Learning Foreign Languages in the Future

unknown person writing on chalkboard
Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on October 2, 2020 and last updated on February 4, 2023

Learning foreign languages, especially English, is extremely important in many countries around the world. English is widely considered the international business language and it is not uncommon to see a meeting with people of various nationalities converse in English even though English is not the first language of any of the attendees. As technology advances, some argue that the need to learn foreign languages like English will decrease, with people using alternative options to communicate.

Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.

Useful Vocabulary

Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary

  • foreign (adjective)
  • subject (noun)
  • alternative (noun)
  • converse (verb)
  • uncommon (adjective)
  • international (adjective)

Conversation Questions

  • Do you think learning foreign languages will be more or less important in the future?
  • Do you speak any foreign languages apart from English? If yes, which languages and why?
  • How important do you think it is to learn English in schools compared to other subjects like maths or science?
  • How do you think technology can help people now who don’t speak the same language?
  • How do you think technology can help people in the future who don’t speak the same language?
  • Do you think the need for learning foreign languages will be the same in the future as it is now?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.