How many people from the UK can speak foreign langueges? I am learning German at school, I am not very good at the moment, but am getting better all the time. Can you only speak your languege? Do you think it is irrelevant to learn langueges as lots of countries people can speak English or whatever?
I studied german for CSE back in the olden days, never got a pass though, dropped out before the exams. My daughter has just started Spanish and we do encourage her.
I can speak some German and I can speak, read and write basic Japanese (Hiragana and Katakana). I can also say a few words in Mandarin, Greek, French and of course, Czech. I think learning a language at school is extremely relevant. It is arrogant to assume that everybody can speak your language when you visit another country. Also, I find it fun and rewarding to have a little bit of lots of languages under my belt. It helps you to get around a little easier and local people will respect you more, even if you try. There is a fantastic saying: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do".
Got an A in French GCSE, but have since forgotten most of it. I remember enough to get by in France. Managed to ask for a table for two in a restaurant, then order a meal and some wine. Then I said something to my friend in English and the waitress, upon realisation that we were foreigners, ruined my attempts to be cultured by switching to speak to me in English instead....
I get by in French, understanding it more than speaking it but it doesn't take long around the language for it to come back. I remember a few bits of GCSE German, and a few words of Finnish I wish I could speak more languages and the ones I know I wish I was better at.
i loved MFL at school and i'm reading German & Spanish at Uni now, did A-level in French too. it's the most mind-opening subject there is. not only does it make you open to new lifestyles, the actual study of the languages stimulates your brain in ways that are difficult to find elsewhere. i teach a lady who had a stroke and her doctor told her to take up french as it combines the scientific, analytical, and creative while also improving memory as borges said, languages are not sets of interchangeable synonyms, each different language is a unique and beautiful way of looking at the world that cannot be experienced in translation
Well i got an A* in french gcse. That's it really. All i can remember from spanish is 'i am 13 years old' I can say humpty dumpty in africance or it may be hindustani, can't remember which..
When I worked in Chinatown, my co-worker said: " Don't you practice your chineese on me. I need to practice my english on you"
