English abroad? Do we really need it?

[Gość: Tomik]

Hello to everyone!
Have a question, do we really need to learn English? Everybody tell us we
should learn English. If we do so, we could communicate with other nations.
Everything is fine, but there's a trap! I was couple of times in Western
Europe (Spain, France, Germany, Italy) and my knowledge of English was
useless. Almost everyone I met couldn't say a single word in English!! Even
then I was in France in a hotel (3 stars), a receptioinst (a young fellow)
could explain us how to park our car in an underground car-park. So maybe
it's an utopia we can communicate with other nations (at leat in Western
Europe) and enough for us to talk with others by our hands?
So, is it really worth to learn English?
Greetingz, Tomi.

[Gość: together]

Your bad experience in France and Spain I can understand.
These two are known for their disdain toward English language.
Germans generally have no problem communicating in English unless they don't
want to. Many years ago I've experinced it in former DDR. They were very worm
until they learned I was Polish. It felt like a bag of ice. The conversation
had ended in a middle of the sentence.

It is always worth to learn foreign language for your personal enrichment.

together

[Gość: tanix]

They have told you to get lost cause you`re Polish...ridiculous

[Gość: agulha]

1. Knowing English you can freely communicate - in UK of course, but also in
Scandinavian countries and quite well in Holland (for example).
2. Even in counries where nobody seems to speak any foreign language (Hungary,
my recent experience) people in Tourist Info (for example) know at least very
basic ENglish - it is better than nothing
3. You don't learn a foreign language only for fun and holidays. I earn as a
translator (my second job), I translate patent applications. 90% of them are in
English. Most of these come straight from the US, but even Swedish and Greek
ones are in English [God bless them...let's say this ENglish is not always that
good :-((]. The other 10% are in German or French. I don't think any patent
office will deal with a patent application written in a rare language. Even to
translate it, they need professionals (not just people knowing foreign
language) - such as engineers.
English is also the official language in the field of my primary work. I work
in a Polish branch of an Italian company, but all documentation must be written
in English. This means that nobody will be employed if he/she doesn't speak
English. It means we can communicate in English (by phone or mail) :-))

[Gość: tanix]

Now. In France it`s completly natural that French people don`t want to use
English. They believe that "francais" should be the international laguage. Even
if they know English, they don`t use it.

[Gość: m]

In the 17th, 18th, 18th century French was the international language becuase
of the power of France, but now it's replaced by English on account of the
economical, military etc. power of the USA. This is my opinion, what do you
think what caused English to be so popular?

[Gość: rand]

The cause is exactly what you've said : power of USA.
Additionally we can mention about fading tradition of British Commonwealth.

[ozpol]

You need English because it it one of most used langueges in world, but it is
handy to know another one to.
Second in France you can speak English (they understand it) but they will talk
to you in franch. It is game they play.

[Gość: Jacek]

For an educated person the knowledge of a second language is a necessity. It
also applies to people from English-speaking countries. There'll be always a
group of people in every country that cannot speak any foreign language. Though
English has became an international language, expecting from everyone to speak
English is a nonsense! Following your argumentation, travellers from the
Western Europe should be upset that the North Americans cannot speak their
languages. The French may also feel offended that whenever they ask for
something in French in NY they will never get a reply. Just like you in France
while asking in English...

In my profession: architect, being able to communicate in English allows me to
work on international projects in most parts of the world. It doesn't mean
however that I don't try to learn the language of the host country. Knowing
even few words can 'move the mountain'. My advise: next time before you'll
visit France - learn few words in French and use them later as much as
possible. It's quite easy if you already can speak English, much easier than
learning Polish. This will also demonstrate that as a person you're
intellectually mature and respectfull to other cultures and LANGUAGES. (this
many English-speaking people unfortunately do not demonstrate)
Cheers

[pl.adex]

I was in Paris in november last year and everywhere Iwent I spoke english and
people where friendly and answered me back.In Scandinavia majority of people
spoke good english I was in South America once and for instance in Uruguay
nobody seemed to speak and understand english but in Argentina it was
better,Brazil was the best for knowledge of english.In Asia in Singapore most
people understand english in Hongkong not.I speak German as well but found that
people preffer to speak in english than in German.English is the language of
internet if you do not speak it access to information is limited.Try to speak
italian in Sweden nobody will talk to you or spanish in Russia,at least you
have more chances of finding somebody with limited english than with other
languages.

wszystko OBVIOUS, po co ta discussion

[Gość: pupip]

Inglysz jest internacjonalny i tyle, who nie wants moze sie learnowac
esperanto. W idiotycznej rosji popularne.

[Gość: Natalka]

If jou will visit one day USA or Canada jou will learn how funny it is to
speak with people of every colour of the skin, every nation of the world. They
will understand jou very well and you will be understood by them just in
English. You don't need any other language. In Europe jou can always find
somebody who will speak better or worse English. At least jou have a chance
to communicate with somebody if you don't know native language.

[englishman]

It's the ONLY real WORLD language, so learn it now!