Foreign Languages: can I do it?

Today, on 'ARTE' (french TV Channel), foreign languages were one of the main focus. I was pleased to learn about "polyglot", which is a site where people can learn and practice a foreign language while making new friends. Normally people meet in public places all around Paris and exchange thoughts with others. I found it to be a great idea because learning a new language is never easy and it can be stressful for some people. Polyglot has found a fun way to get rid off people's fear about learning a new language. French people aren't great at learning English and everywhere you go, you find ads like "do you speak English? Wall Street English", or "Arrêter de massacrer l'anglais"(Telelangue)*, which I assume some people have seen on TV, and it is quit amusing. For french people learning a new language is very important, although some can tell you they aren't good at it, but they are making an effort.
The importance of learning a new language was my first topic on this blog last year because I think we are living in a new global era where languages are becoming part of our daily lives. Globalization and internationalism are the main points in the United States and Europe and for us to fit in, we must make it through this world with some knowledge of a second language. So yes, I think is fair to say that over the years leaning foreign languages has become more and more popular. If we compare the amount of students that learned foreign languages in States Universities, during fall 1996 (4,863) and fall 2006 (8,048) we have a 65% increase. This indicates how the demand of foreign languages have changed over time. However, accoring to Leon E. Panetta, this isn't enough. In a paper by Panetta a member of the Comission on Foreign Languages and International Studies, he criticizes "Americans' incompetence in foreign languages". Panetta disapprove of the fact that elementary schools aren't teaching our young kids languages and when they reach a higher level of education they don't see the importance of learning a foreign language.
We all need to do our part, and make an effort to learn a foreign language. The positive effects of learning a new language aren't only social, but also healthy. Your brain needs some sort of stimulation, and learning a foreign language can challenge your brain and give it more activity than usual. Our brain is fully charged with daily activities such as eating, talking, thinking and so on, but leaning a new language can help your brain explore other things. Have you heard people saying about foreign languages "if you don't use it you lose it"? A foreign language requires your brain to maintain its vocabulary activity, and the more you use it, the easier will be for you to express yourself without having to translate in your head. Now, remember what I said on my first blog, if you speak more than one language you are worth more. It is true, you are more valuable and others might see you as a smarter person; anyone can learn a new language, you just need to try and find a fun way to learn it.
If you are interested check out Polyglot and find out how you can start learning a new language. It doesn't matter where you live, polyglot has members all around the world and you might be able to find a friend near you. When travelling around the world, a second language can be useful, and you can surprise people by asking directions, and ordering in a foreign language (obviously the language of the country you are in, if you know it), and yes you can learn, we are never to old to to young to learn a new language, if you were looking for a challenge for this year... here you have it "Learn a new language"!



*Here is one of the videos of the advertisement of "Arreter de massacrer l'anglais", for those who haven't seen it.

Skinned Alive

Months ago I received an email titled "Mira la crueldad del ser humano" (Look at the humans cruelty), I wasn't interested in reading it , but finally after looking at it for months and months I decided to check it. Once I opened the email and read it I knew I needed to talk about it. The email presented a video and photos of animals being skinned alive, and it shocked me and it hurt me... just watching what they were going through. It just morally wrong, these poor animals are 'denied the simplest acts of kindness'. They are given the worst treatment, and condemned to an excruciating death.
While doing some research I found articles stating that "animals rights" are often debated because certain scientist question if animals feel pain. The argument is that 'language is needed to communicate pain', but how could that be? It might seen ridiculous to compare an animal to a human being, but I must! So what do we say about people who can't talk, they don't feel pain then because they can't communicate it. How about babies, they don't talk either, so they don't feel pain! Animals might not be able to talk but I'm sure if you pinch a dog, you will hear an howl. In the video we can clearly see these animals feeling pain and its devastating to see how they look hopeless with enough strength to give their last glance to the camera. In Chinese Fur Farm, these animals are kept in deplorable conditions, a real living hell.
According to PeTA the fur trade industry is untraceable, and China seems to be one of the main exporters of fur. Fur all around the world is exported and imported and no one knows where it comes from and although when a fur garment label says the product was made in Europe, this is not completely true. It is more likely that the animal was raised and slaughter somewhere in China an then exported. The Fur Trade Association says that animals are killed quickly with no pain, but even this statement is not true. It exist several institutions such as PeTA, Care for the Wild and SPA (Société Protectrice des Animaux) that are asking for help to stop this horrible mistreatment to animals. I invite you to take couple minutes of your time to check the full report I found "Furreport", also at the end of this blog you can find a video, so please be aware of its content (it's cruel and disturbing), if after the video you will like to learn more on how to prevent animal mistreatment please click on the link below .


Pledge to go fur-free at PETA.org.