“Everybody speaks English, what’s the point of working hard to learn someone else’s language?”

Ah yes but...

  you can find 700 reasons on this site

http://www.llas.ac.uk/700reasons

 find out about celebrity linguists, including Sol Campbell, Colin Firth, David James, Ellen MacArthur, Paula Radcliffe, Jonny Wilkinson etc...

http://www.cilt.org.uk/promoting/celeblinguists.htm

Children who have learned a second language earn higher SAT scores

Studies have shown - and experience has proven - that learning a second language does not interfere in learning your native language properly – for example if the native language is English, a number of reports have demonstrated that children who have learned a second language earn higher SAT scores, particularly on the verbal section of the test!

reduce the risk of age related symptoms such as memory loss

And for the “older” students, learning a Foreign Language can reduce the risk of age related symptoms such as memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer's! (Dr. Andrew Weil, Healthy Aging).

 ... my bosses always call on me if we need to talk French Embassy

“I use my French occasionally in the job —once, I had to meet the French rugby league team, and my bosses always call on me if we need to ring someone in France or talk to the French Embassy. But my French degree taught me far more than simply how to speak French. Learning the language taught me to persist even when you feel you’re getting nowhere, while studying French literature gave me strong research and writing skills. All of these abilities are essential in my career as a journalist.”

become a better writer

“Studying Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, or Spanish will not only teach you how to speak, read and write in another language, it will also enrich your knowledge of your own native tongue. You will become a better writer and thinker in your own language!

the development of abilities to meet new challenges

In her article in FLESNEWS (Spring, 1989), Marianne Fuchsen wrote that "Foreign language study necessitates the acquisition of new learning strategies because it is foreign; basic to preparation for a changing world is the development of abilities to meet new challenges" (p.6).This idea that exposure to "foreignness" can lead to cognitive change was well known to Piaget; he believed that cognitive development takes place when a child is faced with an idea or experience that does not fit into his or her realm of understanding. The cognitive conflict becomes the catalyst for new thinking. Thus, foreign language study becomes the catalyst for cognitive and psychological development in young children because of the "conflict" that such study presents.”

 career potential in the growing arena of international trade

“Many personal benefits can be gained from the study of foreign languages; individuals who study foreign languages and cultures help themselves toward international and intercultural communication. They expose themselves to a global perspective, and enhance their career potential in the ever growing arena of international trade and cross-cultural professional exchange. (For more information on the personal benefits gained through foreign language study, see the ERIC Digest entitled Personal Benefits of Foreign Language Study, by H. Jarold Weatherford, 1986.)

develop important skills in critical and creative thinking.

 “In the process of learning a language, you will develop important skills in critical and creative thinking. You will increase your problem-solving ability and improve your memory and self-discipline. With your newly-acquired knowledge you will become a more self-confident and cosmopolitan person!”

opportunities for pupils to develop the key skill of improving their own learning

“Modern Foreign Languages provides opportunities for pupils to develop the key skill of improving their own learning and performance, through developing their ability to rehearse and redraft work to improve accuracy and presentation, and through developing learning strategies such as memorising, dealing with the unpredictable, and using reference materials ” DFEE, QCA (1999) Modern Foreign Languages: The National Curriculum for England (London: HMSO)

A final word,

as a student of French,

you are part of an ELITE!

Be proud and bold....