tinker_bell\" post_id=\"2042386\" time=\"1634278581\" user_id=\"194652:However true that is, it's unfortunate that most language learning is only effective if there is verbal communication happening. Ultimately when we learn languages it's so we can use them to communicate - verbally or through text. That's why the most important part of language is knowing how to write texts and speak fluently, because the production process requires you to think in another language, which is hard.
3rd language was perhaps useful back in the 80's and 90's when japanese, german, french and bahasa melayu was required to conduct business or study in the various regions of the world.
Now with google translate, its all a moot point.
And with youtube and education apps, any child who has a direct interest in learning a foreign language can pick it up very easily. In fact, my nephew is learning spanish from an app called https://www.babbel.com/.
MOELC provides this guidance for free, while you would normally have to rely on other cost-requiring sites, which is, obviously, undesirable. Furthermore, third language can be used as a replacement for any one of the humanities subjects when counted in the final grade (or for some schools, even replace a science.) It's not hard to score well in the third language. If, let's say, you study Spanish, you are only required to change your phone language into Spanish, perhaps watch a few videos and movies in Spanish, and you will improve very fast. However for history you have to memorise all sorts of dates and facts.
Language learning is fun and easy, regardless of whether or not it's at MOELC. The seniors who are holding the RGPS language webinar are going to open it up and share more about tips and other things surrounding third language and MOELC. It's really wasted to let go of this opportunity to learn something new. Even if you don't want to pick up a third language, you should probably attend the webinar to make an educated decision.
Also, your point about google translate is also, as you say, moot in a sense. Although yes, google translate is a thing, it is inaccurate and grammatically incorrect. Business partners who speak, say, German, receiving a grammar mistake-riddled email will only make their impression of you decrease. Besides, if you're speaking in a third language, are you going to google translate every single sentence and play out what Siri says for the other to hear? No.
Third language learning is all about convenience, practicality, usability and connections. Learning a new language unlocks a new culture, and you can never see enough of the world. For more information you can check out @polyglotclubsg on Instagram. They have a lot of interesting and informative posts.