I notice in the UK/Europe nowadays it does put you at an advantage in the job market to learn a second language.
I am thinking of learning either French, German or Japanese. Or at least trying to 
Does anyone have any advice on whether these are the right ones to be looking at? Or else have any other languages that spring to mind
Thank You in advance
ukwali, I am in USA so we arrogant Americans don't feel the need to ever learn another language other than English :D But seriously, ummm...Latin, French, German wouldn't be bad to learn, in your part of the world (Europe). Happy learning! :)
depends on what you want to do, for workign within europe french or german may be best. Other languages that could be of benefit if you are looking at a more international role are Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.
German would be a very good language to learn.
Dialects of the German language are spoken in Switzerland, Sweden, Eastern border of France, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland and of course, Germany!!
It's an easy and fun language to learn.
Plus, it's easy to speak as well.
Since you live in Europe, I would recommend learing German since it's the most common language spoken there (other than English). Although, since each of these places have their own dialect of German, the German language varies from country to country...but if you learn the basic German language, you will still be able to communicate with people throughout Western Europe.
I was able to successfully learn the language fairly quickly.
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*Originally posted by moona: *
ukwali, I am in USA so we arrogant Americans don't feel the need to ever learn another language other than English :D
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How about Spanish? ;) Doesn't your dream man needs to learn? You mentioned it in one post he's a busineesman ;) Didn't Ya? :D
Compare the number of people from other countries learning english and compare that with Americans learning another language. You will get your answer. Business around the world is done in English.American English to be exact. Better get used to it.
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*Originally posted by Chaltahai: *
Compare the number of people from other countries learning english and compare that with Americans learning another language. You will get your answer. Business around the world is done in English.American English to be exact. Better get used to it.
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MehnazQ, You added some good points. Yes German is widely spoken language in Europe, although I would not say, it is a easy language like english. I started learning German when I was sixteen and mind you years after I am still learning it. German language uses articles with 3 sexes for subjects (muscline, femine and neutral) and all comes from feeling and experience, there is no rule, whatsoever...sometimes it gets frustrating.
CH, a lame excuse, it doesn't hurt to learn foreign languages. Japanese don't learn english, french don't. Americans are just plain lazy or stupid :D.. to learn other languages cos they think english is an universal language, in school I had to learn french and english or otherwise you cannot graduate.
Ukwali, Anyway if you want to more opportunties, so learn other languages, like others said, German or french is a good idea.
SaadiaB: The post was in reference to learning the language for the job market. I gave you the reason why Americans do not need to learn another language for business purposes. every froggie and japanese knows the language of business is english. It is more important for an Austrian to learn english than for an American to learn german.
As far as learning another language for other pursuits, there are many Americans who can translate the entire novellas francais.
You really mean American don’t need to learn other languages for business reasons ? really? seeesh in which world do you live on. Not all ppl who work in the business world speak english. You are wrong, japanese don’t learn english, they do all business in japenese, thats why so many ppl are learning japanese and it is such a hot language, my information comes from my cousin who lives and works there, so he knows about it, they can’t even say greetings in english, business no way.
If an American will come to europe for business purposes or for work and only speaks english, then my dear he will get a huge suprise, in the european soul, the european do business in their own native language, the american will have to learn their native or language or adiaos bye bye to his America and no business.
Of course it is important for the austrians to know english, thats why they learn it in school and if an Austrian will go to America or UK he will not have difficulties doing his business there, we are smart you know 
Hey, you guys are right, I have yet to see a German or French sitcom dubbed in English shown on American networks. But when I go to Europe, it is so funny to hear Bill Cosby speak Dutch. God, these Europeans are so behind. I mean Bill Cosby????
Yeah, I would say when most people will start going to Business schools in Japan, it will be a good time to learn Japanese, until then, Kawasaki to you!
Instead of making it (again) a Europeans vs American issue, please lets get back to the discussion requested by the topic starter.
ukwali,
I think you got your answer already. German and French are both useful, as they are spoken across a broad-range of places in Europe. I learnt French in school, and it wasn't too difficult. Can't speak too much any more, as without speaking it regularly we lose a large bit of vocabulary. I have no clue about German, and reading what is written by both moona and SaadiaB, its unclear now how difficult it is. But you can always give it a try. I am sure these extra language skills will come in handy someday. :)
NYA, you forgat "Alf", "Knight Rider", "Airwolf" "Mr T" and more wacky American productions, that the Americans sell cheaply and no one watches other than the retired ones. Yeah we are way behind, but not so behind as those shows. :)
Faisal, the topic starter asked if the members thought whether or not these were the languages (French, German, Japsie) to be considered. Now everyone is giving their suggestions, if you can’t figure out the context, perhaps you should concentrate on English.
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*Originally posted by NYAhmadi: *
Faisal, the topic starter asked if the members thought whether or not these were the languages (French, German, Japsie) to be considered. Now everyone is giving their suggestions, if you can’t figure out the context, perhaps you should concentrate on English.
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I wrote my message before reading your very thoughtful reply. Sorry about that.
Faisal, If you really thought that my reply was that thoughtful, you really need big help with English. Bhaijan, it was a joke, but a serious one.
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*Originally posted by SaadiaB: *
MehnazQ, You added some good points. Yes German is widely spoken language in Europe, although I would not say, it is a easy language like english. I started learning German when I was sixteen and mind you years after I am still learning it. German language uses articles with 3 sexes for subjects (muscline, femine and neutral) and all comes from feeling and experience, there is no rule, whatsoever...sometimes it gets frustrating.
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I guess it depends on the individual who is learning the language. I took French for many years and found it much harder than German, which I was able to learn fairly quickly (approximately 1-2 years). It just depends on the individual and whether they really have an interest in learning the language.
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*Originally posted by MehnazQ: *
I guess it depends on the individual who is learning the language. I took French for many years and found it much harder than German, which I was able to learn fairly quickly (approximately 1-2 years). It just depends on the individual and whether they really have an interest in learning the language.
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You are right, it really depends on the individual. Where as I did not have difficulties learning French grammer, German was not easy and still is not, I don't know, maybe I am not good in learning languages, well thats what I feel sometimes :-{
SaadiaB: American students also have to learn a second language in school. Ofcourse it is good to know another language. But if you know english, it is absolutely necessary...ofcourse not. Conversely, it is more important for a frenchie to know english.
ukwali,
German would be a good choice. Mehnaz mentioned some good reasons for that.
I think German is not that hard. There are certain aspects of German which are similar to Urdu & which make it easier to understand it.
wow was a bit surprised to see the number of responses :D
Thanks guys. I learnt French at school, and Spanish too. ALthough really rusty on both now.
I think Ill try German first, go for somethign a bti different, and if I can get my head around it, and brush up on french. And then one day learn japanese.
Thanks for the advice much appreciated
:)