Olympian finds learning languages opens the world

On a visit to China last year in preparation for the 2008 Summer Games, U.S. Olympic swimmer Katie Hoff had an epiphany: she couldn't speak to the locals.

In between practicing for the trials, and keeping up with her busy schedule, Hoff decided then and there that she would add the Mandarin language to her agenda.

"I really wanted to feel more prepared," Hoff said

She chose the mainstream language-learning computer software Rosetta Stone as her Mandarin teacher, and studied for the year before the Games began in Beijing in August.

Opting out of the traditional classroom or private tutor, the swimmer who medaled in three events this year, tackled Mandarin via computer. It was Hoff's second attempt to master another language, after her fruitless effort to learn Spanish in high school.

"I hated my Spanish class," Hoff, 19, said.

It was the monotony of daily lessons and lectures that made her attempt unsuccessful. Calling herself a "visual learner" instead, Hoff said the computer course eased her into the difficult world of Mandarin.

Once in Beijing, she was able to "relate" to the culture. Even the simple act of saying hello in Mandarin would "light up" the local's faces, Hoff said.

Although there were translators on every street corner, Hoff said her experience in Beijing was "remarkable," adding that learning Mandarin opened her "eyes to how you can learn a lot about a county and its culture through its language."

According to Rosetta Stone CEO Tom Adams, 42 percent of 17 to 30 year-olds in the United States are taking foreign language lessons.

Triggering student interest in foreign language learning is the promise of increased career possibilities, a heightened interest in heritage, and a search for personal enrichment, Adams said.

The ease with which one can communicate with different with people in other countries, is another benefit of learning a foreign language, said Sidney Clein, director of the Tennessee Institute for Foreign Language.

Though Clein said that learning via software works best for self-motivated students.

"Hearing and participating in conversation in real-life situations is the best way to learn a language," Clein said.

Hoff said the value of learning a second language goes beyond leisure travel.

"I think that eventually anyone that wants to be successful in today's world, needs to be able to speak a foreign language," Hoff said.

A new language, Clein added, exposes students to a different perspective on life, one "wider than the American filter through which they are accustomed to viewing the world."

Planning to learn Italian next, Hoff said she is preparing for the 2009 World Champions that will be held in Rome.

And for the 2012 Olympics in London, Hoff at least has the language down.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)