随着互联网的普及，网络时代已经到来。线上获取信息已经成了全世界大多数人的生活常态。对于还在校园中耕耘的莘莘学子们而言，外语学习还有必要吗？今天，我阅读了一篇关于外语学习调查报告的英语短文。

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【英语短文阅读】网络时代外语学习还有必要吗

As you may know, learning a foreign language can be challenging. But it undefineds also going to be fun. We spent hundreds of hours at school trying to get us to learn different language vocabulary and grammar to get some qualifications. But learning to speak a second language not only helps you pass the exam, but also opens the door to another opportunity to help you communicate with others and make traveling abroad more fulfilling.

也许你也知道，学习一门外语有时候很富有挑战性。但也会很有趣。我们花了数百个小时在学校，试图让我们学习不同的的语言词汇和语法，以获得一些资格证书。但学会说第二语言不仅是为了通过考试，同时也为你打开了另一扇机会的大门，帮助你和他人交流，并使出国旅行更有成就感。

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外语学习中德语和法语在下降

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According to a recent study by the BBC (BBC), the number of teenagers learning foreign languages in British secondary schools has fallen by 45% in the past century, which may come as a surprise. Germany and France saw the biggest drop. While these languages from Britainundefineds two closest trading partners have declined in terms of GCSE levels, some other languages, such as Spanish and Putonghua, have seen significant growth.

据英国广播公司(BBC)最近研究显示，自21世纪以来，英国中学学习外语的青少年人数下降了45%，这可能会让人感到意外。德国和法国的下降幅度最大。尽管来自英国两个最亲密的贸易伙伴的这些语言在GCSE水平上有所下降，但其他一些语言(如西班牙语和普通话)却出现了明显的增长。

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网络时代外语学习还有必要吗

Another survey of secondary schools found that 1/3 of students gave up at least one GCSE option. There are many reasons, including some students who find it difficult to speak a second language. Mastering the jargon of another country is undoubtedly a challenge, and some students will think, "Why bother?" While hundreds of millions of people around the world speak English, others question whether to use a second language in times of technological advances in online translation.

另一项针对中学的调查显示，三分之一的学生至少放弃了一种GCSE考试选项。其中的原因有很多，包括一些学生认为第二语言很难。掌握另一个国家的行话无疑是一项挑战，一些学生会想：“何必费心呢？”当全世界数亿人说英语的时候，另一些人则质疑在网络翻译技术进步的时候是否需要使用第二语言。

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外语学习影响竞争力

Matthew fall (Matthew Fall), chief policy director of CBI, the UK business group, told BBC: "the decline in school language learning must be reversed or the UKundefineds global competitiveness will diminish and young people will be less prepared for the modern world." But even for those who are keen to learn another language, opportunities are dwindling. In Scotland, for example, foreign language courses are being squeezed out of many secondary school timetables, with some principals blaming the curriculum for the pressure.

英国商业集团CBI首席政策总监马修·法尔(Matthew Fall)向BBC表示：“学校语言学习的下降必须扭转，否则英国在全球的竞争力将减弱，年轻人对现代世界的准备也会更少。”但即使对那些热衷于学习另一种语言的人来说，机会也在减少。例如，在苏格兰，外语课程正被挤出许多中学时间表，一些校长将压力归咎于课程设置。

外语学习的另一种好处

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However, some native speakers tell BBC the benefits of speaking another language. Cassandra Scott (CassandraScott) of Edinburgh learned three languages in his final year at school. She is now a freelance translator in Edinburgh. "Learning language at school really sets the direction for my career," she said.

然而，一些以英语为母语的人告诉BBC说另一种语言的好处。来自爱丁堡的卡桑德拉·斯科特(CassandraScott)在学校的最后一年学习了三种语言。她现在是爱丁堡的一名自由翻译，她说：“在学校学习语言真的为我的职业生涯定下了方向。”

也许你还感兴趣：新手学英语如何学起？以商务英语为例

From：new soul（图片和资料源于网络）