Give it a try and you'll see that a little language skill goes a long way toward mending international relations.

BBC: Nine must-learn local phrases

That language skill still comes in handy, and not just because Russia is suspected of having carried out cyber assaults against Estonia in 2007 and Georgia in 2008.

WSJ: The Weekend Interview with Timothy Thomas: Why China Is Reading Your Email

Picking up a musical instrument, a foreign language or some other complex new skill poses a challenge for anyone.

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The use of text language "was actually driving the development of phonological awareness and reading skill in children", said Dr Wood.

BBC: Phone texting 'helps pupils to spell'

The right's most notable linguistic achievement isn't its skill in coining distracting catchphrases, but its success in capturing the language of everyday political discussion.

NPR: 'Talking Right': Why the Left Is Losing, Linguistically

Over the last few months, one skill has been brought up with increasing frequency: a facility with the language of business, and, in particular, finance.

FORBES: Successful Chief Information Officers Speak the Language of Business: Finance

"We live in an ever smaller global community and we probably are at a point where we believe having some language skills is a useful thing - it's what I would call a vocational skill really, " he says.

BBC: 'Gaming' the school league tables?

Like the Rosetta Stone's ubiquitously marketed computer-based product, TOTALe Online works by means of virtual immersion: Regardless of skill level, you listen in on dialogues, repeat sentences and answer questions entirely in the language you're studying.

WSJ: The Best Language Learning Apps | App Happy