Studying and learning foreign languages is no longer about having a better travelling experience. Before it pays to learn to speak the local or native language of a country you will be visiting to avoid any embarrassing and even sometimes insulting situations. Learning foreign languages is not just about getting the right directions, it is about making connections with people that have different languages, culture and history.

Some people think that learning how to speak English would be enough, but actually the CIA World Fact Book cited that only 5.6 % of the global population speak English. The rest of the world speaks differently. Speaking English can no longer suffice the increasing demand for global communications and understanding.

Research showed that learning another language would actually boost the knowledge of your own language. This would mean an increase in literacy, vocabulary, and better comprehension. There are studies showing that high school students who learned a different language have relatively better scores in their college entrance exams that those who do not study a second language.

Learning a foreign language also gives an opportunity for an individual to broaden his educational horizons. There are many educational opportunities abroad than we can explore. It would not only help us transcend cultural boundaries, but it will also help us understand subjects and concepts associated with the language.

Whenever we are learning a different language, it is part of being knowledgeable in it to also understand the underlying cultural values and structures of the people. In addition to that, most literary, music and other artistic milestones are not written in English. To fully appreciate and understand a literary work, it needs to be read and understood on its original form.

Language becomes a window where we could see and understand the context of a country's culture. This is important, especially if your have some business deals with foreigners. You would need to understand their culture, so you could build trust, cooperate and compromise with them.

Another good reason for you to start learning foreign language will be the career opportunities for a multilingual professional. Here are some fields where speaking anther language could give you a head start:

• Social services - work as a social worker, criminology and law enforcement, school counsellor, drug abuse counsellor, occupational health care, income maintenance counsellor.

• Business and Finance - work as an accountant, administration, economist

• Communications - work as reporter, journalist, publisher, editor

• Education - work as a teacher whether it is in elementary, secondary or college level

• Government- work as a translator or interpreter especially for diplomatic foreign services

Learning a foreign language became a great advantage in looking for a career in this period of globalization. In business transactions, we cannot avoid the need of communicating in the language of the foreign business partners. Learning about foreign languages would help you promote your business in other countries effectively. If you want to build long and solid business ties and relationships in other countries, then you would need to be familiar with their language.

In this era of globalization, countries and people are forging closer connections. Learning foreign languages would help you build a global understanding. But learning how to speak in a foreign language should not be just to brag about it. Learning and mastering a foreign language should manifest when we start thinking in it and embracing the culture and history that comes with it.