Possible points for discussing the importance of learning a second language
- examine why learning a second language is important
- consider why learning another language may not be important
- make a judgement, based on the evidence and argument put forward.
- in multi-lingual societies, knowing more than one language promotes social harmony and understanding
- it is useful when travelling abroad as understanding local languages can be helpful for many practical reasons
- fewer schools in some areas of the world are teaching foreign languages due to a shortage of funding
- widening job and education opportunities as knowledge of another language can be an advantage
- boosting brain power and memory, when learning something new and developing communication skills
- wide availability of translation apps and software diminishes the need to learn another language
- experiencing new cultures and ideas with others across the world
- it is easier to learn another language as a child; many children have parents who speak different languages at home
- speakers of widely-used languages may find it less important to learn another language.