How key is it for youth to learn at least a second language?

I don't see that happening. There are a lot of people who speak Spanish but the countries they live in are not likely to dominate international commerce in the next 20 years.

 

I doubt it. English is the most spoken language after Mandarin. But since English is spread across the world, it's more likely to become the standard language.

 

It depends from where you get your information from. Mandarin is definitely at the top of the list but Endlish, Spanish and Hindi alternate for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th position.

English is now the language of diplomacy, science, technology, medicine and commerce. In non English speaking countries everyone says computer, laptop, internet, mobile etc. America as far as I know is the only country that says cell phone. While there are "mobile" shops all over Asia.

 

I don't remember where I heard it from, but yes I do agree that Spanish is a big language. But I say that English will become the standard language, due to how spread out it is. And I guess it's intreseting that America only says cell phone.

 

English is also the most taught language to non English speakers. At one time I think it was French.

Spanish is huge because of South and Central America (ignoring Brazil). This is when were refer to native speakers of Spanish. As a second language globally, English is at the top of the list. Asia for example is crying out for qualified native English speaking teachers. I have work colleagues who've worked for decades teaching English in Asia and make a good living out of it. They'll work for five years or so then move to another country. Almost a nomadic existence. Southern Europe, including Spain is also a popular destination for ESL teachers.

 

A 75 year old friend of mine, [whom I hate for his boundless energy!] was hired and moved to China to teach English. He was NOT a teacher, but he had traveled in China and had just a bit of Chinese. They were willing to teach him Chinese so he could teach many others English.

He has been there for nearly 10 years now. If he is still with us.

 

Sometimes it also depends on who you know. I have no doubt your friend would be shown the utmost in respect being both teacher and elderly. Asians are like that.

The days of a backpacker romping into an Asian country and teaching English are past. Most countries now require a teacher to have atleast an undergrad degree (Social Sciences are sort after), a diploma in TESOL, TOEFL or CELTA and some teaching experience. Native English speakers are preferred. Thailand is the classic case.

 

¿Por qué? Si ellos pueden hablar español e inglés, ¿cual es el problema?

Sorry for the correction.

 

Now I am curious, if you want in USA you don't need to learn a second language, really?

 

I'm not sure I get what you are saying. Heh, language barrier!

 

'
I have four kids (all adults now) who we sent to french immersion from kindergarten to grade 9. They hated it. We kept telling them that they would thank us when they were adults. sure enough the day came for each one of them. My wife and I tried not to be too smug.

Learning another language at a young age has many benefits. it improves overall language facility and makes learning new languages much easier.

My oldest has a portugese wife and now speaks portugese, french and english. My youngest had an arabic friend and learned rudimentary arabic, and a spanish friend who taught her very passable spanish.

 

Why e and cual?

 

Sounds about right, or so I would guess.

 

I would suggest Mandarin especially if you are in durable goods, high-tech or finance

 

I'm fluent in almost dozen languages, and can get by with a few more; my kids are racing to do even better. I would argue against learning Spanish as your second language, just because of the social pressure to do it - after all, we don't want to have Spanish as our second National language, do we?

 

42% cannot see the need for this, to some level?!