Many people will have a particular reason for learning a certain language. If you just have a desire to experience foreign language learning, it doesn’t really matter which one you choose. Which country or culture interests you?
For example, at Euroasia, one of the languages we offer is Italian. Despite the fact that not many people speak Italian outside of Italy, we continue to get enrolments for Italian courses. We believe this is because New Zealanders are fascinated with Italy; Italian brands, Italian architecture and generally all things Italian!
Some people learn a language for business reasons. Various international organisations adopt “working languages” for day-to-day communications. Your career prospects would certainly be brighter if you are fluent in at least major one language other than English. Some examples of key working languages:
- The United Nations has six official and working languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish). German also enjoys special status as a “documentary language”.
- The working languages of the Secretariat of the U.N. are English and French.
- The World Trade Organization has three working languages: English, French, and Spanish.
- The International Criminal Court has two working languages: English, and French.
- The International Labour Organization has three working languages: English, French, and Spanish.
- The International Olympic Committee has two working languages: English and French.
- The European Commission has three working languages: English, French, and German.
- The Free Trade Area of the Americas has two working languages: English and Spanish.
- Mercosur has two working languages: Portuguese and Spanish.
- NATO has two working languages: English and French.
- FIFA has four working languages: English, French, German, and Spanish. Formerly, French was the sole official language of the organization. Currently, English is the official language for minutes, correspondence, and announcements.