| 'What are the benefits of learning a second | | | | of the fact that you only need English to get |
| language'? Unfortunately this is a question that is | | | | around in this world. However, a few foreign trips |
| being asked less and in most English speaking | | | | will quickly bring them back to earth as far as this |
| countries as native English speakers become ever | | | | belief is concerned. Most of the people of the |
| more convinced of the fact that you only need | | | | world do not speak English and it not even nearly |
| English to achieve success in the wider world. This | | | | the largest first language in the world (that honour |
| is obviously not true, and there are in any case | | | | goes to Mandarin Chinese). While it is true that |
| several types of 'second language benefits' that | | | | English is by far that fastest growing second |
| goes beyond one on one communication. The | | | | language in the world this does not mean that |
| purpose of this article will be to very briefly | | | | everybody is currently learning English, or that |
| highlight the importance of learning a second | | | | they even want to do so! Communication |
| language. | | | | between people from different part of the world |
| * Communicate with a wider range of people: | | | | will therefore be well served by some 'reciprocal |
| Some English speakers may indeed be convinced | | | | language learning'! |