| The ability to speak and understand a foreign language | | | | networks, the Peace Corps and other organizations |
| might be more valuable now that the world is smaller | | | | offer an array of them. |
| and more global, particularly as a result of technology. | | | | In addition to the popular German, Italian, Spanish, |
| Becoming familiar with a language not your own is a | | | | Chinese and French languages, these free online |
| requirement for students working toward international | | | | courses include Arabic, Chinese, Finnish, Lithuanian, |
| business degrees at American colleges and | | | | Portuguese and others. In North Carolina, a local library |
| universities. Free online courses also allow for language | | | | offers its patrons a free online language learning |
| learning that for others might open up a variety of job | | | | program that includes Farsi, Turkish, Thai and Pashto, |
| opportunities. | | | | according to a recent article in the Times-News Online. |
| President Barack Obama has reportedly | | | | Students with microphones can compare their |
| demonstrated support for free online courses. At a | | | | pronunciations, the article noted. |
| town hall meeting in Georgia more recently, he brought | | | | Many free language learning courses, including the |
| foreign language fluency to the public's attention. "It's | | | | North Carolina libraries, also include English as a |
| embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they | | | | Second Language, which the CBS blog noted that |
| all speak English, they speak French, they speak | | | | President Barack Obama also supports. Familiar with |
| German," Obama was quoted in a CBS News blog as | | | | podcasts? Then the technology involved with free |
| saying. "And then we go over to Europe and all we | | | | online courses in foreign language shouldn't be a |
| can say is 'merci beaucoup,' right?" | | | | problem. Students participate in studies via iTunes, |
| Proficiency in the language of another country can | | | | feeds and websites. |
| provide job candidates an edge over others who | | | | Members of the military are among those who are |
| speak one language and might also lead to higher | | | | rewarded for fluency in foreign languages. The Air |
| salaries, an item from the ERIC Clearinghouse on | | | | Force in January announced that its foreign language |
| Language and Linguistics suggests. Fluency in language | | | | proficiency bonus policy was being expanded. Through |
| of another country is required in some areas of | | | | the program, all airmen fluent in languages other than |
| communications and could be an asset in federal | | | | English are eligible for bonus pay, and the numbers of |
| agencies and urban departments when it comes to | | | | languages are many. An Air Force representative in a |
| police and detective work, according to reports on the | | | | news released said the new policy targets high |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics web site. These are only | | | | proficiency in languages critical to building partnerships |
| some reasons to learn another language, where | | | | and answering operational requirements. |
| classes are among the most prolific of free courses | | | | Travelers might understand the importance of foreign |
| online. | | | | language study when they travel to countries outside |
| Foreign language classes might not be offered free | | | | of the United States. Free online courses in foreign |
| from colleges and universities. However, students who | | | | language might also appeal to those who studied a |
| value the importance of foreign language study in | | | | language years ago and want to brush up. In some |
| terms of communications and who want to participate | | | | instances, free online courses in foreign language |
| in language learning for free have a choice of at least | | | | include an education in a country's culture as well. |
| 37 from which to choose. Cultural organizations, radio | | | | |