7 reasons why learning foreign languages is important to Vietnam

Later in life, when I realized English could bring me countless new opportunities, I started investing more time learning the language.

After earning a scholarship and building a great life thanks to English, I've become a strong advocate for learning the language.

Some argue we overemphasize English, pointing to translation tools or examples like Japan and China, where economic success does not rely on widespread English proficiency, or the Philippines, where strong English skills have not led to similar economic wealth to Japan or China.

Three people working together on a laptop at a café. Illustration photo by Pexels

Here are my opinions on the matter:

Firstly, English isn't just a tool for work—it's also a gateway to improving professional expertise.

Many essential resources in fields ranging from basic sciences to social studies are written in English. Vietnamese translations, if available, are often outdated or poorly done.

In the field I'm working in, Vietnamese translations of textbooks are often outdated or poorly done, making them dull and difficult to learn from.

So, when I started reading original English materials, I found them far more engaging. The subtle humor and nuances, often lost in translation, made the learning experience more enjoyable.

I gained more knowledge in my two years overseas than in my four years at a Vietnamese university.

Secondly, learning a foreign language means learning a mindset.

I've studied English, German, Dutch, and French and explored Japanese and Hindi. The structure of each language—its grammar, pronouns, and sentence patterns—reflects the culture of the countries that speak it.

For example, German and Dutch require precise pronunciation of every letter and strict word placement in sentences, emphasizing accuracy and discipline.

English has simplified pronunciation and grammar so people can learn and speak it more easily. This practicality helped turn English into a global business language.

Languages like Vietnamese and Hindi, with numerous pronouns based on age, gender, and social rank, show hierarchical thinking. However, the languages lack strict grammar rules, suggesting a casual mindset.

Learning English develops logical thinking and promotes efficiency, key traits in English-speaking cultures and business environments.

Thirdly, translation tools can't fully replace direct language skills.

For example, even if I do my work in English in a non-English-speaking country where locals also understand the language, I'd still need to learn the native tongue to navigate daily life there without hiccups.

Google Translate helps with emails, web browsing, and simple conversations, but it can't help me handle phone calls or understand public announcements effectively.

As for AI and other translation tools, they still fail to accurately translate specialized or more nuanced texts.

Whenever I translate specialized documents, I must revise nearly everything to make sure the result follows Vietnamese writing standards.

Fourth, learning foreign languages is now a global trend.

People show genuine enthusiasm for learning new languages everywhere I've traveled worldwide.

In one class I attended, an exchange student spent two months studying the local language, even though their program lasted only three months. A janitor I knew regularly attended evening language classes despite their job not requiring language skills. And a worker in their late 50s spent over a year learning the local language during their two-year work assignment.

At my workplace, colleagues practice different languages during lunch times—French on Tuesdays and Spanish on Thursdays.

Language classes are affordable where I live, and employers often offer paid hours to employees to study languages.

Clearly, not just Vietnamese people value learning new languages.

Fifth, comparing Vietnam to Japan, China, or the Philippines is misleading. A country's economic success depends on various factors, not just the population's English proficiency.

Japan's work ethic is about pushing themselves for perfectionism, while China's massive population fosters strong communities worldwide.

Without all these inherent positive traits, we can't assume Vietnam will be as rich as Japan and China and dismiss English proficiency.

As for America, the country benefits economically from the two world wars and its excellent talent-attracting policies.

India excels in English but isn't wealthy due to its massive population and low per capita income. However, many Indian CEOs lead top global companies, and its universities rank among the world's best.

Meanwhile, the Philippines' economic struggles are related to deeper political and social issues unrelated to English proficiency.

Sixth, some believe that once Vietnam becomes a developed country, foreigners will come here to learn Vietnamese for business.

But even Japan and China once had to learn English to travel to English-speaking countries, gain knowledge, and return to build their economies.

Even if foreigners learn Vietnamese, it's often driven by cultural interest and not because the foreigners want to do business in Vietnam.

Lastly, many Vietnamese born from the 1960s to 1980s who undervalued English might have had far better lives today if they had learned the language.

So, instead of dismissing English or other foreign languages, we should encourage children to learn and master them. They must first let Vietnam know the world's languages before dreaming of letting the world know Vietnamese.