The role of foreign languages in the international communications and science

The role of foreign languages is increasing as it is absolutely necessary for good specialists and, of course, for postgraduate students to know foreign languages. To my mind, language is the main medium for communication and we can’t imagine our life without it.

Some people learn foreign languages because they need them in their work, others travel abroad and communicate in a foreign language. Nowadays English is considered to be the main language of communication, science and technology. English language is used in about 100 countries all around the world. Today if you don’t know English, you are in danger of being excluded from what’s going on – in education, at work and especially in the world of technological advances. It is the language of progressive science and technology, trade and cultural relations, commerce and business. It is the universal language of international aviation, shipping, navigation, sport, diplomacy.

As for me I speak good English and also have basic knowledge of German and French. There are some interesting works in English devoted to the subject of my dissertation, which I intend to use to make my research more profound and comprehensive.

It is worth mentioning some statistics concerning the significance of the English language. English is the most widely learned second language in the world; 80% of all information stored electronically is in English, it is the main language used throughout the world in the Internet; one half of the world’s scientific literature is written in English.

Foreign languages play an important role in International collaboration and in solving challenging scientific problems. Due to foreign languages we can communicate with our colleagues and business partners, take part in international conferences and scientific projects. The most striking example of the international scientific project is our collaboration with the US in space research.

Learning foreign languages is a long process and it takes a lot of time and patience. But the knowledge of a foreign language is absolutely necessary for every educated person.    

7 The international and national programs for support of young scientists

In my opinion, international collaboration is very important in solving scientific problems. Today there are a lot of programs supporting young scientists. There are different kinds of such programs: Russian and foreign ones, business, government and international varieties.

International organizations, governments and private funds develop different programs to encourage scientific research of young scientists. There are a lot of examples of international programs supporting young scientists. For instance, the International Forum of young scientists, the World Academy of young scientists, the UNESCO programs. Most of the funds supporting young scientists specialize in a specific science field (e.g. Austrian Program – Lieben Prize – specializes in the sphere of technology and nanotechnology).

There are also many Russian programs supporting young scientists; President, Government, Subject of Government Grants, Funds (of the fundamental research, of the humanitarian research, venture, Bortik’s, Potanin’s awards), federal programs, etc. Grants are given to researchers in different fields of science on a competitive basis. There are similar programs on regional and non-governmental basis (e.g. Potanin’s fund). Potanin’s fund develops versatile programs to encourage scientific research of young scientists, postgraduate students among them. Usually information about a grant is available on different sites via the Internet. It can also be accessed at foreign embassies and consulates.

At our university, for example, it is possible to become «The Student of the Year» and «The Post-graduate of the Year» and get corresponding prizes. In conclusion, we can summarize that nowadays a young scientist has plenty of opportunities of receiving support while fulfilling his/her research.