Testo da foreignlanguages80 - English
Studying languages today
- In my view, we are lucky to study foreign languages today.
- The main reason is that the world is more and more interconnected, and this has important consequences.
- First of all, school provides more courses.
- About fifty years ago, at least in Italy, only French language was available, and from meddle school onwards.
- When I was younger, some meddle school courses offered French, some offered English, and some both.
- Today, students begin to study English at junior school, then, from meddle school onwards, they can choose another language they prefer, if they are interested.
- In some cases, schools have mother tongue teachers, even in small towns like mine.
- Secondly, means of transport are more and more available.
- In the past, it took very long time to go from one place to another, even within short distances, and travelling was often dangerous.
- Today, we can easily fly from where we are to the furthermost place on Earth, and in much safer conditions.
- Thirdly, thanks to the internet, it is possible to do much more.
- One can enrol in online courses that can offer classes and material available at any time, thus not interfering with the user’s daily routine.
- One can prepare breakfast and listen to news in Chinese real time, for example.
- With the internet one can easily arrange a study trip abroad, or simply a travel, or even stay at home and have a chat with a foreign friend.
- Today, one can easily better one’s pronunciation by listening to videos on Youtube and solve any doubt by asking questions on forums.
- If one is interested and has time, can easily learn many languages at the same time, and become a polyglot.
- Actually, polyglots did exist in the past, too, and even in very ancient times.
- One of the best examples is Cardinal Giuseppe Gasparo Mezzofanti, who was reported to be able to manage 78 languages!
- In this case, I guess it is due to his extraordinary intelligence and the availability of books, which could be considered as the internet of the past.
- Think of what he could have done today!
- What are your opinions on this topic?
- Is today the best moment for learning languages?
- foreignlanguages80April 2021Vota adesso!
PER FAVORE, AIUTA A CORREGGERE OGNI FRASE! - English