While one might argue that the need to learn another language of recently has diminished with advent of new technologies and rapid communications via social media, the web, etc., I’d have to argue the contrary.

With social media and lightening fast internet connections comes the opportunity to interact with an individual across the world in instantly, with perfect audio and visual quality. While it’s easy being an American and just expecting everyone to “talk English”, the truth is that it’s more important to be able to communicate effectively in a couple of languages (at least). I learned Spanish after literally a decade in my youth and college years (shit I’m only 25!), but it has helped me tremendously in the working world, socially and it is just cool in my eyes to be able to go to rural Mexico and have a conversation with an 80 year old lady in a hut (and have her understand me).

Kaplan made a a cool infographic showing the importance of learning a new language, check it out!

Learn English with Kaplan