foreign language essay topics

Essays About Language: Top 5 Examples and 7 Prompts

Language is the key to expressive communication; let our essay examples and writing prompts inspire you if you are writing essays about language .

When we communicate with one another, we use a system called language. It mainly consists of words, which, when combined, form phrases and sentences we use to talk to one another. However, some forms of language do not require written or verbal communication , such as sign language . 

Language can also refer to how we write or say things. For example, we can speak to friends using colloquial expressions and slang, while academic writing demands precise, formal language. Language is a complex concept with many meanings; discover the secrets of language in our informative guide.

5 Top Essay Examples

1. a global language: english language by dallas ryan , 2. language and its importance to society by shelly shah, 3. language: the essence of culture by kelsey holmes.

• 4.  Foreign Language Speech by Sophie Carson
• 5. ​​Attitudes to Language by Kurt Medina

1. My Native Language

2. the advantages of bilingualism, 3. language and technology, 4. why language matters, 5. slang and communication, 6. english is the official language of the u.s..

“Furthermore, using English, people can have more friends, widen peer relationships with foreigners and can not get lost. Overall, English becomes a global language; people may have more chances in communication. Another crucial advantage is improving business. If English was spoken widespread and everyone could use it, they would likely have more opportunities in business. Foreign investments from rich countries might be supported to the poorer countries.”

In this essay, Ryan enumerates both the advantages and disadvantages of using English; it seems that Ryan proposes uniting the world under the English language. English, a well-known and commonly-spoken language can help people to communicate better, which can foster better connections with one another. However, people would lose their native language and promote a specific culture rather than diversity. Ultimately, Ryan believes that English is a “global language,” and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages

“ Language is a constituent element of civilization. It raised man from a savage state to the plane which he was capable of reaching. Man could not become man except by language. An essential point in which man differs from animals is that man alone is the sole possessor of language. No doubt animals also exhibit certain degree of power of communication but that is not only inferior in degree to human language, but also radically diverse in kind from it.”

Shah writes about the meaning of language, its role in society, and its place as an institution serving the purposes of the people using it. Most importantly, she writes about why it is necessary; the way we communicate through language separates us as humans from all other living things. It also carries individual culture and allows one to convey their thoughts. You might find our list of TOEFL writing topics helpful.

“Cultural identity is heavily dependent on a number of factors including ethnicity, gender, geographic location, religion, language, and so much more.  Culture is defined as a “historically transmitted system of symbols, meanings, and norms.”  Knowing a language automatically enables someone to identify with others who speak the same language.  This connection is such an important part of cultural exchange”

In this short essay, Homes discusses how language reflects a person’s cultural identity and the importance of communication in a civilized society. Different communities and cultures use specific sounds and understand their meanings to communicate. From this, writing was developed. Knowing a language makes connecting with others of the same culture easier. 

4.   Foreign Language Speech by Sophie Carson

“Ultimately, learning a foreign language will improve a child’s overall thinking and learning skills in general, making them smarter in many different unrelated areas. Their creativity is highly improved as they are more trained to look at problems from different angles and think outside of the box. This flexible thinking makes them better problem solvers since they can see problems from different perspectives. The better thinking skills developed from learning a foreign language have also been seen through testing scores.”

Carson writes about some of the benefits of learning a foreign language, especially during childhood. During childhood, the brain is more flexible, and it is easier for one to learn a new language in their younger years. Among many other benefits, bilingualism has been shown to improve memory and open up more parts of a child’s brain, helping them hone their critical thinking skills . Teaching children a foreign language makes them more aware of the world around them and can open up opportunities in the future.

5. ​​ Attitudes to Language by Kurt Medina

“Increasingly, educators are becoming aware that a person’s native language is an integral part of who that person is and marginalizing the language can have severe damaging effects on that person’s psyche. Many linguists consistently make a case for teaching native languages alongside the target languages so that children can clearly differentiate among the codes”

As its title suggests, Medina’s essay revolves around different attitudes towards types of language, whether it be vernacular language or dialects. He discusses this in the context of Caribbean cultures, where different dialects and languages are widespread, and people switch between languages quickly. Medina mentions how we tend to modify the language we use in different situations, depending on how formal or informal we need to be. 

6 Prompts for Essays About Language

In your essay, you can write about your native language. For example, explain how it originated and some of its characteristics. Write about why you are proud of it or persuade others to try learning it. To add depth to your essay, include a section with common phrases or idioms from your native language and explain their meaning.

Bilingualism has been said to enhance a whole range of cognitive skills , from a longer attention span to better memory. Look into the different advantages of speaking two or more languages, and use these to promote bilingualism. Cite scientific research papers and reference their findings in your essay for a compelling piece of writing.

In the 21st century, the development of new technology has blurred the lines between communication and isolation; it has undoubtedly changed how we interact and use language. For example, many words have been replaced in day-to-day communication by texting lingo and slang. In addition, technology has made us communicate more virtually and non-verbally. Research and discuss how the 21st century has changed how we interact and “do language” worldwide, whether it has improved or worsened. 

We often change how we speak depending on the situation; we use different words and expressions. Why do we do this? Based on a combination of personal experience and research, reflect on why it is essential to use appropriate language in different scenarios.

Different cultures use different forms of slang. Slang is a type of language consisting of informal words and expressions. Some hold negative views towards slang, saying that it degrades the language system, while others believe it allows people to express their culture. Write about whether you believe slang should be acceptable or not: defend your position by giving evidence either that slang is detrimental to language or that it poses no threat.

English is the most spoken language in the United States and is used in government documents ; it is all but the country’s official language. Do you believe the government should finally declare English the country’s official language? Research the viewpoints of both sides and form a conclusion; support your argument with sufficient details and research. 

Check out our guide packed full of transition words for essays .If you’re stuck picking your next essay topic, check out our guide on how to write an essay about diversity .

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Foreign Language IELTS Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Samples

• Updated On December 14, 2023
• Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

Writing Task 2 of the IELTS exam has displayed a large variety of questions over the years. However, there are still some general themes and topics that are often repeated in Task 2 of this English proficiency test. One of these recurring themes is the new language or the foreign language theme.

Table of Contents

In this theme, you can be asked to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of learning a different language belonging to any of the foreign countries. Additionally, you can also be asked to express your own opinion on the topic. This blog shares detailed information about Foreign Language IELTS Essay. Before we get deeper into the topic and start discussing model answers, let’s walk through some general tips that can help you in leaving a good impression on the examiner about your English language skills in task 2.

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Tips to Ace the Foreign Language Essay Writing Task 2 IELTS

Although you can find an endless number of relevant examples for the essay writing task in IELTS, there really is no fixed format that can guarantee you a good band score in the writing section. So, what really works in helping you get a good score in task 2?

• A strong introduction and conclusion that are in coherence with the topic assigned: This will immediately get your examiner hooked onto the paragraphs written inside your piece and will leave a great impression on them!
• Use of refined vocabulary along with excellent use of grammar: Making use of good (and sometimes complex) vocabulary accompanied by an accurate usage of the English grammar is a pre-requisite for getting a good score in writing. It shows the examiner that your own knowledge of the language is vast.
• Providing relevant examples from different parts of the world: Many aspirants miss out on supporting their arguments along with good examples from either their own country or a different country. This leads to them losing out on marks in task 2.

Following these three tips will really catapult your writing task 2 score, which will have a greater impact on your overall band score for the writing section. To make the application of these tips more clear, let’s take a look at some of the sample answers for the foreign language theme.

Foreign Language IELTS Essay Samples

Question – Some people believe that the only reason for learning a new/foreign language is for travelling or working in a foreign land. While others argue that there are many more reasons as why someone should learn a new language apart from their native language. You have to discuss both these arguments and give your own opinion on the following topic. Make sure to give reasons for your answers and provide examples. Minimum word limit – 250 words

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Sample Answer 1

Learning a second language or a foreign language is linked to many advantages that far surpass the sole reasons of learning a new language for travelling or working in a foreign land. However, for the sake of playing the devil’s advocate, I’ll say that some people belonging to a different school of thought consider better job opportunities and travelling to be the only motive behind learning a foreign language. I am of the opinion that there are other reasons like learning about a foreign culture, and the bright prospect of cognitive development that propel many monolingual people to study a new language. With ever-increasing globalization and the opening up of international barriers, more and more people choose to emigrate to new and foreign lands in the hope of better job prospects. This often requires them to learn a new tongue. For instance, many people prefer learning languages like English, Spanish, and French, rather than the Russian language because countries speaking the former tongues have shown more affinity towards emigrants and provide a multitude of better job opportunities. This makes many people believe that jobs and sometimes travel are the only driving forces for learning a new tongue, especially for a young learner. On the other hand, some people including myself have researched the pros and cons of learning a foreign language thoroughly and have found that the pros far outweigh the drawbacks. The onset of memory ailments like dementia can be slowed down by cognitive development that comes with learning a foreign language. Furthermore, multilingual people are more confident and can easily acclimate themselves to new and alien surroundings by the virtue of their communication skills that have been expanded and upscaled. They find it easy to overcome language barriers and truly become global citizens speaking the global language. In conclusion, to go through the tough process of honing effective communication skills in a third language or a second language, people realise that it is not just for the sake of travel or work that they are doing this process. Instead, it stems from a deeper love for the language and the confidence that speaking a new tongue instills in them. Question – When living in a foreign country where you have to speak a new language, you can face serious social and practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons and examples in your answer and write at least 250 words.

Also Read: SAT Writing & Language Test 2022

Sample Answer 2

Language barriers arguably form the backbone of the biggest social and practical problems that people living in a foreign land have to face and overcome often. In my personal opinion, it can also spark serious problems in various countries, however, the widespread use of technology in curbing these issues to a certain extent over the past few decades. People belonging to different cultures can have issues in understanding each other because of speaking different languages and sometimes even because of different ways of pronunciation of the same words. Migration is not on the rise in the twenty-first century and people often move to distant lands in hopes of jobs, travel, and sometimes studying. In such a scenario not speaking the land’s language can become a basis for social problems like discrimination, racism, etc. Interestingly enough, technology has played a pivotal role in curbing the extent of practical problems faced by people when moving to a new land without being savvy with the foreign language. For instance, there are many web-based applications that do the translation job for people and save them the trouble of having to explain their point to the natives merely through vague hand gestures.

By way of conclusion, I stand firm on the point that social problems can far exceed practical problems when migrating to a foreign land without being fluent in the foreign language and perhaps, some language learning could really help in becoming a part of the foreign culture quicker and better. Although, as far as practical problems are concerned, technology is a boon that is eliminating most of them.

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1. how do i practice the ielts writing at home.

Ans: The best way to  practice  writing for IELTS is by looking at sample answers and practising as many themes as you can. You can also show this to a tutor or an online learning platform’s mentors like the ones at  Leap Scholar  to ensure that you are on the right path.

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Home Essay Samples Science Second Language

The Importance of Learning a Foreign Language

Table of contents, breaking down barriers, cognitive benefits, professional advantages, cultural enrichment, role of education, references:.

• Bialystok, E. (2001). Bilingualism in Development: Language, Literacy, and Cognition. Cambridge University Press.
• Crystal, D. (2017). English as a Global Language (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• Dewaele, J. M. (2018). Why the dichotomy ‘L1 versus LX user’ is better than ‘native versus non-native speaker’. Applied Linguistics, 39(2), 236-240.
• Grosjean, F. (2010). Bilingual: Life and Reality. Harvard University Press.
• Nikolov, M. (2009). Early Learning of Modern Foreign Languages: Processes and Outcomes. Multilingual Matters.

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Student Essay: The Value of Foreign Languages

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Language Essay Titles

IELTS Essay Questions for the Topic of Language. All essay questions below are reported by IELTS candidates and seem to have been repeated over the years. Regardless of the years the questions were reported, you could get any question below in your test. You should, therefore, prepare ideas for all questions given below. The topics below could appear in both GT and Academic IELTS Writing Task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Language Essay Questions

As computers translate quickly and accurately, learning foreign languages is a waste of time? To what extend do you agree or disagree. (2017, 2020, 2023)

Scientists predict that all people will choose to talk the same global language in the future. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? (appears most years in the test)

Some schools are no longer teaching children how to write with a pen. Do you think children should learn handwriting skills? (2024)

Some people think that a person can never understand the culture of a country unless they speak the language. Do you agree with this opinion?

Some people think that you can never become fluent in a language unless you have spent time living or working in that country. To what extent do you agree?

Some people think that all children in school should learn a foreign language at an early age. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this? (2020, 2023)

Reported essay questions are from students who have taken their IELTS test. That means questions may have appeared more frequently than have been reported. These questions may vary slightly in wording and focus from the original question. Also note that these questions could also appear in IELTS speaking part 3 which is another good reason to prepare all topics thoroughly.

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Language and culture essay topics and questions for IELTS writing task 2

Home  »  IELTS writing task 2 questions  » Topics about language and culture for task 2

Some people think it is alright to spend money for their wants, such as a new car or the latest gadget. Others think it is better to save their money and only buy what they really need. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.

Some parents prefer to have their children be raised by their grandparents. Some prefer to raise them on their own. Which would you prefer and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

Some people believe that watching television is bad for children. Other people believe that watching television is educational for children. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.

Some people believe that people behave differently when they wear different clothes, while others do not believe that clothes influence the way people behave. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Some people think the media – television and films – negatively affect people's behaviour. Others do not think so. How do you think the media affects people's behaviour? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

How do advertisements affect the trend of people and economy? Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Some people believe that only people who have a lot of money are successful. Others believe that success does not always equate to having lots of money. Which statement do you agree with and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.

Countries should restrict foreign companies from opening offices and factories in order to protect local businesses. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.

Give reasons for the popularity of reality TV in the recent years. Explain the effects on society and the social meaning of this trend.

Does too much freedom for – today’s children give positive results? Why or why not? Include specific details and examples to support your answer.

Everything needs to be a bit challenging in order to be enjoyable. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.

In some countries people place more importance on their retirement years because they will have more time to enjoy their lives and will have shed most of their responsibilities. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some parents think that the latest technologies (gadgets, computers, etc.) will help in their child's learning development. Others think giving children the latest gadgets will be a distraction in their studies. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.

Computer games help parents in the care for their children because they keep children occupied. Do you agree or disagree? To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your generation different from your parents' generation? Include reasons and details in your explanation.

In some countries, people live with their parents and siblings until their old age. Do you think there are more advantages or disadvantages to this behaviour? Discuss your opinion and provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Have you ever lived away from your parents? Describe your living situation and explain its advantages and disadvantages. Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online? Share your own experience as an example in your answer. Give specific details and examples in your answer.

Some people prefer to live in a traditional house. Others prefer to live in a modern apartment building. Which do you prefer and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.

In some developing countries, government funds are spent more on repairing buildings than building new ones. Does this help them save more money in the long run? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your position.

To what extent do you agree or disagree? Ads manipulate your taste and the way you think. Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Compared to the past, more people are now trying to learn a foreign language to increase their chances of landing a better job in their native country or to have better opportunities to work abroad. To what extent do you agree with this point of view? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Many children participate in social networks on the internet instead of participating in community activities in their neighbourhood. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this situation? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some people believe that children should be required to learn other languages at a young age because it will be useful for their personal development. Do you support or oppose this opinion? Explain your position.

Some argue that film and television are a waste of time, because they do not have a direct connection with people's lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Do children need to be rewarded when they behave properly? Do we need to punish or beat them if they make mistakes? What is your view on this? Give specific reasons and examples to support you answer.

In some countries people are happy when they retire and remain very active. In other countries, they are considered too old to enjoy their lives. Which opinion do you hold? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Children should always start studying foreign languages from an early age. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

In your own opinion, do you think that advertisements are informative? Why or why not? Give specific reasons and examples to support you answer.

Young people prefer living in big cities. What will this tendency lead to? Suggest reasons and results of this trend. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

More people now work overseas. What are the reasons why people are doing so? Does this trend have more advantages or disadvantages? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

The most popular modern media is the internet. Do you think it will replace all other available media of communication? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some people argue that the best way to have work efficiency is for the worker to work for several days and then takes a few days off. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this arrangement? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Not all workers get to work on the job they are qualified for. Why do you think this is so? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Young people believe that they live in a better world than older generations. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

According to some people, living in a big city is not as good for families as living in a small town. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

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Recent IELTS essay topics 2021

Recent ielts essay topics january 2021, october/november 2020 task  2 sample questions.

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IELTS essay, topic: Is learning a foreign language essential or a waste of time (opinion)?

• IELTS Essays - Band 9

This is a model response to a Writing Task 2 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 5 Academic book, Practice Test 25

Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people feel that learning a foreign language is an essential component of a child’s education. Others feel that learning a foreign language is often a waste of time that can be better spent on learning about technology and other more vocational subjects.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

Sample Band 9 Essay

Throughout the history of education, learning a foreign language or languages has been a constant component. Of course, many people feel that this is really an unnecessary part of education for everyone, but this is not a point of view that I share.

The opponents to learning a foreign language might argue that most people do not travel that often outside their own country. In addition to this, out of all the countries of the world, comparatively not many share the same language. Therefore, learning a foreign language will only be useful for the very limited time that one spends in a country where this language is used. For some people, the language might never be used in their entire lives. When one thinks about how much time and money are spent training language teachers, buying resources, going on trips and delivering lessons for such a negligible benefit, this would seem to be a very inefficient allocation of resources.

However, the benefits of learning a foreign language go further than just the ability to use it from time to time on a holiday or business trip. Firstly, through learning one language, one gains an understanding to some extent of how all languages work. Thus, no matter where people might end up around the world, the knowledge of language can be of use. Secondly, with the study of a foreign language, one also opens oneself up to other cultures. This allows in turn an appreciation for different points of view and belief systems. With an ever-shrinking world due to globalisation, the ability to empathise and understand the people from other countries is vital to reducing conflict and creating a more tolerant society. Finally, quite simply learning languages is excellent for the improvement of general cognitive skills.

It seems to me that learning a foreign language, therefore, is more than just gaining the ability to speak a few words of a foreign tongue. It is part of intellectual and social development and needs to be continued for everyone in today’s schools.

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Essays

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3 thoughts on “IELTS essay, topic: Is learning a foreign language essential or a waste of time (opinion)?”

Education today is an essential key to becoming successful in the future. The curriculum in these institutions should be designed in such a way that it is helpful in the overall development of a child. In this essay I will talk about if foreign language as a component of child’s education is beneficial or not. Learning a foreign language as a part of curriculum doesn’t have so many benefits when a child is growing up because they don’t have opportunities to go abroad and converse with people who speak that language. Sometimes these extra subjects create a burden on a child as there is already a lot to study, if time management is not done appropriately, they can lag in important subjects. Rather the focus of educational institutions should be on including more vocational and technology driven subjects as they make students more curious and innovative in approaching different things in life. But as said learning a foreign language has positive sides as well, as it makes a child open to other cultures and creates curiosity in them to learn more about that culture. Also, in future whenever they visit that place, they can have better communication with them without feeling helpless. Also, globalization has opened different spectrums in the world, a new language can always be beneficial to use it for your advantage in opening a new business or working in partnership with people of that country. In conclusion I would like to mention that learning a foreign language doesn’t come with lots of advantages when a child is growing up. If parents feel a need that their child should know a foreign language, then they can opt it as an additional subject which students can study in summer or winter breaks without jeopardizing their regular curriculum.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Foreign Languages (Cambridge 13)

by Dave | Cambridge 13 | 47 Comments

This IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer is from a past paper and was published in Cambridge 13.

The topic is foreign languages and it falls in the ‘social problems’ category of ielts., read on for a sample answer from a former ielts examiner (that’s me, dave), analysis, vocabulary practice, notes, links and more, here is another sample answer for ielts cambridge 13: ielts cambridge 13: choice ., you can read my other sample answers here for task 2 writing ., here are my task 1 writing sample answers and here are the most recent questions on ielts from 2019 ., be sure to avoid the mistakes that most students make on writing by signing up for my exclusive ielts ebooks here on patreon., ielts examiner sample answer: foreign languages (by dave).

Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

One of the biggest social and practical challenges that people living abroad face is the language barrier. I believe that this can lead to very serious social problems in many countries but technology has made the practical issues less relevant over the last several decades.

The main reason that having to speak a foreign language can cause social problems is through the breakdown in understanding between people of different cultures. the most salient example of this is in the united states where there has been an influx of hispanic immigrants, especially along the southern border. these immigrants are typically able to integrate well if they learn english but those that have not learned have provoked social problems and even violent reactions. many english speaking residents resent the immigrants failure to integrate and this has resulted in discriminatory practices and widespread racism towards hispanics. this in turn has caused many hispanics to develop an antipathy towards other residents and segregate themselves in homogeneous neighborhoods., there are comparatively fewer practical problems caused by not knowing the language of the country where you live because of the development of technology in general and smartphones in particular. computers have made it much easier to look up directions, find important information and get quick translations. smartphones have made this even easier. if someone doesn’t know the language of the country where they live, they can still find restaurants to their liking on facebook and get simple directions through google maps. they can even order food online without having to use another language at all. if they need to communicate with someone who does not speak their language they can simply take out their phone and use google translate to slowly, but effectively, convey a message. the problems that not knowing the language of the country where you live causes are therefore minimal and easily overcome., in conclusion, i only partly agree with the statement in question. not knowing a language when living abroad can cause social unrest but pragmatic concerns have been mitigated by recent technology. in the future, it will become even less important to know the language of the country where you live although there is great potential for increased social unrest and heightened tensions in many parts of the world., ielts examiner sample answer analysis, my first sentence simply paraphrases the question and topic. write this sentence fast as it isn’t that important., my second sentence states my opinion and includes the main reason why (technology)., my first sentence is a topic sentence that states why not knowing the language of the country where you live can be a problem., my second sentence gives an example in the united states., my third sentence further explains this example., my fourth sentence states the results of this (in the united states)., my fifth sentence further describes the results and continues to develop the same example. pick one great example and develop it with 3 – 4 sentences., my first sentence is a topic sentence that states why not knowing the language of the country where you live isn’t much of a problem anymore because of technology., my second sentence explains how computers have made it easier to get translations., my third sentence extends this to smartphones., my fourth sentence gives two specific examples of facebook and google maps helping people., my fifth sentence gives another example – ordering food online., my sixth sentence gives another example of using google translate to have a conversation., my seventh sentence concludes that technology has made it easier to communicate with people who speak another language., my first sentence summarizes my position and makes it completely clear. it can never be too clear, my second sentence summarizes my argument that technology has done enough to overcome this problem., my third sentence extends my opinion by talking about how in the future this will be even less of a problem. i add the caveat that i may be wrong about certain parts of the world., sample answer vocabulary, what do the phrases highlighted below mean in your own words, one of the biggest social and practical challenges that people living abroad face is the language barrier . i believe that this can lead to very serious social problems in many countries but technology has made the practical issues less relevant over the last several decades., the main reason that having to speak a foreign language can cause social problems is through the breakdown in understanding between people of different cultures. the most salient example of this is in the united states where there has been an influx of hispanic immigrants, especially along the southern border. these immigrants are typically able to integrate well if they learn english but those that have not learned have provoked social problems and even violent reactions. many english speaking residents resent the immigrants failure to integrate and this has resulted in discriminatory practices and widespread racism towards hispanics. this in turn has caused many hispanics to develop an antipathy towards other residents and segregate themselves in homogeneous neighborhoods ., there are comparatively fewer practical problems caused by not knowing the language of the country where you live because of the development of technology in general and smartphones in particular. computers have made it much easier to look up directions , find important information and get quick translations. smartphones have made this even easier. if someone doesn’t know the language of the country where they live, they can still find restaurants to their liking on facebook and get simple directions through google maps. they can even order food online without having to use another language at all . if they need to communicate with someone who does not speak their language they can simply take out their phone and use google translate to slowly, but effectively, convey a message . the problems that not knowing the language of the country where you live causes are therefore minimal and easily overcome ., that people living abroad: people who live outside the country where they were born, language barrier: the challenge of talking to people who don’t speak your language, less relevant: not as important or related, breakdown in understanding: inability to understand, the most salient example: the best example, the one that stands out the most, influx: big rush of something, hispanic:  relating to spain or to spanish-speaking countries, especially those of latin america, to integrate well: to become part of a group, community, or nation, provoked social problems: causes social problems, resent   : feel angry towards, failure to integrate: inability to join a group, community, or nation, discriminatory practices: doing things to keep certain genders or races out/away, widespread racism: lots of people disliking an ethnic group or race, this in turn: this causes, antipathy: hatred, segregate: to separate or stay apart, homogeneous neighborhoods: communities with only 1 ethnic group, comparatively fewer: less of something compared to something else, in particular: this one area emphasized or standing out, look up directions: find the way to get somewhere, at all: in any way or completely, take out: to remove something from a pocket or somewhere else, convey a message: communicate something, minimal: negligible or little impact, easily overcome: not hard to get over, i only partly agree: agree to some extent but not 100%, pragmatic concerns: practical issues/questions, mitigated:  make less severe or serious, great potential: a very good chance or possibility, social unrest: social problems, heightened tensions: stressful relationships between people or groups of people, vocabulary practice, one of the biggest social and practical challenges ____________________  face is the ____________________ . i believe that this can lead to very serious social problems in many countries but technology has made the practical issues ____________________  over the last several decades., the main reason that having to speak a foreign language can cause social problems is through the ____________________  between people of different cultures. ____________________  of this is in the united states where there has been an ____________________  of ____________________  immigrants, especially along the southern border. these immigrants are typically able ____________________  if they learn english but those that have not learned have ____________________  and even violent reactions. many english speaking residents ____________________  the immigrants ____________________  and this has resulted in ____________________  and ____________________  towards hispanics. ____________________  has caused many hispanics to develop an ____________________  towards other residents and ____________________  themselves in ____________________ ., there are ____________________  practical problems caused by not knowing the language of the country where you live because of the development of technology in general and smartphones ____________________ . computers have made it much easier to ____________________ , find important information and get quick translations. smartphones have made this even easier. if someone doesn’t know the language of the country where they live, they can still find restaurants to their liking on facebook and get simple directions through google maps. they can even order food online without having to use another language ____________________ . if they need to communicate with someone who does not speak their language they can simply ____________________   their phone and use google translate to slowly, but effectively, ____________________ . the problems that not knowing the language of the country where you live causes are therefore ____________________  and ____________________ ., in conclusion, ____________________  with the statement in question. not knowing a language when living abroad can cause social unrest but ____________________  have been ____________________  by recent technology. in the future, it will become even less important to know the language of the country where you live although there is ____________________  for increased ____________________  and ____________________  in many parts of the world..

Overcoming the Language Barrier Tips

Comment below – are there a lot of people who live in your country who can’t speak the national language.

Well, where I live… It’s a bit of a mix actually in … Honestly, it’s a huge problem in … Frankly, we don’t really have to deal with this issue much in ….

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47 Comments

Kindly take a look at my answer:

It is true that communicating in a different language than a local one is a requirement and lifestyle for people in some nations. However, different kinds of problems can arise out of any issues, and there is no exception to this one.

One obvious problem that the society should look at is how an older generation views this development. For one reason, old people tend to frown upon something they are not comfortable with. For example, in a society with a deeply ingrained conventional point of view, people are more likely to disapprove of how a younger generation uses a foreign language in a normal conversation, while the local one would do the job. However, in the meantime, people can also enjoy the diversity and beauty of the language which gives them a chance to express themselves in a new way they want. So, people of the previous generation might not appreciate the use of a foreign language, while younger people see it as an advantage.

Nevertheless, the actual problem can be an identity crisis as well. The truth is if there is an ever growing number of people using a foreign language, perhaps they will feel more comfortable with the new language than their own. Take English as an example. In my experience, I have seen people expressing themselves very well in English but in many occasions are stuck at communicating in a local one due to an inadequate amount of vocabulary. However, in this globalisation era, this trend cannot be completely avoided. As suggested by the definition, globalisation demands us to redefine how jobs, communications and developments should be done, and a foreign language is part of this. Therefore, if we want to go global, a foreign language will be what it takes, but less attention might be paid to the local identity.

In conclusion, I agree that a foreign language can certainly bring about problems for the society and how it functions. However, the benefits it brings should be taken into account as well. So, while being faced with the problems, we can also benefit from some accompanying advantages too.

Wow! Well done! Here are some corrections:

Paragraph 1: ‘from the local one’ requirement isn’t quite the right word… doesn’t make sense exactly ‘lifestyle choice’ don’t use phrases that are too general like ‘different kinds of problems can arise out of any issues, and there is no exception to this one’ try to write something that responds to this specific question.

Paragraph 2: ‘the older generation’ I don’t understand exactly why older people would be against this – be clearer – is it because they don’t have the opportunity or ability at their age to learn a language?

Paragraph 3: Very good! very specific and I understand your point exactly. The only issue is that it is unlikely people actually forget their native language – but it is more likely that they are more interested in culture in English – music, movies, etc and that changes their national identity.

Conclusiong: You must choose a side! This will get a 5 for task achievement because you didn’t choose a side.

Hope that answers your questions – let me know if you have any others!

Kindly take a look at my answer: There are an increasing number of people learning and using a foreign language in a different country. Owing to the fact that they might use it improperly which can lead to significant social problems and also practical problems. This social pheromone has increasing people’s concern.

From my point of view, I agree with it. For the reason that there are certain culture difference between countries. There is no doubt that people from various culture background will view one thing from different perspective, as a result, they might misunderstand each other. Asian people tend to refuse a gift to show their humbleness, however, American can fail to understand and thus feel upset about being rejected. It is also hard to social if you are not capable of using local language. This is especially common to find in foreign students. For example, most Chinese students are good at paper work but are too shy to speak and consequently, they tend to hang out with other Chinese students.

As for practical problems, it seems more serious because you may break the law. Take my friend as an example, he once smoked under a ‘Smoking Free’ sign since he thought it means smoking freely. Under this situation, he was faced fine even sent to jail.

Overall, if one hold the foreign language poorly, they will be faced with all kinds of dilemma in daily life: misunderstanding others, having trouble making friends with local people, etc. In the practical aspect, they will have the risk of disobeying the registration as well as break the law.

Sure! Some corrections ‘in different countries, The fact that they might use it improperly could lead to…, phenomenon is a great concern for many people, I agree with this view because…, cultural backgrouns, many different perspectives, are more likely to refuse, Americans, the local, this is more serious, since he thought it meant he could smoke freely, In this case, he could face a fine or even jail time, dilemmas, if one has poor command of a language, people, and so on, In terms of its practical aspects, risk of being rude as well as breaking the law.’ The gift one doesn’t work because it is not related to language – also take a look at the structure above and try to follow it more strictly! Good effort though!

I will be very appreciated if you check my essay and give a score kind regards.

One of the social and practical challenges that people who live in a foreign country face is the language barrier. In my point of view, language is the main factor which should be taken into consideration when someone tries to adapt to a new nation and country. In this essay, I will try to address these problems.

Communication has a crucial role when a person settles to a new country and adapting a nation. For example, if we come across with conflict situations we should better explain ourselves in appropriate ways. At this point, being deprivation of speaking foreign language accurately would cause misunderstandings. Many immigrants are not integrated easily in their new societies unless able to talk and understand their tongue. Besides, unfortunately, there are still lots of racist minded groups around the world which making problems harder.

In addition to the social facts, lack of language has significant impacts on practical areas such as workplaces, educational institutions etc. For instance, even though English is valid and widely used at almost every university today, knowing the native language makes a great difference in many times. According to my experiences, majority of the teachers prefer their native language frequently. As a result of this most of foreign students couldn’t understand lessons efficiently during class.

In conclusion, I completely agree with that statement in the question. While living abroad, it is vital to know the language of the country which is for overcoming social and practical problems. Somehow people need to recognize this and therefore ought to improve themselves

One of the biggest social and practical challenges that people who live in a foreign country face is the language barrier. In my point of view, language is the main factor which should be taken into consideration when someone tries to adapt to a new nation and country. In this essay, I will try to address the chief problems.

Communication plays a crucial role when a person settles to a new country and begins adapting. For example, if we come across conflicts we can better explain ourselves in an appropriate way. At this point, being unable to speak a foreign language accurately could cause misunderstandings. Many immigrants do not integratd easily in their new societies unless they are able to talk and understand others. Besides, unfortunately, there are still lots of racist groups around the world making problems harder.

In addition to the social facts, lack of language has a significant impact on practical areas such as the workplace, educational institutions and so on. For instance, even though English is valid and widely used at almost every university today, knowing the native language makes a great difference in many situations. In my experiences, the majority of the teachers prefer their native language . As a result of this most of foreign students cannot understand lessons effectively during class.

In conclusion, I completely agree with the statement in the question. While living abroad, it is vital to know the language of the country which is for overcoming social and practical problems. Somehow people need to recognize this and therefore ought to improve themselves.

Great work! If you need more help: course.howtodoielts.com

Kindly take a look at my answer;

Due to the spread of globalization, there has been a tendency that more and more people are starting to immigrate to the other country nowadays. Some people argue that living in a foreign country where you have to speak an additional language can cause not only serious social problems but also practical issues. I agree with that idea the lives in a country where we do not well unable us to communicate with others spontaneously. There are two reasons why I agree with this idea

First of all, immigrants cannot understand how native speakers feel perfectly during the conversation with them. In my own experience, when I talk with English native speakers, I can understand what they are talking about, but I cannot make myself understood the subtle difference of word’s nuance such as “see”and “watch” specifically. Therefore, the perfect mutual understanding may be needed when we talk with foreigners

In addition, immigrants are not able to do work efficiently in a foreign country rather than their nationality. For example, immigrants from Japan are capable of doing both of presentation and tasks smoothly because they can utilize their mother language. On the other hand, immigrants from Japan is forced to speak foreign language such as English, French and Chinese in foreign countries, which can cause them to slow down their product efficiency because they are only permitted to speak additional languages.

To sum up,there is a possibility that a little difference between native speakers and immigrants can cause big problems. Perhaps it is needed to learn foreign languages more careful in case we do not face the bad situations.

Good work! The conclusion is a bit long – try to limit it to a maximum of 3 sentences and spend more time supporting your main ideas – that is much more important! ‘Cannot grasp the full meaning of what…, understood in terms of the subtle differences betweeen nuanced words such as…’ this paragraph could develop moreso or give a better example of the repercussions of not understanding such as when you are in a shop or talking to a teacher, something with greater stakes.

‘in a foreign country. are forced, which can slow their, only understood when speaking these languages’ This main idea and support is ok but would be better with a more specific example – what job exactly?

Good conclusion! (differences can lead to, to make life easier)

Hi, could you please take a look at my essay? I would really appreciate your help! :

“These days, many people seeking work and better life opportunities, decide to leave their home country and emigrate abroad. Very severe social issues and practical obstacles may appear when we live in a foreign country in which we can not use our mother tongue. This essay will argue that knowledge of different languages is essential for people who moved abroad to be able to communicate with the other members of society to avoid problems in everyday life.

Some people believe that it is not necessary to learn languages in case we want to change the place of living. There are some foreign- countries around the world, and Taiwan is a good example. Taiwanese and Chinese are the languages most frequently used on this island, however, it is not necessary to know them before we visit this place. The reason why is that most of the names of public sites, menu in restaurants and other signs are translated to English so it makes it easier to travel around the island and stay there. Communication skills consist not only of speech and the very important part of interacting with other people is body language which can help us to solve many problems even if we don’t know the language.

On the other hand, when we are able to communicate in a foreign language it can prevent us from having difficulties in many situations. Not being able to talk in the official language, can make life more complicated and mastering this skill in the new country is crucial to avoid difficulties in everyday life including social and practical part of it.  Although there are some countries that help foreign when they have problems with communication in common situations, the majority of them is not that keen to help. Poland is one of the places which can be a source of frustration for those people who don’t know Polish. Even in the immigration centers, workers don’t have basic English knowledge and that makes dealing with office issues very complex for foreigners. People can not make relationships, as well as meet new friends when they are not able to communicate with others. When people want to stay longer in this new place and be a part of it, this is not possible to fully understand the culture and heritage of a foreign country without knowing the language.

This essay argued that however some people it is not necessary to learn a new language before emigration abroad, it makes life more difficult and many obstacles can appear when we can not communicate with foreigners in their mother tongue. I fully agree that knowledge of foreign languages is essential and can prevent many problems when people want to change their place of living for a longer time.

Good work Ewa! Here is some feedback by paragraph: Introduction: great introduction – clear opinion, with your main ideas. The only issue is that it (and the whole essay) is too long. If you can do it in 40 minutes, it is fine though! Paragraph 2: This paragraph is good because you have specific examples but would be a bit stronger if you last sentence was more specific and related more to your example of Taiwan/China. For example, a situation where body language would be helpful when living there. Paragraph 3: The beginning of the paragraph is a little general – try to get to your example faster. The whole paragraph is a little general and would be better with more detail on the specific issues that foreigners face at the immigration centres – almost there! Conclusion: Good conclusion!

Overall: Try to be more specific with your examples, you are very, very close to an ideal IELTS essay!

Kindly take a look at my writing : Many people wish to live in a foreign country dreaming about perfect weather, exotic foods, meeting new people and learning new culture. However, in reality, living in a foreign country could be challenging, especially when you don’t speak their language. It could cause not only social problems but also practical problems. First, from social perspective, it is hard to get into community. Language is the most important key for communication. If you don’t speak same language with others, it is extremely hard to communicate as well as get along with them. For instance, when I used to work as an English teacher in Korea, there was an English teacher who came from America. He didn’t speak Korean at all when he first came to Korea. He had trouble communicating with other teachers and students. Therefore, I had to be around him all the time to help him out at work. Also, out of work, he had a hard to time to make friends or enjoy social life because of language issue. He usually stayed at home after work. Second, practically, it could be hard to perform basic living activities. Things that we do very easily every day can become very tough when you don’t know the language including buying groceries, asking for different color of pants, or opening a new account at a bank. In addition, it is challenging to get a job without speaking language. The opportunities probably limited to the jobs that don’t necessarily require language such as cleaning workers or physical labors. Most likely, those jobs can only earn minimum wages, which could lead to financial problems depending on personal situation. In conclusion, language is very important to live a normal life. Therefore, living in a foreign country without speaking the common language can cause various problems including lack of social connections and unsatisfied basic living performance.

Hi Reina! Thanks for putting in the hard work on that answer.

Some of the things that you did well: Your example in the second paragraph is excellent – very well developed! The second paragraph also has a long, well-argue example. You focus on paragraph on the social problems and the other on the practical ones – excellent!

What you could improve on: The first sentence is a bit irrelevant. The final detail/thought sentence at the end is too repetitive.

Great work overall!

Thank you so much for your help!

You’re welcome!

Hi dear Dave! Would you please take a look also at mine and specify some of my mistakes? Thanks a lot.

Q: Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

A: Many believe that people who immigrate to a foreign country, where the prevalent language is different from their mother tongue, will confront difficulties dealing with others in public and also face troubles in practice. I agree with this claim because the cultural differences and practical experiments of individuals who come from different backgrounds could come with a lot of troubles.

An individual grown up with a particular language contex will most probably possess some cultural specifications different from the host country. This also goes for the language details which may lead to mutual misunderstanding. For example, a foreigner may face severe difficulties making friends with native residents. Take for instance, he or she is more likely going to misinterpret others when they are trying to tell a joke and consider them offensive, comparing that with their own ethnic culture or may not fully understand what others are trying to explain because of the small items they do not thoroughly understand.

Some other nuisances that one may deal with as a new immigrant to a country with a different language would be fulfilling practical tasks. Take for instance, creating a bank account to deposit some deal of money in, as a basic practical experience. A recent survey found that more than 80 percent of Iranian master students in Canada did not initially have any idea how they can have a credit card and they were not aware that not only they are not going to receive a profit for the deposit they are making in a bank, but they would be charged for protecting their cash and other monetary services offered by those financial foundations.

In conclusion, I agree with the idea that an stranger would normally have to tackle problems pertaining to language differences both in social and pragmatic situations. And such inconveniences are mostly provoked by misunderstandings due to lacking a common cultural background and the differences of some typical social experiments any two countries have.

Hello! That’s a nice piece of writing.

Some feedback:

Careful using words you aren’t totally sure about Good examples! Your opinion is really clear and you main ideas relevant Careful with modal verbs

Keep it up!

Thanks for your time and attention. But could your feedback kindly be a bit more specific?

like: Naming some words you thing I am not totally sure about but are still used? Some modal verbs that are not used properly.

and: Would it be considered as a band +7 or not?

Thanks again dear Dave

For more specific feedback, you can see my correction service here: https://course.howtodoielts.com/band-scores-corrections

Hope it helps you out!

You’re welcome, Saeed!

Thanks it’s so help for me it’s contains all which I need eg. Links, vocabulary and whole explanation ✌️✌✌❤️

Happy to hear that – keep up the hard work!

Hi! I used to go to school in the us, and that’s where I learned to write essays. I’m currently back in my home country though, and I’m taking Ielts in a couple months. When I learned to write essays in the us, they taught us to write more formally and not at straightforward as the Ielts essays I’ve seen so far.

For example, we were taught to avoid writing in first person using “I” unless specified, and to never clearly and plainly state our claim, but rather to word it in such a way that made it clear and understandable what our stance was.

In all of my practice so far, I’ve been writing my essays like this, and I was wondering if that is all alright? My main concern is that the examiners reading and checking the essays comment on mine saying that it has unnecessary detail and information, or that not all of the sentences relate to the topic (for example, if I started an essay with the above foreign language topic by saying how many people of the younger generation feel pressure and stress from today’s technology, thus making more and more of them want to travel the world to both take a break from social media and to create their own adventures and memories. Then I tied that into how those planning to go to foreign countries may face a variety of issues. How would that sound?). Do you know anything about this? Thanks so much!

Yes, there are some differences depending on the country and school and so on when it comes to academic writing.

‘I’ is absolutely fine in these essays and IELTS states that themselves on their website. Because there are a number of standards depending on the country, IELTS is a little more flexible about academic writing.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair to candidates.

Your opening sounds slightly irrelevant so I would advise you stick to a stricter paraphrase of the topic. But if you quickly relate it back to the topic and stick to it, then that wouldn’t be a big deal.

Is that clear?

Yeah, I can see how it’s a little off topic now. Thanks so much for the info!

No problem, keep up the hard work, whoever you are!

Hi,Dave. Could you please take a look at my essay? I really appreciate your work!

It is often thought that living in a foreign nation where you are required to speak a different language will have negative effects both socially and practically. Personally, I agree with this opinion because this makes people have difficulty in handling daily tasks and integrating into the local community.

Firstly, language barriers can cause problems for people who live overseas in their everyday lives. If they were not able to speak the local language, they would find it hard to deal with daily routines ranging from paying bills, making reservation for health check to studying and working. This is because all these activities make demands on good communication with other people. In other words, you have to get across your ideas by using the foreign language. For those who cannot speak foreign languages well, they may suffer from this. For example, students may have poor academic performance because they could not understand the classes or lectures delivered in the foreign tongue and they might even end up dropping out of school.

Another issue is that people who want to settle in a foreign country will find it extremely hard to integrate into the local community. This is because all relationships are based on communication, which means that if these individuals cannot strike up a smooth and engaging conversation with others, they will be unlikely to build rapport with foreigners. As a result, the languages becomes a hindrance for them in making friends with local residents and they will not feel a sense of belonging without socializing with others. Instead of feeling warm and accepted, they will go through loneliness and isolation, which may take a toll on their mental health and even leads to depression. 

In conclusion, I strongly agree that studying or working in a foreign country can cause both social and practical problems. Therefore, it is necessary to think twice before going abroad. 

Thanks for commenting!

And great work on the essay, Alice!

Great main ideas – and well developed as well.

Careful with your modal verbs – keep your claims weak and defensible!

Hi, I think it’s cool you are giving feedback and stuff. Would you mind to look at my answer too? One of the frustrating things of living in a foreign country is language barrier. I totally agree with the given idea that living in a country where you struggle with the language barrier may result in some problems such as communicating with people or expressing yourself and other practical problems. To begin with, it is quite a challenge to make a conversation with people and share your opinion during your time in a different country when you can’t speak fluently its language. As an effect, it may make it difficult to build a friendship. For instance, seven out of ten children whose family suddenly moved to an another country can’t easily make a new friend since they can’t speak any language other than their mother language. Consequently, they begin to build low self-esteem and grow up to be someone unsocial. Aristotle, the legendary Greek philosopher, said “Man is by nature a social animal.” So being unable to communicate properly with others is like forcing a fish to live on land. Another point to consider is that incapability of reading in a foreign language, especially with Asian characters, is time and money consuming. To illustrate, here is an example of my distant relative who lived in China for a short period of time due to his work. As he can’t speak nor read in Chinese, he couldn’t find the right train to his destination. Therefore, he got lost and was late for his meeting. After that, in a Chinese restaurant, he ordered cuisine that he was not quite fond of and pretty much expensive. So he ended up spending a lot of money on that day. In general, to live or to travel, whatever the reasons might be, going to a country without acquiring the language indeed result in severe social and practical difficulties.

Sure, Mino!

Try to write shorter topic sentence and make your writing a little more formal – no contractions and fewer quotes!

Hi! It would be highly appreciated if you could check my essay too. Thank you in advance.

There is a widely held belief among people living in another country can be problematic due to language differences. In other words, when people have to speak the language of a foreign country which are living in it, they can be led to various problems referring to society and daily routines. I fully agree with the statement due to several reasons arising from cultural and lingual aspects of the specific country such as struggling with culture shock (social problems) and career fulfillment (practical problems) which are going to be fully explained in this essay.         It is clearly obvious that the most vital issue that a non-native person should cope with is culture shock. It is defined as a situation in which a person encounters a state of confusion in terms of communication. It causes a lack of adequate interaction with native people. As a result, the person might be face up to social isolation and eventually become homesick and frustrated. For instance, a friend of mine who has migrated to Denmark experienced the problem of not being able to get on well with the Danish people. So after a while, he came back to his origin country because he couldn’t tolerate such a situation.         Another potential difficulty refers to job opportunities and careers. It is crystal clear that a person can not utilize his/her full potential in a workplace unless he/she is capable of speaking fluently in order to convey the right message to his/her colleagues. To clarify, one of the most underlying reasons for everyone with regards to developing the career is to have the ability of an appropriate interaction at the workplace in order to be considered a reliable person. The fact is that people should improve their linguistic command not only to do their job tasks sufficiently but also to broaden job opportunities for themselves. The best example in this term is my aunt who found herself in such a condition. She had to change her job numerous times because of her lack of English command when she had just immigrated to the US.         To summarize, living in a country whose language is different from your mother tongue has been always fraught with a lot of challenges. The inability of establishing a cross-cultural relationship and losing job opportunities are two types of the most significant problems which should be solved in order to achieve what we deserve.

Good job, Kiarash!

Some really nice ideas though there are a lot of informal expressions and lack of academic style. Work on that!

Hi Dave, could you please take a look at my essay?(I really need you help)

Q= is the same question in the below

It is argued that being in a none-native country requires people to speak an unfamiliar language which causes social and practical challenges. This essay agrees with the statement below because it’s difficult for people to apply for a job, and also it would be difficult to make friends.

Firstly, people who immigrate to foreign lands for business purposes or study often face difficulties to find a job. The reason behind this is that local companies and businesses mostly hire native speakers, who don’t struggle with language barriers, so the employers don’t have to spend extra hours on training employees’ language. For example, Indian scientists look down on Spanish students speaking Indian poorly and coming to Indian to conduct a research project on scientific studies, as they cannot easily define scientific concepts for none native pupils, as they don’t speak the Indian language at an appropriate level.

Secondly, engaging with people in a foreign country is difficult skill for an immigrant to learn. The primary reason is because students or immigrated people lack the ability to interact with none native people because they didn’t overcome their language barriers and improve their language enough. Moreover, some people have acts of racism, and they don’t accept foreigners very easily especially when it coms to specific countries. An ample evidence could be American people who blame Hispanic immigrants’ accent and language, and therefore Spanish people are frequently encountered violent reactions by English speaking residents. Clearly these reasons cause difficulties for foreigners to form a friendship with local people.

In conclusion, based on the examples, conversing in an entirely unknown language will cause problems for those who live abroad, such as finding a job and developing a friendship with new people.

Nice job Ani! Your ideas are good and you develop them really well!

There are a lot of little mistakes with grammar and vocabulary, though.

Please, kindly, take a look at my answer, too. Thanks in advance.

Living abroad and having to speak and communicate in a language other than your own can be tremendously beneficial in one’s life journey and self-growth. I strongly disagree that such an experience can be problematic.   Having a chance to live in a foreign country can open many doors to one’s personal life journey. First, it provides the realization that how much variety is there on this planet, various cultures, customs, foods, and cuisines. Second, exposing to a completely new language and culture provides a more dynamic, flexible, and adaptive life perspective. One of my closest friends who had to live and work in South Korea for two years explains it as a breakthrough in her life, and a very precious experience that helped her become more accepting and grateful for everything life reveals to her no matter where she lives, what language she has to communicate through, and what circumstances are. However, living in a foreign country and communicating in a totally new language can be quite challenging, and lead to misunderstanding sometimes but the fact is that this whole experience can be dramatically different depending on the personality and the motivations why one is undertaking such an experience. A friend of mine who is Irish didn’t know even a tiny word in my first language, Farsi, and completely unknown to Iranian culture and customs, however, could survive and even now explains it as a thought-provoking experience. He says he wishes he had known about the Iranian culture beforehand but the leading factor that worked for him was his ability to adapt to the new environment and his flexibility to accept the new rules and norms. Thus, this experience can vary according to one’s personality and purpose. To sum up, I personally believe that living in a foreign country and having to speak in a foreign language can be quite life-changing but not dramatically problematic depending on one’s personality.

Good try Gh!

Nice examples though be careful with using too many personal examples. Technically, they should not hurt your score but some examiners may be strict on them…

Hi Dave. when we want to specify the main topic of this question as you taught us, we should consider it as “foreign language and language barrier” or “living in another country”. I ask this question because I feel confused.

This one is about the language barrier so it should be focused on that. It highlights for you the part of living in a foreign country that you should focus on.

Is that clearer, Razieh?

Please I need your valuable feedback which will help me lots to improve my writing too. Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social and practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?  

When anyone has to talk in another language but he does not know so this situation may create severe social and practical troubles. As a rule, language is used as a medium to communicate with people, if they are not well in the use of this specific tool as per the country, it can be turned into the worst situation. I am in favor of this statement and I will highlight some important points in favor of my agreement.

There are two key points that need to be understood accurately. First of all, in English, there are many words that are the same in sound but in spelling, they are different as well as meanings that are different too, such as see and sea, two or too, same, and shame. I will explain that if a person does not know the right pronunciation of same and shame and he says to his boss or customer that “you shame as like my brother” instead of “you are same as like my brother” so this situation can create a worse condition.

2nd reason, in many languages the same words has a different meaning and social value. To illustrate, In England, the rubber word is used for the eraser which can remove the pencil writing but in America, the word rubber is used for the popular contraceptive. For example, there is a man in the office in America, he is not aware of the actual meaning of rubber and if he asked rubber from a female colleague so this situation can make him embarrassed and even he could be in an investigation.

In Conclusion, language can be creating a social and practical problem if people do not know the appropriate word or accent of any specific society. It is really very significant to learn the language of the country where the person needs to go for any reason.

Can you please have a look at my essay and give me a score? Kind Regards.

Some people believe that in order to fully integrate in a country abroad, they need to learn the local language otherwise they will find themselves facing social and practical problems. In my opinion, people who do not familiarize themselves with the native language, experience a certain amount of difficulty when dealing with the residents on different levels. 

Firstly, language barrier makes people feel ignored and isolated. This is because it easier to communicate with someone who understands and can speak a language rather than someone who can hardly utter a few words. For example, many foreign students find themselves unable to make friends with the locals because they cannot master the language. Some may even feel that they are laughed at when trying to have a conversation in a foreign language. At times, this can have a very detrimental effect on the mental health of the students. They may even get suicidal thoughts, especially because they are already undergoing a lot of pressure of being away from home and coping with their studies.

Secondly, interacting with the locals may prove to be very challenging.  The reason being that if someone is unable to read or understand a foreign language, he or she might be conned by local merchants. For example, someone who has no knowledge of the Chinese language may be easily tricked into paying for something twice or thrice the actual amount. Tourists often find themselves victims of such incidents. 

To conclude, I firmly believe that unless foreigners can speak the language of the country they live in, it is very probable that they will face some types of difficulty. Whether it be on a social basis or in the practical world. Hence, it is important to learn the language to be able to interact with the natives.  

Great explanation ..

Thank you, Ginimol!

Well, National language isn’t really a big problem in China, most of the people can speak Mandarin,expect for some senior citizens residing in provincial areas. But what’s really urgent is that village tones are dying out: In where a I live, lots of My generation(incluing myself) living in city can’t speak in the local accent which is quite different from Mandarin and have some invaluble folklores and adages, we can still understand it though.But think about the next few generations whose lives will be completely devoid of their local dialect, then a language now used by millions of people will vanish into thin air.

That’s really interesting – thanks for sharing!

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12 Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language

In today’s hyper-connected, fast-paced world, there are  many reasons to learn another language.

Perhaps you’re one of the lucky ones who grew up speaking two languages as a native bilingual. If so, you have some unique advantages compared to the rest of us.

However, if you’re looking to become bilingual, you’ve got good things going for you too.

Below are 12 awesome side effects of becoming bilingual — or multilingual !

Why Learn a Second Language?

1. you can talk with more people., 2. it’s a major advantage in the workforce., 3. traveling is easier and more fulfilling., 4. you gain cultural knowledge and perspective., 5. you have access to more information and entertainment., 6. it improves your communication skills., 7. it makes other languages easier too., 8. you can help more people., 9. it improves a ton of cognitive functions., 10. it delays the effects of aging., 11. it boosts your creativity., 12. your self-confidence will soar., which language should i learn, how do i get started.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

What’s the fastest way to make 1.2 billion friends?

Learn Chinese !

But seriously—learning another language gives you uncountable opportunities to meet and connect with others due to the simple fact that you can talk to more people.

Of course, learning another language allows you to meet people who already speak that language, too.  For one, you can connect with fellow language learners .  Another way is to find a language exchange partner .

Or chat with your taxi driver. Make small talk with the store clerk. Get to know the man who sits next to you on a long bus ride.

These people might have the potential to become your new business partner, best friend or soul mate. That’s pretty thrilling!

You don’t even need to be fluent to get started.

When I traveled around Myanmar, I spent a couple weeks in a city called Yangon. I only knew the basics of the Burmese language, but I was determined to practice those few phrases at every opportunity.

One street vendor was so taken with my efforts that he spent 30 minutes trying to communicate with me about his family, work and life philosophy. Not only did I leave that conversation with new language skills, but also with a free bag of food and a hug!

But the conversations are just the beginning.

Communicating in someone’s native language  also shows respect, and it allows you to connect on a deeper level. You might be surprised how open people are when you speak their mother tongue.

Adding a second (or third, or fourth) language to your CV gives you an unparalleled advantage in today’s global economy.

More and more employers are looking for people who speak multiple languages . This is especially true for fields like customer service, hospitality, health care, information technology and administrative work.

Multilingual people can communicate and interact with diverse communities. This is a valuable asset in an employee’s skill set.

You definitely up your professional value if you can negotiate with manufacturers in another country or communicate with customers who don’t speak your native language.

Plus, fluency in a foreign language opens up opportunities abroad which simply are not available to monolingual job hunters.

Your ability to speak another language also conveys that you’re motivated and driven to learn new skills.

It’s possible that you could be compensated for maintaining your language skills through foreign proficiency bonus pay, too—take the US military for example.

Which language is best? Try learning Spanish, Arabic or Mandarin Chinese to give yourself an edge !

Traveling—whether for business, vacation or visiting family or friends—is much easier if you speak the language of your destination:

• Restaurants. Most non-speaking travelers resort to the “point and hope” method of ordering food. But when you know the local language, you can order specific foods you know you like or want to try. 
• Transportation. If you’re in a big city, you might hear some English translations. But the farther away you get from the capital, the less likely you are to hear any familiar words. Where you are, where you’re going and how you get there is all going to be communicated in the country’s native language.
• Signs.  If every sign you see is just random squiggles, there are bound to be problems. Where’s the bathroom? Which way is the subway? What’s the name of this road? Which side of the road should I be driving on? Signs are everywhere, and they’re often important.
• Avoid miscommunication.  Most visitors who don’t speak the language struggle to communicate even the simplest things to locals. Suddenly, trying to buy a shirt or deposit money at the bank becomes lost in translation.

Language helps you understand the world.

Learning another language isn’t just about words and grammar. Knowledge of the society and culture behind that language is necessary to achieve any degree of fluency.  The history and  culture  of a people are reflected in the language,  and vice versa.

It’s important to remember that languages aren’t simply different sets of words to express the same ideas—they’re entirely different outlooks on the world.

Linguistic relativity  is the concept that  language dramatically shapes the way we think about, perceive and interact with the world around us.  Most people who speak multiple languages will tell you there’s a profound spiritual and emotional element to it.

Allow this to open you up to the world, broaden your horizons and bring you closer to people of all races and nationalities.

You may develop a deep appreciation for another culture, fall in love with a native speaker or become unlikely friends with someone totally different from you.

Perhaps the most fun perk to learning another language is consuming native media .

You’ll have access to a whole new selection of music, movies, TV shows, books, news programs, podcasts, websites and more.

Of course, it takes time and effort to reach a level where this is comfortable. But there’s plenty of multilingual content to get you started!

For example, people who speak Spanish and English can understand every word of the songs of Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Pitbull and other internationally-successful Latin pop stars.

Japanese and English speakers hold claim to some mind-blowing “Kill Bill” scenes and the cultural miscommunication in “Lost in Translation.”

It may take a while, but try not to get frustrated on your path to understanding— consistency is key.

One day you’ll be reading or listening to something in your target language and suddenly realize that you understood it with no extra effort at all.

Of course, learning a second language improves your listening and speaking skills.

You’ll learn to listen more effectively and to be as clear as possible when you’re talking. The ability to clarify intended meanings will benefit you in any situation and any tongue.

You’ll likely gain reading and writing skills as well. You’ll think more carefully about the words you use and the meaning you’re expressing in your non-native language.

In fact, your acquired language literally helps you think more logically, process information and speak more evenly .

Learning another language will also make you more adept at piecing together information and interpreting context, whether it’s an unclear situation or cross-cultural communication.

The ability to look at things from various angles and understand someone else’s perspective means you’ll be able to communicate more respectfully and more effectively in any language.

Learning your first language happens naturally through observation, so many people don’t explicitly know the underlying rules or logic of it.

To learn a second language, though, you pretty much have to learn the rules .

Many people who learn another language discover that they also gain unanticipated benefits in their first language, like becoming more conscious of and knowledgeable about their native grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

If you learn another Indo-European language (such as French ) as a native English speaker, you’ll likely discover significant amounts of borrowed vocabulary, which will help you better understand how English became English .

What’s more, the acquisition techniques you use to learn your second language can be applied to subsequent languages too.

Learning a language trains your brain to analyze and process various linguistic structures. Your brain learns to identify language-learning techniques and break them into steps—and will do the same with other foreign languages!

So, studying your second language increases your ability to replicate this “metalinguistic awareness” process later. Your brain’s increased knowledge of syntax, grammar and sentence structure will give you a head start on learning your third language.

Studying a foreign language doesn’t have to be all about you!

Perhaps it’s obvious, but speaking another language allows you to help more people.

For example, if you’re a certified teacher with multilingual abilities, consider using your unique language skills to teach others. You could help out refugees in your home country, tutor students while living abroad or simply teach your friends and family the language(s) you speak.

If you can’t or don’t want to teach, there’s volunteer programs around the world where multilingual speakers are a particularly valuable asset to the team. Medical assistance programs, educational consultancies and cultural events are good places to find volunteer opportunities.

Being the bridge of communication between cultures is a great feeling, and the joy you’ll get from helping someone in need will make all the hard work of learning the language worth it.

Learning another language makes you smarter—and not just because you’ll know more words and grammar structures.

Acquiring a second language improves memory, increases attention span and strengthens problem-solving abilities.

Check out this video by the British Broadcasting Corporation that breaks down the advantages of learning new languages.

In fact, studies have shown that multilingual people:

• are more logical
• use more of their brains
• have better working memories
• can switch between tasks more quickly
• have greater self-control
• are more focused
• make better financial decisions

All of these executive function benefits are likely the result of the bilingual brain’s constant need to choose the correct language and words to speak at any given moment, as well as its ability to detect which language it’s hearing.

Of course, the younger you are when you begin learning a second language, the easier it will be and the quicker you’ll see the effects. And for children especially, learning another language can help build social, cognitive and emotional intelligence,  as well as lead to higher standardized test scores .

Learning a foreign language may also teach children to be more culturally accepting—just as it helps adults broaden their perspective and cultural knowledge.

Further, not only do these advantages make it easier to learn more languages, as mentioned above, they make it easier to learn anything .

It’s thought that all this is because learning languages helps your brain exercise, sort of like how bodybuilders grow and tone their muscles . And who wouldn’t love to be strong?

If picking up a language as an adult looks good, doing it as a senior is even more impressive!

Having multiple languages under your belt as you age can also have major advantages.

In particular, research has shown that knowing more than one language can potentially reduce the risk of dementia and delay Alzheimer’s Disease.

Regardless of education level, gender or occupation, multilingual subjects in this study experienced the onset of Alzheimer’s about four and a half years later than monolingual subjects.

Study results also show that speaking more than one language increases the amount of neural pathways in the brain.

This allows information to be processed through a greater variety of channels and can keep your brain sharp as you age.

Anyone learning a language has experienced moments of serious linguistic problem solving.

You know what you want to say, but not in the language you’re currently speaking. You can’t move forward without the word, so you have to get creative.

Using your second language requires you to learn how to give clues, context, explanations and/or gestures to get your point across. It improves your skills in divergent thinking—the ability to identify multiple solutions to a single problem.

Because, on top of your limited language and mental roadblocks, you usually need to consider different linguistic and cultural nuances too.

All of this helps you think outside the box.

As a matter of fact, researchers are also concluding that multilingual speakers are more creative than monolingual speakers. This is likely because learning a foreign language gives you leeway to experiment with new words and phrases.

So, every time you stumble over those words and phrases, remember that you’re actually training your brain and developing skills that benefit every aspect of your life.

Confidence increases as you learn a new skill—like speaking a foreign language!

Some of this may come from learning something you enjoy, but language instruction also relies heavily on social interaction. Conversations with native speakers are essential to mastering your target language.

At first, speaking can definitely cause some anxiety . But don’t be afraid to let your conversation partners know that you want to practice. It’s a great way to break the ice and start making new friends.

Because English is such a global language, native English speakers who make the effort to learn a foreign tongue are often received with gratitude and curiosity. You might be surprised how many people will want to help you practice!

And remember that practice itself can be a confidence builder.

As you learn and get better at the language, you’ll find that you have increased self-awareness and more confidence wielding your second language… which can also make you more attractive to others!

Truly, people will respect the fact that you’re learning another language. Native speakers will be impressed with your dedication, friends and family will be proud of your motivation and strangers will be interested in your story.

So get learning and build up that confidence!

While there’s advantages for learning any language, some are inevitably more useful than others .

You can check out this post for a more detailed guide to answering this question, but if you’re really not sure where to start, check out the benefits of the languages below to see if any strike your fancy:

• Spanish : As one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world, Spanish comes with plenty of benefits.
• French : Learning French has many pros—like becoming fluent in the language of romance.
• German : If you’re interested in central Europe at all, German is a great way to get familiar with the area and culture.
• Japanese : Learning Japanese is likely an opportunity to discover a completely different culture and way of thinking.

Gone are the days when the only way to learn a second language was becoming stranded in a foreign country or going back to high school language classes.

These days, there are many ways to learn online to become proficient in the language of your choice.

For example, maybe you plan to study on your own . Set yourself up for success by setting goals, being consistent and making sure you get lots of language input.

Depending on the language you choose, you may need to learn a new alphabet system . You’ll definitely need to learn a lot of vocab .

Just because you have to learn grammar doesn’t mean you can’t have fun though! You can absolutely make your studying as enjoyable as possible — try watching movies , for example!

If you don’t feel ready to watch full-length movies in your target language, don’t worry. Try shorter ones first, like Disney movies dubbed in your preferred language.

You can also prepare with FluentU.

FluentU takes real-world videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons .

With FluentU, you hear languages in real-world contexts —the way that native speakers actually use them. Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of FluentU videos on offer:

FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. It’s already hand-picked the best videos for you and organized them by level and topic. All you have to do is choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started!

Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab.

You can use FluentU’s unique adaptive quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions and exercises. Just swipe left or right to see more examples of the word you're studying.

The program even keeps track of what you’re learning and tells you exactly when it’s time for review, giving you a 100% personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Obviously, there’s many benefits of learning a second language. So no matter which tools you use to learn it, you won’t regret doing it!

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Benefits of Knowing a Foreign Language

There are numerous advantages of learning a foreign language. Essay sample is focused on social, health, and other foreign language benefits, as well as reasons to learn another language.

Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language Essay Introduction

Benefits of learning a second language essay body, benefits of learning foreign language essay conclusion, works cited.

Why are foreign languages in demand and popularity? Not everyone probably thinks about it until they face a particular situation. Let us consider several reasons for bilingualism, such as advantages in career, travel, unlimited communication, cultural content, and the fact that knowing at least one foreign language makes the person smarter.

The first cause of foreign language usefulness is professional opportunities. You need to know a foreign language to increase your employability, work in a prestigious fast-growing company, and get the appropriate payment. It also applies to study and internships in foreign countries because plenty of companies are trying to learn from the experience of their foreign colleagues. In the case you know the foreign language, you can help in the translation of texts, preparation of documents, or during negotiations with foreign partners. Besides, you can learn some interesting and helpful information by reading foreign professional literature.

The second reason concerns traveling. Knowing the foreign language, you will be happy to listen to guided tours in original, chat with people with great ease and pleasure, and, who knows, maybe the foreign language you can speak will save the life of someone. Traveling around the world, you can always find your way, talk to the locals, learn about their lives and culture, and perhaps, receive a useful lesson (“Ten Amazing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Foreign Language,” par. 8). In other words, knowing the foreign language allows penetrating the traditions of the other culture.

The third reason in favor of knowledge of a foreign language is communication. Usually, to learn a foreign language well enough, it is necessary to plunge into the environment of living in that particular culture. In turn, such a dive does not pass entirely but forms certain personal qualities. For example, some studies have shown that people, who know more than one language, expand their horizons and are more likely to empathize taking the first steps in communication. Communication in a foreign language with native speakers will significantly strengthen your communication skills and develop life-long friendships (“Ten Amazing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Foreign Language,” par. 14).

Moreover, a foreign language helps you to enrich yourself culturally by watching movies in their original, listening to the voice and intonations of actors, and avoiding translators. You can listen to your favorite songs of foreign singers and understand their meaning with great pleasure. Despite the considerable amount of translated literature, the knowledge of a foreign language opens the door to the world of original literature. It is also essential to point out that by learning a foreign language, you can improve your native language as well. When people start to talk in a foreign language, which has its grammar, logic, and exceptions, they choose words and phrases in the native language to translate, which helps to increase the speech culture and vocabulary of the native language.

Besides, if you are interested in the events taking place in the world, the knowledge of the foreign language would be your advantage. You can easily understand the news as many world newspapers and Internet posts are published in a foreign language. Consequently, you will be able to understand the meaning of the above, taking into account all the details. It is much more objective than hearing a translation, where a lot can be unsaid or translated inappropriately. Thus, knowledge of a foreign language provides access to information, while it is commonly considered that he who owns the information – owns the world.

Finally, the last but not the least reason is probably, the most important. Knowledge of a foreign language expands consciousness. According to Merritt, “speaking a foreign language improves the functionality of your brain by challenging it to recognize, negotiate meaning, and communicate in different language systems” (par. 3). Your mind will be reconstructed to understand completely new concepts. In this sense, learning foreign languages is highly efficient due to switching codes. Switching from one language to another is a challenging job for the brain that is undoubtedly useful. Several studies have shown that among patients with dementia, symptoms began four years later in people who know two languages than in people who know one language (Merritt par. 6). In other words, the brain of bilinguals was struck but continued to operate at a higher level for a longer time.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that people are blacksmiths of their happiness, and a lot in life depends on them. Knowledge of foreign languages gives people plenty of advantages. It is the opportunity to travel around the world without an interpreter, to read foreign literature, to watch foreign films in the original, and to have friends from different countries. If you are willing to change something in your life for the better, then learn a foreign language, and maybe somewhere, there is a pleasant surprise waiting for you, such as an exciting journey or attractive employment.

Merritt, Anne. “ Why Learn a Foreign Language? Benefits of Bilingualism. ” The Telegraph . Telegraph Media Group, 2013.

“Ten Amazing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Foreign Language.” Lingholic . n.p., 2014.

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Linguistics Essay Topics & Examples

What is linguistics? It is a science that concerns structure and changes in human languages. There are several branches of linguistics: phonology and phonetics, morphology and syntax, pragmatics and semantics. Thus, linguists examine the meaning, critical discourse, and lots of other features.

With this diversity within one discipline, it can be pretty tricky to choose a topic for your linguistics essay. Of course, you should write about a specific research question. You can describe historical perspectives or reflect and share your opinion on the issue that you have picked. But where exactly should you start?

That’s why you ended up on this page: you need to figure out how to write an essay about linguistics. Our team has prepared helpful tips so that you can understand the structure and design of such an academic paper. We’ve also collected linguistics essay topics that you can use.

20 Unique Linguistics Essay Topics

As you might have guessed, your linguistics essay should be based on a good idea. The topic should limit the area that you will look at and analyze in your paper. Or it can indicate the intersections between the subdivisions you will study. In this section, we will help you deal with this problem.

You can use the following topics to write your own language and linguistics essay:

• Verbal linguistic learning style techniques and their efficiency.
• Gender-specific job title in the English language.
• English as a global language for tourists and professionals.
• The reasons why some languages are easier to learn.
• Noam Chomsky’s theory of universal grammar.
• Grammar in American and British sign languages.
• Passive voice misuse in modern linguistics.
• The history of sign language.
• The role of semantics in linguistics and language learning.
• How translation distorts the initial meaning.
• The main linguistic features of the English language.
• The typical features of formal English.
• Machine learning as a part of applied linguistics.
• The benefits of learning foreign languages.
• The evolution of linguistics as a science.
• Corpus linguistics in teaching languages.
• The analysis of Greek history through linguistics.
• A case study of modern slang.
• Long-term and short-term memory as explored by psycholinguists.
• The metaphor theory in cognitive linguistics.

Tips on Writing a Perfect Linguistics Essay

Here, you’ll see our recommendations for composing an essay about linguistics. There are some things you should keep in mind before and while writing your paper:

1. Plan your paper ahead. Decide what your arguments and position are. What should your research involve? Think about the audience of your paper to define your word choice. Search for some credible sources, such as articles about language that support your arguments. Outline your essay, paying close attention to your thesis statement .

2. Remember to be clear. There should be no surprises. State what your conclusion is about in the introduction. The first and the last paragraphs should be connected. Introduce your message as a whole in the thesis statement. Also, always define if you discuss someone else’s viewpoint or your thoughts.

3. Incorporate examples. Explain why you include the supporting evidence before introducing them. Don’t make your readers doubt their relevance. Define if you are citing another author or your own example. In the text, use italics and quotation marks if you need them.

4. Cite and reference. First of all, it is necessary to avoid plagiarism in your work. Secondly, references help to highlight the importance and credibility of your arguments. You can use linguistic articles in English or any other language. Just make sure that you follow the requirements of your institution. There is no exact number of references that you need to use while writing an essay about linguistics. Let’s say that you need more than one or two to make your argument look solid.

5. Work on your wording. Don’t make any firm judgments about your own or other authors’ work in this type of academic writing. Try not to use such words as “obviously” or “absurd.” Incorporate phrases like “clearly” and “without a doubt” carefully. The scientific questions you introduce should appear testable and empirical.

We hope our tips and topics were useful to you. Some good linguistics essay examples can also help you write a perfect paper – you can find them below.

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Ielts essay # 1296 - potential benefits of foreign language study, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, in some educational systems, children are required to study one or more foreign languages. in others, foreign language study is not a requirement., what are the potential benefits of foreign language study do you think foreign language study is an important part of education.

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Everything begins with an idea!

Language Essay Topics

Language is an integral part of a man’s life. It’s the tool of communication in every society. Our cultural and ethnic differences have a direct impact on our native languages. While English is the most used and preferred language all over the globe, there are lots of other languages.

Language is not all our bilingual dialects. Language can as well be in the form of a directive, expression, and informative. All these forms of language are fundamental in making different conversations a success.

Students within all academic levels will get essay assignments to work on language essays. As it’s a norm, every student is supposed to be practical and realistic in the way they present their essays. The initial sign of a failed essay is the lack of punchy content and poor integration of the requested instructions.

Your essay writing will be much easier and fun, thanks to the many attention-grabbing language essay topics offered at TopicsBase. The outstanding range of content-packed and punchy topics offered by TopicsBase are unique and up-to-date. With these essay titles, you can provide your professor with the most updated events and issues. Make sure you have selected a good and interesting language essay topic here.

• Should the animal language be included among other languages?
• Language proficiency is an essential requirement when applying for permanent residence in the United States
• The role the advanced technology plays in the learning of different languages
• How is the Iranian English language, and what can be improved?
• How globalization has affected the English language?
• How widely is the English language used in different parts of the world?
• The purpose of language dating back to the Stone Age
• The different aspects that make the English language
• Effective language acquisitions and development
• How the English language came to be?
• English is the best second language to learn
• English is the global language used in almost all countries
• The relationship between and literature
• English as a communication tool in learning centers throughout the world
• Evolution and growth of the English language
• The process of language learning in children
• Are there benefits to speaking in a foreign language?
• The most effective ways to learn a foreign language
• The challenges and problems linked to learning a second language
• The sign and visual language
• The benefits of learning sign and visual language
• The need to learn English as the second language
• How culture affects second language acquisition?
• How metaphors control human minds?
• How social networks and text messages have ruined modern languages?
• How have languages changed in the last decade?
• The simple way to understand each other when communicating in different languages
• Laziness is the leading cause of jargon in the modern language
• The need to introduce a phonetic language system to simplify the way students communicate and learn second languages
• The use of foreign language to declare love or tell jokes is funnier and easier
• Google translation system does impact the quality of language translation
• Language translation is a simple way to improve communication between people using different languages

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Three Oles published in foreign language research journal

The essays of Jodie Clay ’23, Emily Cerimele ’23, and Addie Rossinow ’25 have been published in the latest edition of the peer-reviewed Kennesaw Tower , a journal of undergraduate foreign language research.  

All three Oles have taken part in St. Olaf’s Chinese language program, where they had the opportunity to explore relevant cultural phenomena and issues as a part of the language learning process. This approach is central to all world language programs at St. Olaf, where language acquisition is paired with learning about the culture relevant to the language being studied. 

“Our curriculum not only focuses on language proficiency but also supports students in rich global and cultural understanding. The college’s dedication to produce culturally competent and global explorers encourages students to pursue interdisciplinary pathways and develop deep understanding of the world through diverse cultural lenses.”  Associate Professor of Asian Studies Ying Zhou

“St. Olaf College, with its commitment to liberal arts education, provides an ideal platform for our students to cultivate critical thinking skills and global awareness,” says Associate Professor of Asian Studies, Department Chair of Asian Studies, and Chinese Section Head Ying Zhou. “Our curriculum not only focuses on language proficiency but also supports students in rich global and cultural understanding. The college’s dedication to produce culturally competent and global explorers encourages students to pursue interdisciplinary pathways and develop deep understanding of the world through diverse cultural lenses.” 

While attending St. Olaf, Clay took the class Chinese 351: Chinese Language and Society through the Media , where she wrote her now-published essay “日本广告和美国广告的天壤之别 (Distinguishing Features: Japanese Advertising versus American Advertising).” In her writing, she emphasizes how advertising is influenced by cultural context, noting that Japanese advertising relies heavily on the usage of familiar symbols that appeal to society as a whole, while American advertising tends to lean on rhetorics of logic to appeal to the individual.  

This is not the first time that Clay’s writing has received recognition beyond the Hill . Her essay  “数一数二的鼎泰丰 (Ding Tai Feng – The World Renowned Restaurant)” was published in the 2022 issue of the JUHE supplement 居荷副刊, a well-known magazine of undergraduate writing in Chinese as a foreign language to promote language learning. She credits the support she received from professors in the Asian Studies Department for her continued success. 

“Their feedback, availability, and advice during office hours, and the opportunities they have given me not only helped me grow more into the field of Asian Studies and Chinese but also helped me find my passions within the field,” says Clay, who studied Chinese and computer science at St. Olaf. She is now a technology development program associate with Optum, a health services innovation company that is a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group. 

Cerimele, who studied Chinese and psychology at St. Olaf, was also able to explore her own interests through the Chinese language program. In the course Chinese 320: Chinese Education and Society , Cerimele was asked to write an essay focusing on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as it applies to education. She wrote the now-published essay titled 

“中国有身心障碍的孩子的教育概观：权利与问题、研究现状以及改善现状的建议 (An Overview of Education for Children with Disabilities in China: Rights and Issues, Current Research, and Recommendations for Improvement)” that outlines the findings of existing research regarding education for the marginalized, disabled youth in China.  

“Expanding resources and opportunities for people with disabilities is something that I am very passionate about,” Cerimele says. “I knew that people with disabilities in China face immense barriers in getting the support they need, so I took the opportunity to dive deeper into this issue in the context of education.”

As she prepared to finish St. Olaf, Cerimele didn’t expect to have her Chinese writing published. “Having my writing accepted was incredibly validating and made me see that my hard work was paying off,” says Cerimele, who currently works as a marketing associate with Balmoral Advisors, an investment banking firm. 

Rossinow took Chinese 351 alongside Clay and wrote an essay titled “中国如何降低温室气体排放量？Strategies for Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions in China,” which connects to her deeper interests beyond Chinese language learning. As a current student at St. Olaf, Rossinow is majoring in Asian studies, biology, Chinese, and Norwegian — and she connects these topics via the global issue of climate change. 

“We have the freedom to learn about subjects that align with our other academic interests, mine being natural sciences,” says Rossinow. “When I learned that my essay had been accepted, I was excited and very proud of myself because this was probably my best piece of writing in Chinese.” 

Clay, Cerimele, and Rossinow each note that they were driven to apply for publication in the Kennesaw Journal because of the encouragement and support they received from their professors. 

“St. Olaf’s emphasis on mentorship ensures students to forge close relationships with faculty, who actively support and mentor students in various ways,” says Zhou. “The Chinese faculty members closely collaborate with our students, offering writing guidance, constructive feedback, and ongoing assistance throughout the revision and publication process.”

The Zimmerman Telegraph: a Catalyst for American Entry into World War i

This essay is about the Zimmerman Telegraph and its significant impact on World War I. It explains how the telegraph, sent by German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman proposing a military alliance with Mexico against the United States, was intercepted and decrypted by British intelligence. The exposure of the telegraph shifted American public opinion and influenced the U.S. decision to enter the war. The essay highlights the strategic use of intelligence, the shift in U.S. foreign policy from isolationism to engagement, and the implications for U.S.-Mexico relations. It also discusses the broader impact of the incident on international diplomacy and the importance of intelligence operations in modern warfare.

How it works

The Zimmerman Telegraph signifies a pivotal moment in the history of World War I, delineating a notable turning point that impacted the decision of the United States to engage in the conflict. This enigmatic communication, dispatched by German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman in January 1917, was directed to the German envoy in Mexico. The contents of the telegraph posited a military pact between Germany and Mexico, contingent upon the United States aligning with the Allies against Germany. In exchange, Mexico would be assured the territories of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Nevertheless, the telegraph was intercepted and decoded by British intelligence, resulting in its exposure and ultimately influencing public opinion in the United States.

Upon intercepting the Zimmerman Telegraph, British intelligence confronted a delicate predicament. They needed to persuade the American government of the authenticity of the message without divulging the full extent of their intelligence capabilities. The British astutely conveyed the decoded message to the U.S. via diplomatic channels, framing it as an opportunity to unearth German deceit. This maneuver not only underscored the British commitment to their alliance but also furnished the Americans with incontrovertible evidence of Germany’s intentions.

Upon receipt of the Zimmerman Telegraph, President Woodrow Wilson and his administration exercised caution. Wilson had campaigned for re-election on the platform of preserving American neutrality in the conflict, echoing the prevalent isolationist sentiment among the American populace. However, the explicit nature of Germany’s overture to Mexico, coupled with the escalating tensions arising from unrestricted submarine warfare, rendered it increasingly arduous for Wilson to maintain a stance of impartiality.

The publication of the Zimmerman Telegraph in American newspapers in March 1917 constituted a masterstroke in swaying public opinion. The notion that Germany would incite Mexico to reclaim American territory was perceived as a direct menace to national security. This revelation fueled anti-German sentiment and galvanized support for entering the war. The telegraph served as a stark reminder of the potential global ramifications of the conflict and underscored the imperative for the United States to safeguard its sovereignty and exert influence on the world stage.

The impact of the Zimmerman Telegraph on American society was profound. It unified disparate factions of the populace that had hitherto been divided on the issue of war. Many Americans, erstwhile skeptical of the necessity of involvement in the European conflagration, now viewed it as a defensive imperative. The telegraph underscored the reality that the Atlantic Ocean was not an impregnable barrier and that threats from foreign powers could encroach upon American soil.

The Zimmerman Telegraph also carried significant ramifications for U.S.-Mexico relations. At the time, Mexico was enmeshed in its own internal tumult, with the Mexican Revolution engendering a convoluted political milieu. While the Mexican government, under the leadership of President Venustiano Carranza, did not seriously entertain Germany’s overtures, the telegraph underscored the volatility of the region and the susceptibility to external manipulation. This episode served as a poignant reminder of the geopolitical complexities of the Western Hemisphere and the imperative for stable and cooperative relations between neighboring nations.

In the broader context of World War I, the Zimmerman Telegraph’s interception and publication had a cascading effect on international diplomacy. It showcased the potency of intelligence and cryptography in contemporary warfare, demonstrating how information could be wielded to sway the course of events. The British adeptness in decrypting the telegraph and their judicious management of the intelligence underscored the significance of intelligence sharing among allies, setting a precedent for subsequent wartime collaboration.

The legacy of the Zimmerman Telegraph transcends its immediate impact on World War I. It serves as an early exemplar of how communication technologies and intelligence operations can shape global politics. The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities and interconnectedness of nations, accentuating the necessity for vigilance and strategic foresight in international relations. The telegraph also illustrated the role of public sentiment in influencing governmental policies, illustrating how information could be leveraged to muster support for consequential political and military decisions.

In conclusion, the Zimmerman Telegraph was not merely a diplomatic faux pas; it constituted a catalyst that propelled the United States into World War I. Its interception and subsequent publication played a pivotal role in altering American public opinion and rupturing the isolationist stance that had characterized the nation’s foreign policy. The telegraph’s repercussions on U.S.-Mexico relations, the utilization of intelligence in warfare, and the shaping of public sentiment underscore its enduring significance in the annals of history. The Zimmerman Telegraph remains a testament to the profound influence of communication and intelligence in the intricate tapestry of global diplomacy and conflict.

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The Zimmerman Telegraph: A Catalyst for American Entry into World War I. (2024, Jun 17). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/the-zimmerman-telegraph-a-catalyst-for-american-entry-into-world-war-i/

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PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Zimmerman Telegraph: A Catalyst for American Entry into World War I . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-zimmerman-telegraph-a-catalyst-for-american-entry-into-world-war-i/ [Accessed: 30 Jun. 2024]

"The Zimmerman Telegraph: A Catalyst for American Entry into World War I." PapersOwl.com, Jun 17, 2024. Accessed June 30, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/the-zimmerman-telegraph-a-catalyst-for-american-entry-into-world-war-i/

"The Zimmerman Telegraph: A Catalyst for American Entry into World War I," PapersOwl.com , 17-Jun-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-zimmerman-telegraph-a-catalyst-for-american-entry-into-world-war-i/. [Accessed: 30-Jun-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Zimmerman Telegraph: A Catalyst for American Entry into World War I . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-zimmerman-telegraph-a-catalyst-for-american-entry-into-world-war-i/ [Accessed: 30-Jun-2024]

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