Why learn languages?
- Cate Taylor
- 9 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Lately, you hear it everywhere: “What’s the point of learning languages?” With the likes of Google Translate in our pockets (and even major universities announcing they’ll stop teaching modern foreign languages), it’s easy to think languages are no longer necessary.
And yes, a translating app can help you work out what something means or say a short sentence. That has its place. But when you really learn a language, you don’t just translate words — you access culture, traditions, and meaning.
Take la galette des rois, for example. If you know French, you know it’s not just a cake. It’s the shared ritual, the excitement, the hidden fève. Like my daughter finding this year's in the shape of a tiny Stitch 🥰 — suddenly you’re part of the moment, not just observing it.
Learning a language lets you truly connect, understand, and experience life beyond the surface — not just get by.
Are there experiences you’ve had that only made sense because you had a real grasp of the language? Or moments you wish you’d understood better, but couldn’t because you didn’t speak it yet?
New year, new language?
Get in touch to book your French or Spanish lessons with me. I have a few spaces available for adults during the day and online tutoring for Hong Kong students preparing for IB or IGCSE French and Spanish.
Cate is a qualified teacher with more than 20 years of experience teaching in schools and she has most recently dedicated her time to tutoring both online and face to face. Current and past students come from the New Forest, across the UK, Spain, Switzerland, France, Spain, Hong Kong and Australia. Cate has a waiting list for all hours outside of the UK school day but can often find space for those in other time zones (such as Hong Kong and Singapore, UAE, Malaysia) or adults who are able to have a lesson during the day.)