Is Studying Chinese Only a Fad?

What’s this? Non-Chinese singing in Chinese! 

 
There as been much talk lately that studying Chinese has become a fad. Is studying Chinese (or any language) just a misguided craze?
 
As for most people, the will to intellectually improve is an everlasting concern. Studying anything positive for self-improvement can’t be bad. Even if, it happens to be one of the most interesting languages in the world which happens to be the language spoken in one of the fastest emerging economies of the world.
 
I think one must ask why is studying Chinese a personal goal and how will studying this tonal language help him or her in the future. Well, everything we have studied in the past was somehow geared for use now and in the future. Granted not everything we’ve learnt in the pass has been applicable in our daily lives. So how can learning Chinese ensure usability and personal advancement in the future? Well, open another fortune cookie because it can’t.
 
Anyone who has the idea that learning Chinese will somehow magically open once closed doors should think again. First having the basic and necessary skills to function as a contributing member of your own society should be the first and foremost goal for anyone. Learning Chinese to enhance or expand skills further would be one of the many good reasons for studying Chinese. However, the general interest in Chinese art or culture may possibly be another good reason for learning Chinese. Learning anything that would help bridge cultural gaps includes, but not limited to, learning a language spoken by those not of your own culture.
 
Yes, it’s true that China will become more of a dominant factor in many parts of the world. Our global economy will become more integrated with China. So if you have interest or the desire to understand how those outside your own language circle think and function, why not combine the skills you have developed at home with a language such as Chinese? 
 
 
Remember, not so long ago, some people said that computer usage is a fad and would be a thing of the past.