If an English speaker is educated, which second language would he know?

E

Eric D

New member
In other words, would an English speaker know French or Spanish as a second language? And explain why. I look at Tony blair and he learned French. He is an English speaker.
 
I think it depends on what part of the world the person is from; their family influences; and their interests.

If a person lives or visits Mexico often, then Spanish would make more sense than French.
 
It really depends on where you live and what you plan to do with your life.
French used to be the language of diplomacy (one reason I was encouraged to take it in secondary school). My slightly younger sister took Russian because she wanted to be a marine biologist and, at the time, many oceanographic studies were being done (and written) in the former Soviet Union.
I never went the diplomatic route yet ended up in two countries where French was one of the official languages. My sister is a landscape architect and finds Spanish much more useful where she works and travels.
If you can manage it, Mandarin Chinese or Arabic might not be a bad choice. One (non-oriental) young woman I know who has a business degree and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese is basically "writing her own ticket" as far as work is concerned!
Had I stayed in my hometown, Spanish would have been far, far more useful for me than any other language -- other than English.
And, don't forget, many non-native English speakers are choosing English as their second language. Technological and (many) medical texts are written in English and are not translated!
 
French, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin are the best choices

Spanish, because its a major european language, lots of people teach it, and more land speaks it then any other,

French, because it's European and lots of people teach

Mandarin, because more people speak it then any other

Japanese, because it is a very technologically advanced country, and all our good jobs are being moved there.
 
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