Chapter 12. French, Italian, Dutch and Other Languages
Why study another language? It builds communication skills, cultural understanding, cognitive flexibility and career opportunities in tourism, translation, diplomacy, education, business and further study [30].
The Common European Framework (CEFR) describes six proficiency levels from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery), and is widely used to plan learning in French, Italian, Dutch and other European languages [30].
Four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, plus grammar and vocabulary.
French [27]
Nouns have gender (masculine, feminine); articles: le, la, les, un, une, des.
Basic verbs: être (to be): je suis, tu es, il/elle est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils/elles sont; avoir (to have): j’ai, tu as, il/elle a, nous avons, vous avez, ils/elles ont.
Useful phrases: bonjour (hello), merci (thank you), s’il vous plaît (please), au revoir (goodbye). Numbers: un, deux, trois.
Italian [28]
Nouns have gender; articles: il, lo, la, i, gli, le, un, una.
essere: sono, sei, è, siamo, siete, sono; avere: ho, hai, ha, abbiamo, avete, hanno.
Useful phrases: buongiorno, grazie, per favore, arrivederci. Numbers: uno, due, tre.
Dutch [29]
Nouns have two genders in modern standard Dutch (common and neuter), with articles de and het, and een (a/an).
zijn (to be): ik ben, jij bent, hij/zij is, wij zijn, jullie zijn, zij zijn; hebben (to have): ik heb, jij hebt, hij/zij heeft, wij hebben, jullie hebben, zij hebben.
Useful phrases: goedemorgen, dank je or dank u, alstublieft, tot ziens. Numbers: een, twee, drie.
Dutch has a historical link with Sri Lanka through the Dutch period (1658–1796), and Roman-Dutch law remains part of the island’s legal system [33][34].
Other languages offered in various places include German, Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, Arabic, Russian, Korean, Pali and Sanskrit. Pali and Sanskrit are classical languages of great importance for the study of Buddhist, Hindu and classical Indian literature and history.
Study methods
Study a little every day rather than rarely and for long periods.
Learn vocabulary in context and use flashcards with spaced repetition.
Listen to native speakers (songs, radio, films) and repeat aloud.
Practise writing short paragraphs and get corrections.
Learn grammar patterns by using them in sentences.
Learn about the culture, as language and culture are connected.
Review: Give the French for “I have.” (Answer: j’ai.)