Reading exercise: why learn languages?

Hello there,

We're at the  very end of September and I just didn't have time to celebrate the European Day of Languages with you, as I did two years ago. In case you didn't know, the European Day of Languages took place on September, 26th. Last year I wrote an entry on the advantages of speaking English. Today I'm bringing you a very interesting reading exercise stating the importance of learning foreign languages. Do the exercise and, as usual, you can the answers down below. 

From : https://www.pinterest.es/pin/373798837804734409/

Read the text and match the paragraphs (1-6) with the headings (A-I) that best correspond to each text. There are two extra heading. Item 0 is an example:

A) A language is linked to its culture

B) No languages, no job

C) Languages will improve your physical strength

D) Live a better and longer life thanks to languages

E) Make  your life more interesting !

F) Speaking a language means becoming independent

G) Languages may improve your working conditions

H) Travelling is easier !

I) Less effort with the next language

J) You’ll feel lonely

Why learn languages ?

0.  __A__

Learning a foreign language implies getting to know other cultures. As the Canadian singer Buffy Sainte-Marie once expressed : "language  and culture cannot be separated." The language reflects the culture of the country and, in the same way, the culture of the country is reflected in the language.

1. _________________________________________________________

Learning languages makes your brain more flexible. It has been proved that people who learn more languages live longer than people who can't speak foreign languages !  Charlemagne once predicted this by saying : "to possess a second language is to possess a second soul." Poetic, isn't it ?

2. _________________________________________________________ 

 Languages play an important role in today's job market. Speaking several languages will certainly make a difference in your résumé, especially in big busy cities with a lot of tourists from different countries ! So, if you want to get that promotion you were looking for, or simply... get a job, you may wanna think about learning a foreign language. Otherwise, you may get  a job,... but getting it will be a difficult and slow process. 

3. _________________________________________________________

 The more languages one speaks, the more countries one can visit and, what is more important, understand everything. Plus, if you don't want to sound like outsiders in the country you visit and enjoy your trip and understand everything, speaking languages will help you ! 

4. ___________________________________________________________

By learning a language you can travel overseas, study abroad, get to know native friends and become more open-minded. No need for mummy and daddy, it’s just you out in the world doing things by yourself.

5. _________________________________________________________ 

By becoming a speaker of different languages, you see the world in another way. You can understand things more easily, boost your self-confidence and ease your decision-making process. In addition, people will surely be impressed by your skills. Before learning a language, your life was boring !

6. _________________________________________________________

Learning a language is not the end of the road. Once you’ve learnt a foreign language, it will be easier for you to learn another one. By learning two languages, it is much easier to learn a third one and so on.

As promised, here you have your answers. I encourage you to learn foreign languages! Go to a nearby school and get started!

Answers :

TEXT	TITLE
1	D
2	G
3	H
4	F
5	E
6	I