There are hundreds of languages in the world. A handful of major languages, however, dominate international culture. The most spoken languages around the world are English, Spanish, French and Mandarin, with English having the widest spread of speakers. The problem with having a world which speaks English is that many people with English as a first language feel no inclination to learn any others. There are a huge range of language training options available to English speakers living in and around large cities. Using London and Chicago as examples, it is easy to arrange a Spanish course in London or a Spanish course in Chicago. All learners need to do is let their fingers do the walking through the Yellow Pages or browse through the huge range of options on the internet to arrange a course in no time at all.

To use another example, the process for arranging a French course in Chicago or Mandarin course in London goes something like:

1. Decide which language you wish to learn.
2. Make a note of how much time you can devote to learning the language. Do you need evening classes or can you devote whole swathes of your week to study?
3. Decide upon a budget
4. Search newspapers/listings/websites for schools or private teachers who suit your needs.
5. Contact the school/teacher and arrange your first class.

The first class is usually an opportunity for you to ensure that your teacher is right for you and for your teacher to assess your level. Some language schools send you a test to complete before classes begin, while others will give you a brief test at the start of your first class. This is often at the discretion of the individual teacher who operates with their own methods. The same is true whether you are taking an Arabic course in London or an Italian course in Chicago.

After the first class, your teacher will decide upon the structure of your course, choosing elements which suit your needs. As an example, someone learning a new language for translation purposes would need a stronger grasp of how to write a language than someone learning to spend a month travelling. As an example, a Portuguese course in London could focus on the intricacies of Portuguese grammar or could focus on essential lines for wooing Brazilian lovelies on the Copacabana, depending on the needs of the learner.