Arabic, Chinese are hot
Students are studying less traditional European languages and more exotic languages What languages are hot now? Chinese and Arabic. These languages are growing in popularity. French and Latin not as much. The reasons are obvious, Chinese and Arabic is a manifestation of the geo-economic-political-demographics shifts. Also its fun to be different. If everyone around you is learning Italian, and you learn Chinese, it makes you stand out from the crowd. But I think these new languages might, have more staying power than the old ‘new’ languages. I remember when in the early 90’s everyone was learning Japanese. This was the trend, but it did not take off as much because of cultural reasons. Japan is more of a closed culture than China. There ultimately there was no great advantage to learning Japanese in business, as you would always be seen as an outsider, and not accepted. While the Chinese businessmen do not care about such things, they are all about business. Chinese businessmen do not think about if they like you, nor if they do not like you. Chinese businessmen just want to do business. Arabic also is experiencing a long-term language growth. Arabic is closely connected to their religion, as I think their holy books should be read in Arabic. Further, speaking Arabic, even as a foreigner will give you respect. So I think that the new exotic trends in language have more staying power and momentum then the older ones like Japanese or French.
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June 29, 2007at 8:54 pm
tak!
i can agree with you. I can even teach anyone who needs to learn Arabc, However, I can only speak English and Arabic. i am on skype to have fun with teaching Arabic for free. Welcome.
September 4, 2007at 4:03 am
I can teach both English and Chinese.
December 16, 2007at 3:25 am
FOR ME I SAY TO EVERY WHO WANT TO LEARN ARABIC WELCOME ARABIC LGE IS NOT COMPLICATED AS MANY THINK IAM FROM ALGERIA AND IAM ENGLISH STUDENT SO TEACH ME ENGLISH I TEACH YOU ARABIC AND THIS IS A CHALENGE FOR EVERY ONE
April 16, 2008at 5:51 am
Hey!
Couldn’t agree more on this article. The economical shifts are heading towards those countries and definetly gives more substance to learning the language.
Frank, I’ll take you on the chinese lessons, i’m a super beginner.
Skype me: romifly1