Why You Need a Foreign Language & How to Learn One

Chapter 7 (Excerpt)

Learn the Other Side’s Language--Even if they Do Speak Yours

At some point, every American who works in the international business arena asks the following question:

"I know that the overseas firm our company works with has appointed a representative who speaks English, so why should I bother to learn their language?"

The question is reasonable. Why not rely on this person's language skills?

Let's consider a typical international project scenario. Suppose that your company is working on a long-term project with a Korean firm. You have been given the responsibility of serving as the main contact to the Korean company. Over the next four to five years, you will be working extensively with the Korean partner, and you will be traveling to Korea on a bi-monthly basis.

It turns out that one of your counterparts, Mr. Kim, excelled in English during his school days, and has kept up with the language since graduation. When you talk to him on the phone, he particularly impresses you with his ability to understand everything you say, and his mastery of English vocabulary. He even throws in little bits of English slang, like "cool" and "sure thing"..........

(End of Chapter Excerpt)

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