The Importance of Learning Foreign Languages

While some analysts say that English is becoming the international language of business and society, there’s never been a better time to learn a foreign language such as German, French or Japanese. Though such languages may not be quite as widespread as English, they offer rich sets of linguistics and innuendos not found in any dialect of English. The reasons for learning a new language are varied, but the importance of learning foreign languages is universal: it will always benefit you in one way or
another.

First and foremost, one of the most important reasons to learn a foreign language is the stimulation it offers your mind. Like a young child grappling with language for the very first time, you find yourself lusting for knowledge and oozing curiosity at every turn. The familiar becomes fascinating, and your mind is opened to new ways of approaching even the simplest areas of life. According to three studies by Bruck, Lambert, Tucker (1974), Hakuta (1986) and Weatherford (1986), children enrolled in foreign language courses demonstrate stronger cognitive skills, particularly in the area of creativity. An added bonus: those with competency (not necessarily fluency) in more than one language tend to have higher intelligence scores on standardized tests.

Foreign languages are also important to those working in business, communications and nearly every other career track. Even if your potential clientele speak English, there isn’t a better way to understand their needs and cultural desires than to learn their language. It helps make a great first impression, and it shows that you are willing to go above and beyond to maintain the relationship. In many cultures, attempting to speak the language is viewed as a sign of respect and has the potential to open doors in the future.

Of course, there are also the aesthetic reasons for learning a new language. It is fun to pronounce words with nasal resonances and tongue
rolling, features not present in most English conversations. Some
languages have certain social connotations that invoke feelings when heard or spoken. When sampling a particular culture such as German – it helps to understand how to pronounce words when ordering a warm streusel or asking for the way to the autobahn. This feeling of competency and control can alleviate much of the stress of traveling, making your vacation to
Bavaria all the more restful and/or enjoyable.

Regardless of the reasons why you would like to learn a new language, you should always allow yourself to explore new linguistic territories. Learning multiple languages will always serve to enhance your quality of life, and even if you never use that language in practical circumstances, you almost certainly will enjoy the time spent educating yourself. Language learning is unique in that you rarely have to spend much money to find a passionate instructor or fellow learner, and the adventure of understanding a new tongue is one experience you will not soon forget.

 

To be read after Unit 10

Text 1. Canada

 

Canada has an area of nearly ten million square kilometres. Its western coast is washed by the Pacific Ocean and its eastern coast by the Atlantic Ocean. There are many islands in the north of Canada.

Canada has mountains, high plains and low plains. The Rocky Mountains run parallel to the Pacific coast. East of these mountains are the high plains. The low plains lie in the region of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. There are also mountains which run parallel to Canada’s east coast, in Labrador and Baffin Island.

Canada is a country of lakes. Besides the Great Lakes – Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario (the fifth Great Lake, Michigan, lies in the USA), there are many other very large lakes, for example, Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake and Lake Winnipeg.

Canada also has large rivers: the Mackenzie flows from the Rocky Mountains into the Arctic Ocean, the Yukon rises in Canada and flows into the Pacific, the St. Lawrence River flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Niagara Falls are one of the most splendid sights in the world. Since the building of the St. Lawrence Seaway the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River form a great water-way from the Atlantic to the heart of the country.

Canada has several climatic regions. Winter in Canada lasts from four to five months with heavy snowfalls. There is much rain in the east and west, but less in the centre.

The north of the country near the Arctic is tundra with great forests to the south. The central plains form the prairies.

The population of Canada is about 32 million people. In the country there are many Indians and Eskimos, who live mostly in the North. Today more than 40 per cent of the people of Canada came originally from Britain, about 30 per cent from France and 20 per cent from other countries. So there are two state languages: English and French. English is spoken by 60 % of population; French is spoken by 23 % of people.

The name Canada is derived from an Iroquoian term meaning
«village».

The capital of Canada is Ottawa. Other large important cities are Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver. Edmonton, Hamilton, Winnipeg and
Quebec.

Canada is rich in metal ores, oil and gas, and the metal, machine-building, motor-car and ship-building industries are highly developed.

The hydro-electric industry is highly developed, its main centres are in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. There is a very large hydro-electric station at the Niagara Falls.

Canada’s main agricultural products are wheat, meat, some kinds of fruit, especially apples, and dairy products.

The provinces of Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia, with their great forests, produce wood for paper-making and building.

Many of the lakes and rivers are polluted today and few of them have fish now. But Canada's fishing industry is still important on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Canada’s largest ports are Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax.

The capital of Canada is Ottawa. Canada became independent from the United Kingdom on July, 1, 1867. Legal system is based on the English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on the French law prevails.

The government type is confederation with parliamentary democracy. Canada is a member of the Commonwealth. Formally the head of the state is the King or Queen of England represented by the Governor-General.

Canada consists of ten provinces and two territories. Each province has its own government.

The Federal Parliament consists of the Senate, whose members are appointed by the Governor-General, and the House of Commons, elected by the people for a period of five years.

There are several political parties which are represented in Parliament: The Progressive Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party.

It`s true that the majority of travelers are attracted by the opportunity to explore Canada`s wilderness areas, natural wonders and rural charm, there is a lot more to Canada than maple trees, Niagara Falls and wide open spaces.

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