Do they ever come useful for US Americans? Like maybe for some sort of jobs...
Do Americans ever need foreign languages?
No, I mean it. I actually have a serious question. Do American corporations ever expect their employees to know a foreign language? How much of a plus is it considered? I come from a country where TWO foreign languages are a must for most good positions....
English + either German or Italian, or sometimes French/Spanish.
Now that I answered your question, please either answer mine or stop flooding.
Now that I answered your question, please either answer mine or stop flooding.
Spanish is helpful, but only if you're fluent. Attempting Spanish in the US will, generally speaking, be taken as being condescending.
It's always helpful to speak another language. But as an American, with the prevalence of English, I would say that there's little "need" for fluency.
It's always helpful to speak another language. But as an American, with the prevalence of English, I would say that there's little "need" for fluency.
Do people perceive you as "smart" if you're fluent in other languages (aside from your native ones)?
Formen una cola ordenada y prepárense para chuparme la pija. LĂmpiense las bocas y hagan ejercicios de calentamiento de los labios.
"Do people perceive you as "smart" if you're fluent in other languages (aside from your native ones)?'
Yes, if the language is a "difficult" one like Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Korean or a Chinese language like Mandarin or Cantonese.
Yes, if the language is a "difficult" one like Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Korean or a Chinese language like Mandarin or Cantonese.
There are a few niche professions where multilingualism is an absolute necessity (translators, diplomats, social workers for immigrant communities etc.).
Beyond that handful of occupations there are some regions where the use of a second language is more widespread. South Florida, the southwestern U.S, and California have areas where Spanish has a significant presence or is the dominant language. In these areas knowledge of Spanish is preferable, in some cases required, for jobs which require dealing with the general public.
However, I would say for the vast majority of Americans the ability to speak a second language has very very little, if any, practical value (beyond traveling outside the country).
I work with the general public (retail) in Florida (linguistically diverse for the U.S.) and here is a rough estimate as to how often I meet people who do not speak even basic English from various linguistic backgrounds.
Spanish- Daily. However, my broken Spanish works fine.
Portuguese- Once a week. (Almost exclusively Brazilians but a handful from Portugal).
French/Creole- Once every two weeks (exclusively Haitians).
Indigenous languages- Once a month (Exclusively from Latin America).
German- Once (in my adult life).
The Rest- Never.
From a practical standpoint, the only one worth studying is Spanish but even that would most likely lose value if I were to move or change jobs.
God.
Beyond that handful of occupations there are some regions where the use of a second language is more widespread. South Florida, the southwestern U.S, and California have areas where Spanish has a significant presence or is the dominant language. In these areas knowledge of Spanish is preferable, in some cases required, for jobs which require dealing with the general public.
However, I would say for the vast majority of Americans the ability to speak a second language has very very little, if any, practical value (beyond traveling outside the country).
I work with the general public (retail) in Florida (linguistically diverse for the U.S.) and here is a rough estimate as to how often I meet people who do not speak even basic English from various linguistic backgrounds.
Spanish- Daily. However, my broken Spanish works fine.
Portuguese- Once a week. (Almost exclusively Brazilians but a handful from Portugal).
French/Creole- Once every two weeks (exclusively Haitians).
Indigenous languages- Once a month (Exclusively from Latin America).
German- Once (in my adult life).
The Rest- Never.
From a practical standpoint, the only one worth studying is Spanish but even that would most likely lose value if I were to move or change jobs.
God.
<<Do they ever come useful for US Americans? Like maybe for some sort of jobs...>>
Bueno, aqui en el sur de Texas es interesante saber ingles. Algunos lo hablan bien.
El resto de lenguas no es tan importante.
Bueno, aqui en el sur de Texas es interesante saber ingles. Algunos lo hablan bien.
El resto de lenguas no es tan importante.
Do Americans ever need foreign languages?
Si, en Los Angeles se hablan muchas lenguas. La segunda lengua de la ciudad es el ingles. La tercera creo que es el chino.
Bienvenida, si vienes a Los Angeles.
Si, en Los Angeles se hablan muchas lenguas. La segunda lengua de la ciudad es el ingles. La tercera creo que es el chino.
Bienvenida, si vienes a Los Angeles.
I live in Rhode Island and Spanish is definitely the most useful foreign language here. Our Hispanic population(mostly Dominican) is large and growing, and many employers value the ability to speak Spanish. "Hablamos Espanol!" signs at businesses are very common.
Interpreting/Translating (Hospital, Home Health, Law Office, Court)
Teacher's assistant in immigrant communities
Export/Import
Police Officers/Law Enforcement
Immigration-related
Auto parts stores
Auto repair shops
Restaurants (ethnic-i.e. German, Spanish, Chinese)
opera-related
some pop singers
Church/Charity outreach programs
Real Estate (various languages)
Reading foreign books for summary and interest in the English-language market if translated
Emergency/First responders
Free/low-cost medical clinic workers
Better Hotels and their staff
Diplomats
Military linguists
Some medical practices
Some dental practices (not just Spanish, also Japanese)
Banks (Arabic, Spanish, French, Russian, and Japanese requested)
Customer service
Guides
Assistants to visiting sports celebrities from Japan (golfers, for example)
Assistants at big international sports events in the US (info booth) where wealthy people attend.
Sales (Cable companies)
University teachers
Pre-school to High School teachers
Teacher's assistant in immigrant communities
Export/Import
Police Officers/Law Enforcement
Immigration-related
Auto parts stores
Auto repair shops
Restaurants (ethnic-i.e. German, Spanish, Chinese)
opera-related
some pop singers
Church/Charity outreach programs
Real Estate (various languages)
Reading foreign books for summary and interest in the English-language market if translated
Emergency/First responders
Free/low-cost medical clinic workers
Better Hotels and their staff
Diplomats
Military linguists
Some medical practices
Some dental practices (not just Spanish, also Japanese)
Banks (Arabic, Spanish, French, Russian, and Japanese requested)
Customer service
Guides
Assistants to visiting sports celebrities from Japan (golfers, for example)
Assistants at big international sports events in the US (info booth) where wealthy people attend.
Sales (Cable companies)
University teachers
Pre-school to High School teachers