hear those sounds and see those stick figures and wonder how you could ever speak or read Chinese, right? It seems scary and most English-speakers cringe at the thought of taking up Chinese classes. However, the fact is that Chinese is much easier to learn and even an average student can learn Chinese in 5 minutes. It is a beautiful language that has great use of phonetics, does not use too many syllables, uses no articles, and has neither plurals nor genders. If that already doesn’t make it easier, then consider the fact that you can understand what the Chinese speakers are saying even if you do not get the tones right. Apart from the ease of learning Chinese, there are many different reasons why it would be to your advantage to know the language. Sample these 10 and tell me if you don’t want to sign up already.

China by Dainis Matisons

chinese language will open the doors to a new culture – source

Position Yourself for Future Opportunities

The world is a global village with a billion of us being of Chinese origin. This is a market segment you can never choose to ignore. The Chinese economy is also experiencing some robust growth and many companies and governments all over the world are finding themselves increasingly trading with the Chinese. So think about it, if your firm is competing with another firm to partner with a Chinese firm who do you think they Chinese will go with? Will they go with the foreigner who needs a translator to communicate with them or the foreigner who is cracking all those Mandarin jokes like he was born in Chongqing?

Export-Import Trade

China is regarded as the “factory of the world”. This is according to Robert Mundell, the Nobel Prize Winner. If you look at the balance of trade between big economies like the U.S, you find that it is in favor of China with over $41 billion in 2006 alone. If you are in the import-export business you will realize that most of your business dealings are with Chinese firms. If your company is not, then your contemporaries and competitors are most likely doing better business than you are. Equip yourself with the Chinese language and look East for a better bottom line.

Political Advantages

If you are fluent in Chinese and have an interest in politics then there are countless opportunities for you within your country and beyond. This is because China is a growing global investor and many countries are finding it advantageous to work with the Chinese. Knowing the language gives you a leg up against other political pundits competing for the same posts. If you do not believe me just ask former Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, a fluent Mandarin speaker.

Community

As mentioned, the world is a global village. Therefore, it pays to be multi-lingual to communicate better with others in your community. Your next door neighbor could be Chinese or your son could bring home a Chinese bride. Talking with the in-laws will be much less awkward and much more fun. Organizing a neighborhood watch won’t be so complicated either if we could all know what the other is talking about, wouldn’t it?

Study Abroad

If you are thinking of gaining new academic exposure by studying abroad then knowledge of the Chinese language could be a great help. You will understand theoretical and academic concepts easier and you will enjoy your classes more. No more retarded looks as your Chinese tutor explains how simple electronic circuits work.

The Japanese are Studying Chinese

Japan is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. And over there, they are teaching as much Chinese as they are teaching English. The Japanese realize that in order to take advantage of economic opportunities and advance their national strategies, it is in their best interests if their population consists of a good number of Chinese speakers. Do you think the Japanese are wrong?

New Perspectives

If you are American and have never left your country then you might have a very closed view on how the rest of the world works. This is true even for a Chinese who has never left his/her country or a European for that matter. Learning a new language exposes you to new cultures and new ways of thinking and this widens your knowledge and expands your perspectives.

Social Advantages

Imagine walking into a singles bar and opening up conversation with the Chinese ladies seated at the next table. Your friends will be looking at you in awe and I assure you, your phone book will have new phone numbers by the end of the night. Well, even the waitress might just offer you hers! Everybody admires people who seem worldly and have good communication skills with others from different social settings.

Increased Brain Function

It has been scientifically proven that knowing more than one language is good for your brain. The cognitive muscles of your brain get more exercise when you switch between languages and this makes you more alert and more focused in general. Studies show that multi-lingual people are more effective in their tasks, can multi-task better, and are good at prioritizing.

Negotiations

If I was haggling prices or negotiating some big business deal I would prefer if I am talking the same language with my trade partner. The presence and actions of a translator will be at best amusingly distracting, and at worst extremely irritating. Besides, if you have watched those soap operas with subtitles you know that translators do not always convey the same meaning as was intended by the speaker.

Learning a new language can be beneficial on many fronts and there is no better choice of language than Chinese. It will benefit your social interactions, business dealings, cultural knowledge, and political actions.

Morgan Dalloway grew up as an army brat, following his dad to army stations in various Asian, Middle East, and African posts. The challenge of making new friends after every new posting made him the multi-lingual expert that he is today. Speaking over 8 languages fluently and with a more than passing knowledge of over 10 other languages, he has taught various Chinese languages online and in classroom settings.