Text 1b Knowing Foreign Languages

Knowledge of foreign languages helps to promote cultural, educational and technical cooperation among nations. That's why one of the characteristic features of life in our country today is a great interest in the study of foreign languages -chiefly English.

At present English is the most important of the world's languages. In the number of speakers it ranks second. The use of English in diplomacy, commerce and science is evidence of its importance. That's why many millions of people learn it as second language. The growth in political, scientific, economic, cultural and educational contacts with different countries has set the scene for a renewed interest in foreign languages studies.

The English language, like all languages, continues to grow. New words are added from the dialects and languages of different peoples, and especially from new developments in politics, science, sports, and all kinds of activities.

Learning a foreign language is not an easy thing. It is a long and slow process that takes a lot of time and efforts. Nowadays it is especially important to know foreign languages. Some people learn languages, because they need them for their work, others travel abroad, for the third studying languages is a hobby. Everyone, who knows foreign languages can speak to people from other countries, read foreign authors in the original, which makes your outlook wider. It is not surprising that many intellectuals and well-educated people are polyglots.

I study English. Nowadays English has become the world's most important language in politics, science, trade as well as culture relations. Over 300 million people speak it as a mother tongue. The native speakers of English live in the Great Britain, United States of America, Australia and New Zealand. English is one of the official languages in the Irish Republic, Canada, the South Africa Republic and others. English is one of the official languages of the United Nations Organization and other political organizations. Half of the world's scientific literature is in English. It is the language of computer technology. To know English today is absolutely necessary for every educated man, for every good specialist. English language is a wonderful language. It is the language of the great literature. It is the language of William Shakespeare, Jonathan Swift, Walter Scott and Charles Dickens. The great German poet Goethe once said, "He, who knows no foreign language, does not know his own one ". That is why in order to understand oneself and environment one has to study foreign languages.

Why learning foreign languages is so important

Modern life is impossible without communication. This communication is between people of one country and between people of different nations. So it is necessary to know at least one foreign language.

Besides, I think, that to achieve real success in life is impossible without speaking a foreign language. If you are a scientist you need it to read literature and to take part in conferences, if you want to be a good expert in any field you need a foreign language to receive new information in your field of activities. If you are a businessman you need a foreign language to do business with foreign partners.

Many people like to travel. A foreign language is necessary for traveling too. If you want to get education abroad you must know a foreign language too.

If you are fond of reading you can read interesting books in the original. If you are fond of music you can understand the words of songs. If you are an athlete you can communicate with the help of the foreign language during an international competition. If you want to find a job abroad you must know a foreign language too. So in any field of modern life it is necessary to know a foreign language.

We live in Europe. Europe is integrating now and it is very important for everybody to know at least one foreign language.

English is one of the most popular foreign languages. It is the most spoken language in the world. I m glad that I know English a little and I plan to learn it better in future.

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1. Today is a great interest in the study of Spanish.

2. In the number of speakers English ranks the fifth.

3. The English language continues to grow.

4. New words are not added from the dialects.

5. Learning a foreign language is an easy thing.

6. Some people learn languages only for their work.

7. Over 30 million people speak English as a mother tongue.

8. The native speakers of English do not live in New Zealand.

9. All the world scientific literature is in English.

10. Modern life is possible without communication.

11. If you are a businessman you need a foreign language to do business with foreign partners.

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