“‘I think sooner or later, speaking a third language will be a requirement. Speaking languages develops your memory and brainpower, and it’s good for business too’”
“I
Le Hoa Binh, 25 Binh has been studying Italian for seven years, first at university and then at Dante Alighieri Hanoi
“I
taly is known for its art, architecture and fashion, so their style attracted me to give Italian a try. And also, who doesn’t love pizza? “In Italian, irregularity is regular; things tend not to follow the rules. I’ve now been teaching Italian at university for a year; I
hope in the future I can continue to spread this language. “Speaking more languages makes people more open-minded to different points of view, and improves your mental reflexes, as your brain gets used to switching between languages. And being multilingual is super cool!”
Dao Hong Ha, 25
Hanh Mai, 23
Ha has been studying Mandarin Chinese for five years, through self-study and a language centre
Mai has studied Swedish for over a year, both online and at home
’m interested in the ancient culture of China. The modernday trade between Vietnam and China shows there’s a lot of potential business for bilingual workers. “Learning a new language helps you adapt when you go to new places; it can also help to
avoid conflict, as you are able to recognise multicultural differences. “Chinese writing is quite difficult to learn, but it is so genius to capture a whole concept in a single written character. I would love to become a Chinese teacher, so I can promote the spirit of learning Chinese to others.”
78 | Word August 2017 | wordvietnam.com
“I
spent a year on an exchange programme in Gothenburg, Sweden. I only picked up Swedish as a hobby, to speak with Swedish friends and know how to read street signs or supermarket labels. “Even though Swedes speak perfect English, I didn’t want
to waste the chance to immerse myself better in their culture. “I still struggle with the ‘r’ sound in Swedish; the pronunciation is the most difficult part, among countless challenges! “But not many Vietnamese pick up Swedish, so I feel like I have a unique secret weapon.”