Some time ago some
newspaper reporter called the modem Earth "a world village". It really
means that year by year the earth is getting smaller with the
development of communication and increase in international trade. People
of different countries and nations have to get along well with the
progress in world trade and technology as well as with each other. So,
it is very useful to learn foreign languages. "Knowledge is power",
one of the great men said. Speaking a foreign language you can not only
read the papers, magazines and original books by great writers, but as
well watch satellite TV programs, travel in different parts of the
world. Besides, understanding and speaking a foreign language or two
became necessary while looking for a good job. First the English
language became widely spoken in the world with the rise of British
empire. Then success of American industry and the growth of exports in
technologies cause increase in circulation of the language. And the
third factor of the last decades is remarkable boom in computer-related
equipment and technologies as well as the influence of British and
American pop culture and video films. Fortunately, I began
learning English even before I could understand the importance of
speaking and understanding it. Now I know that it is very useful for a
XXI century professional no matter what field you are in. The world is
getting smaller and international connections tighter. One can not do
well without one of the common European languages. I learn English
because I want to read Alan Milne and Ernest Hemingway in their native
language. I like Oscar Wilde and Lewis Carroll. They are quite different
when translated. Besides, I like to travel. Speaking English, I
shall have no problems looking for a room or a meal anywhere in the
world. I like to talk and make friends with people from different
countries. Last autumn I became a member of the Moscow City Pen-Pal Club
and now I have much pleasure writing letters to my Swiss and American
pen-friends. I hope, some day we shall meet each other and have a good
time in Moscow. There are also international friendship camps both in
Russia and abroad where you can meet boys and girls from around the
world. They do not often speak Russian which is much more difficult to
learn than English. In a word, I understand that I have to learn
English hard and in a proper way.
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