Why learn languages?...

Language learning is something that everyone can do - and do it throughout their lifetime - you're never too old or too young to learn a language!
In many countries it is quite normal for most people to be able to use three languages. In the European Union, such people are well placed to take full advantage of European citizenship and of the single market. They are better able to move between countries for educational, professional or other reasons. Their linguistic skills are attractive to employers.
The European Commission wants everybody in the Union to share these benefits. In its 1995 White Paper “Teaching and Learning: towards the learning society”, it set the objective of all EU citizens being proficient in three European languages: their mother tongue plus two more.
Your reasons for learning
This is an important question: why do you want to learn? And what do you want to learn?
If you have a clear reason for learning a language, you will be more motivated to succeed.
Maybe you want to be able to understand local people when you go on holiday abroad, or maybe your job brings you in contact with people from other countries, or maybe you just want to be able to make friends with people from other backgrounds than your own. These are all good reasons for learning a foreign language! But don't forget that there are plenty of other reasons too:
More and more companies are investing in staff training in foreign languages, or are looking to recruit people with language skills. It needn't just be the top level staff who learn - shop floor workers can also be involved. Language learning can improve your career prospects.
Learning a language can increase your self-confidence and help you speak more clearly - so it can help you express yourself better in your own language as well.
Speaking someone else's language helps you to understand that person's culture and their outlook on life: the more people who do this, the more we can break down the barriers that divide people.
Whatever your situation, if you are aware of your reasons for learning a language and you remind yourself of them during your studies you will be more focused on your objectives and be able to keep up your learning momentum.

How to learn foreign languages.