Why Study Languages?

Gabrielle Hogan-Brun

• Publisher: London Publishing Partnership
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781913019181
• eBook ISBN: 9781913019204
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Education General
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

Considering studying languages at university? Wondering whether a languages degree will get you a good job, and what you might earn? Want to know what it's actually like to study languages at degree level? This book tells you what you need to know. Studying any subject at degree level is an investment in the future that involves significant cost. Now more than ever, students and their parents need to weigh up the potential benefits of university courses. That's where the Why Study series comes in. This series of books, aimed at students, parents and teachers, explains in practical terms the range and scope of an academic subject at university level and where it can lead in terms of careers or further study. Each book sets out to enthuse the reader about its subject and answer the crucial questions that a college prospectus does not.

Praise for Why Study Languages?

I defy anyone to read this book and not end up passionate about the importance and the pleasure of languages. With a combination of research, statistics, anecdotes and human interest stories and interviews, it is precisely targeted to its main audience of prospective students and their parents. If you still believe that English is enough, prepare to be disabused!

Baroness Jean Coussins, Vice-President, Chartered Institute of Linguists, Co-Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages, President, Speak to the Future Campaign

Why Study Languages? is as rich in information as it is in experience. It will answer your questions about the nature of languages and communication, dispel many nega­tive myths about language learning, and provide evidence that studying lan­guages is not only useful but also rewarding, exhilarating and, often, life-changing.

Loredana Polezzi, Alfonse M. D’Amato Chair in Italian American and Italian Studies, Stony Brook University

A valuable insight into the myriad of ways in which the study of languages can enrich our experience of the world, be that personal or professional.

Catriona Kyle, assistant headteacher, Channing School, London

Join Gabrielle Hogan-Brun on a voyage of discovery around the wonderful world of languages. You will meet a crowd of fascinating people and hear how languages have enriched their lives. You might even want to follow them and put yourself at the centre of a new map.

Michael Kelly, Emeritus Professor of French,
University of Southampton

In this great new book – one filled with inspiration and pragmatism – Gabrielle Hogan-Brun shows you how languages have the power to shape your life. You’ll find real-life stories of both ordinary and famous people. You’ll see how knowing languages helped them to become successful and to find their place in the world. You’ll read about careers you might want to consider with languages. And you’ll also learn how you can get started – and where. If you are wondering whether studying languages is the right path for you, this comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide will help you decide. I hope your answer will be a yes!

Gabriella Ferenczi, German and Hungarian language coach,
founder of ProLingua Global

If you’d like to become a global citizen, being able to navigate the pathways that language study leads to is essential. This book will provide the support you’ll need to fulfil that aim. The book sets out the practical realities, the available resources, the societal needs and the range of opportunities that are open to you. I recommend you draw on Gabrielle Hogan-Brun’s tips to give you the motivation for sustained language learning that will provide you with a ‘healthy linguistic diet’!

Maria K. Norton, Deputy Director International Relations,
University of Southampton

Why Study Languages?

The Why Study Series

Studying any subject at degree level is an investment in the future that involves significant cost. Now more than ever, students and their parents need to weigh up the potential benefits of university courses. That’s where the Why Study series comes in. This series of books, aimed at students, parents and teachers, explains in practical terms the range and scope of an academic subject at university level and where it can lead in terms of careers or further study. Each book sets out to enthuse the reader about its subject and answer the crucial questions that a college prospectus does not.

Published

Why Study History? — Marcus Collins and Peter N. Stearns

Why Study Mathematics? — Vicky Neale

Why Study Geography? — Alan Parkinson

Why Study Languages? — Gabrielle Hogan-Brun

WHY STUDY Languages?

BY Gabrielle Hogan-Brun

Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and to obtain their permission for the use of copyright material. The publisher apologizes for any errors or omissions and would be grateful if notified of any corrections that should be incorporated in future reprints or editions of this book.

Copyright © 2021 Gabrielle Hogan-Brun

Published by London Publishing Partnership
www.londonpublishingpartnership.co.uk

All Rights Reserved

ISBN: 978-1-913019-19-8 (iPDF)
ISBN: 978-1-913019-20-4 (epub)

A catalogue record for this book is available
from the British Library

This book has been composed in Kepler Std

Copy-edited and typeset by
T&T Productions Ltd, London
www.tandtproductions.com

Cover image

Spices from Asia and Africa were in great demand in Medieval Europe, and many cities and individuals were made very rich indeed through their links with the spice trade. Pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and many other exotic flavourings were used in medicine and cosmetics as well as in food and wine. Traders were practical and used different languages to obtain these precious resources from faraway places. And the modern world is no different: language skills are just as highly valued as the commodities and services we require from around the globe, and they’re seen not only as a way of embracing diversity but also as a resource to enhance business and cooperation and increase our knowledge of the world. Another language will surely add spice to your life.

Contents

Preface: why this book?

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 Why study languages?

Chapter 2 Just how multilingual are we?

Chapter 3 Are languages for me?

Chapter 4 What can languages do for us?

Chapter 5 What can I do with languages?

Chapter 6 How do you study languages?

Chapter 7 Where can I study languages?

Postscript A personal language journey

Appendix Finding out more

Key concepts

Endnotes

For Patrick & Justine, Sarah & Giles, Christopher & Nalinie

Preface:
Why this book?

Are you interested in languages but maybe not so sure that you want to study them? You’ve come to the right place.

This book explains what languages are about: their excitements, their challenges, the skills they provide and what you can do with them. You’ll hear from students, from professionals and from famous names who learned languages at school, at university and beyond. Their personal anecdotes bear testimony to the real difference that studying languages has made to their lives.

This book is intended as an accessible and essential guide to why you should consider studying languages, and to how and where you can do so. Throughout, I’ve avoided concerning myself with the technicalities of learning and have instead adopted a holistic perspective, focusing my attention on you as a learner. While you read, you may find yourself reflecting on what type of person you are. What are your ambitions? What do you want out of life? Where are you planning to go? What drives your interest in languages?

You’ll find answers to many practical questions in the chapters that follow. How do you choose which course to take, and which language to study? How might you go about funding your education? What career opportunities will the study of languages provide you with? What’s your earning potential? What can languages do for you as you move through life? You’ll discover that, as well as supporting your personal and working life, languages also promote cultural understanding and social cohesion.

The core message of Why Study Languages? is that learning a language is beneficial for anyone, at any age. Languages are all around us and are used in all walks of life. Language diversity is a fact of everyday experience, whether ...

Table of contents

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