Friday, September 3, 2010

Why Should You Learn Chinese?

June 12, 2009 by Ryan Edward  
Filed under Education Articles

If you are up on the world economy, then you will know that China is the fastest growing economy in the world. In fact, the Chinese language is becoming so commonly used in business, the demand for resources teaching the Chinese language has more than tripled in the last half decade.

Furthermore, if you check out the curriculum being offered in primary and secondary schools, you will see the Chinese language offered as a course. Looking up ahead in to the future, it is estimated that a command of the Chinese language will be ahead of the demand for Spanish. Half of Asia already speaks some form of Chinese, or incorporates styles of Chinese into their native language.

Why learn Chinese? Because today’s world almost insists on it. With our increasing love for the Chinese culture, like the martial arts, or media (Who can forget Jacki Chan), or even Chinese food… we are quickly merging cultures together today then we ever did in past.

Chinese philosophy has been influential in the West as well as the East and many find that this influence fosters an interest in learning the language in order to gain a better understanding of the original material. Traditional Chinese culture’s emphasis on balance and serenity is a very attractive idea to overscheduled, stressed out Westerners.

Our hectic lives lead us to seek refuge in the wisdom offered by other cultures, including that of China. Many have found the balance they sought in their lives through learning and understanding Chinese culture, including the language itself.

When you learn Chinese, you’ll benefit from a more profound understanding of Chinese culture including art and literature. This is a journey of personal enrichment which gives the student access to this cultural heritage and broadens their view of the world. As world cultures go, there is no disputing the influential place Chinese culture holds.

Why learn Chinese? Because you truly want to. You have the focus and goal to integrate the cultural know how for goals of your own. Perhaps for an upcoming trip to China, or a hobby, or maybe just for simple understanding of a new friend, whatever the reason behind the spark, know it will be more than beneficial for you to acquire this knowledge and skill.

And exhilarating to learn. There is a sense of accomplishment behind learning Chinese, even if it’s not for a job in china, or you cannot take a vacation there… having the richness of absorbing another’s culture into your world view is a step to a better and higher understanding of life itself.

You may learn Chinese in the interests of cultural enrichment. You might need to learn Chinese to keep ahead of the trends in business communication. Perhaps you’d like to learn Chinese to truly understand Chinese literature and philosophy. There is any number of reasons to learn Chinese, all of them offering many rewards.

So learn Chinese! Learn Chinese for travel. Learn Chinese to get ahead in your career. Learn Chinese because you’ve always wanted to learn the language. It’s a language with a rich history and deep ties to the culture of China; and when you learn Chinese, you’ll gain a new way of seeing the world – and really, you couldn’t ask for a better reason than that!

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