Is there ever any good excuse for not learning the language? - Page 18

Phil_MCR · #**341** 17.01.2011, 22:41

	Quote:	Faltrad
	It cost me 8.000 euros for 12 months, drinks and condoms included. I understand that not every body is a single male with that huge amout of cash. It was an investment for life to me, even if I don't live there anymore, the language stays (sort of). As I stated before in this thread, I have no problem with people who do not speak the language. But language is such an essential element of one's identity that one can not blame the locals to feel strong about it. As long as one accept the consequences of not speaking the local lingo, I will not be the one judging. As long as.

but what about the opportunity cost? if you're earning 120kCHF (minimum necessary to survive) then you're already around 130kCHF down.

a year is a huge amount of time.

Faltrad · #**342** 17.01.2011, 22:57

If money was so central in my life, I would be plumber, because when starting work at 16, then building it all up in that business, that is a lot of money the plumbers made while you and me were at university.

I happily paid for my Dutch year. It was 4 years savings. Investment was worth it to me, because it is one more language in my life, for ever if I keep it up. But I do understand that it would not be worth it in your mind. No problem. I stated several times that I am not really interested in whether people learn the local language but in how they react when facing the reality of not speaking the local language in a given country.

Phil_MCR · #**343** 18.01.2011, 00:35

	Quote:	Faltrad
	If money was so central in my life, I would be plumber, because when starting work at 16, then building it all up in that business, that is a lot of money the plumbers made while you and me were at university. I happily paid for my Dutch year. It was 4 years savings. Investment was worth it to me, because it is one more language in my life, for ever if I keep it up. But I do understand that it would not be worth it in your mind. No problem. I stated several times that I am not really interested in whether people learn the local language but in how they react when facing the reality of not speaking the local language in a given country.

it's nice that you were able to do this, but my point is that not everybody is able to afford a year off and blow 4 years worth of savings to learn a language.

i guess you were single at the time or had a very understanding wife!

meloncollie · #**344** 18.01.2011, 13:03

For some (perhaps many) folks here, learning the local language is not a good investment - professionally at least.

If one works in an international company, chances are that although your job is here your boss may be in the UK, his boss in Tokyo, corporate headquarters in the US - and the people who report to you are working in 10 different countries.

Other than the address on your business card, there is little Swiss about your work environment - so time spent learning a local language may help you speak with a few colleagues over lunch, but doesn't provide any intrinsic professional value. In fact it may hurt, as that is time spent away from the tasks at hand.

Just another perspective...

CH_Me · #**345** 18.01.2011, 13:45

	Quote:	meloncollie
	For some (perhaps many) folks here, learning the local language is not a good investment - professionally at least. If one works in an international company, chances are that although your job is here your boss may be in the UK, his boss in Tokyo, corporate headquarters in the US - and the people who report to you are working in 10 different countries. Other than the address on your business card, there is little Swiss about your work environment - so time spent learning a local language may help you speak with a few colleagues over lunch, but doesn't provide any intrinsic professional value. In fact it may hurt, as that is time spent away from the tasks at hand. Just another perspective...

I think languauges are always a good investment. Learning the local language means more job opportunities should you want to switch jobs and stay in CH, so professionally I think it is a great investment.

The more languages you have under your belt the more clients and connections you can have too.

greenmount · #**346** 18.01.2011, 16:41

In the end we have to admitt that for some people is very difficult or/and not so important, while for some other people it's really challenging and rewarding. In my opinion it's also a cultural thing, for instance in my country well-educated people "must" speak at least one foreign language. This thing is quite motivating, since most of us want a certain status.