foreign language

Meaning

A language that is not native to the speaker or not commonly spoken in their home country. It is studied as an academic subject or for personal and professional development.

Examples

• Learning a foreign language requires daily practice and a lot of patience.

  Learning a foreign language requires daily practice and a lot of patience.

• The university requires all students to pass at least one foreign language course.

  The university requires all students to pass at least one foreign language course.

• Studying a foreign language can open up many career opportunities in international business.

  Studying a foreign language can open up many career opportunities in international business.

• It is much easier to learn a foreign language when you are young.

  It is much easier to learn a foreign language when you are young.

• She teaches English as a foreign language to students in South Korea.

  She teaches English as a foreign language to students in South Korea.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am learning an alien language.

  ✓ I am learning a foreign language.

  'Alien language' refers to language spoken by extraterrestrials. For human languages from other countries, always use 'foreign language'.

• ✗ He is fluent in three strange languages.

  ✓ He is fluent in three foreign languages.

  'Strange' means weird or unusual. To describe languages from other nations, use 'foreign'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Many schools are introducing a ___ in elementary school to encourage early bilingualism.

  💡 A language from another country.

  Show answer

  foreign language

• Speaking a ___ fluently is a highly valued skill on any resume.

  💡 A non-native language.

  Show answer

  foreign language