Should our students be required to learn more than just one foreign language?

[knorman]

Here in Belgium we learn French, English and sometimes Spanish or German. I think it's quite good to learn as much foreign languages as possible.

 

[Syterion]

Let's at least stop teaching Spanish, French, and German. The world isn't that Eurocentric anymore. There are other countries.

I agree. I think we should start learning foreign language at age 7 or 8, with a choice between Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, and maybe Japanese or French. Although I think maany people would object, Arabic could also be a language taught.

 

[SeleucusNicator]

The thing is, a language like Arabic or Mandarin is going to be far more difficult for a native English speaker than Spanish or French would be.

I also do not understand why Mandarin is always mentioned among lanaguages that should be learned. It has a lot of speakers, sure, but is not really significant in terms of international culture and politics. Having hundreds of millions of peasants speak a language does not by default make it important.

 

[Sarevok]

@ Colonel: Yeah, and if nobody goes to school, the test scores will improve? I understand that YOU don't like school, but the only way to make things better is to make an effort, not withdraw.

I'd love to see how the US, or any country, would fare if 50 years from now, only 10 % of the population had attended school.

That 90% would be IDIOTS

 

[downtown]

Let's at least stop teaching Spanish, French, and German. The world isn't that Eurocentric anymore. There are other countries.

I very much disagree. what countries are most likely to be visted by an American student? Canada or Mexico. Hence, Spanish or French. In the west, one is faaar more likely to need spanish skills then say, chineese. Its about practical uses. Every country south of us, (sans Brasil), speaks Spanish, and one can go across the pond, and if you are armed with spanish and french, you'll be able to talk to most people.

If China becomes the next superpower, then prehaps it might be more practical. Right now, French, Spanish, and prehaps German and Latin are the most practical languages to be studied...at least at the middle to high school level for American students

 

[Yaype]

I think that before requiring students to learn more than a single foreign language, we need to focus on improving how we teach the first foreign language. Starting in high school and teaching the way most public schools do are not the best ways to learn a foreign language to a level of moderate competency. I consider myself fortunate in that I lived in Mexico City for two years while still relatively young (ages 10-12), and I believe that is the only reason I am fluent in Spanish (the 5 years in middle school and high school have next to nothing to do with it, trust me).

Summary: Make the current system more efficient before trying to expand it.

 

[Syterion]

The thing is, a language like Arabic or Mandarin is going to be far more difficult for a native English speaker than Spanish or French would be.

That is why I said they should start learning at 7 or 8. Of course, I'm sure years later, people will be kicking themselves for choosing a language when they were 7 and too stupid to think it through.

 

[Shadylookin]

I don't think it's a good idea. I have taken 3 years of spanish class passed with A's and only know a dozen or so phrases. I don't think teaching it to the younger kids is a good idea either because I don't want to be insulted in a language I can't understand that and from what I've heard kids will use both of the languages while talking thus screwing them up even more(this is what I have heard, can anyone that actually grew up with 2 languages comment)

Besides people need to learn english, we didn't come this far just to change how we talk. Yay for manifest destiny!

 

[Colonel]

no more school for those who dont want it no school

 

[Mise]

no more school for those who dont want it no school

Did you learn English as your second language?

 

[Oruc]

learning a foreign language is pointless, i had to learn french for 5 years i can only remember 3 words without thinking too much. i learnt spanish for 1 year and it wasnt even on a regular basis which was pointless and its not as if im going to some foreign country and most foreigners speak english so i wont even need to learn thiers.

 

[Esckey]

I've heard kids will use both of the languages while talking thus screwing them up even more

I know some dutch words, but I only ever really use Oma(Grandmother) and Opa(Grandfather) and when ever I use those to describe my dutch grandparents (IE "Naw I'm going to my Oma and Opa's for the weekend") whom ever hears it always gets a confused look and I just look back at them like their complete morons, before it suddenly clues in that I should use the english words.

 

[Cuivienen]

I'm all for encouraging as many languages as possible in American schools, and higher requirements, but personally I'd rather see science, math, history and literature boiosted before any foreign languages. Studying both Spanish and Latin in both Middle and High School has really helped me (though Latin is more useful for fun trivia than anything else), and I've become fluent in Spanish just through five years of study. I suppose I'm fluent in Latin, too, but there's no one to talk to. Then again, I'm also the Spanish Department's protégé, being the only non-Hispanic in the fluent class next year... But I digress.

While learning a foreign language (especially Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Arabic [or English, if non-native, though I'm presuming the discussion is solely about America, in which case Hispanic isolationism is a separate issue]) is very important, and learning two foreign languages even more helpful, I would prefer it if America caught up to the rest of the First World in the other academic fields first.

 

[airrahul]

I am of the position that more foreign langauges should be taught in our schools (in the US) and the teaching should start right from the first grade. RMsharpe, I agreee the world isn't that Eurocentric but what should we teach then? Mandarin by sheer numbers wins but practically speaking, Americans are more likely to visit a German or Swiss or French or Mexican or Canadian (in Quebec) town than Chinese peasants who don't speak English in a village in China. Hindi/Urdu isn't useful beyond India and Pakistan. Spanish is useful due to Latin America. French is useful in Quebec although from what I"ve heard, most people there speak and are willing to speak to tourists in English. Honestly, I say any language would be good to learn, where it be Japanese or Russian as it increases your knowledge and can only help. Plus, it is part of the best investment IMO any gov't can make, education. Cuivienen, I agree, we really do have catching up to do in regards to math and science.

 

[eq1]

I'm all for learning more languages at a younger age. In school I had to learn French, and my parents insisted on me going to a french school. I have found that it has helped alot, both for living in Quebec, and in Europe. Of course wherever you go people can speak english, but they become so much more friendly when you show that you know (or are trying to learn) their language as well. Just because they can suit you needs by speaking your language doesn't mean that they are happy about it. A good first impression is always important.
Now I'm trying to learn a third language (Dutch) and I'm finding that even knowing French helps a bit as well.

 

[Manverulin]

I don't think it should be compulsory for students to learn more than one foreign language, but it should be encouraged.
As for Canada, we are a 'bilingual' nation, so, in my opinion, we should stress, stress, stress learning French in our schools outside of Québec. Not make it compulsory, but greatly encouraged. After all, Canada was founded by both the French and the English. My school has optional French classes and they are compulsory if you wish to take part in the International Baccalaureate program (a fancy higher education program thing), which is party why I take the French classes. Some other schools in my school district teach Spanish, German, Ukrainian, Cree, and even Vietnamese.

 

[MaisseArsouye]

My teacher said : "you're a different man every time you speak a different language". English is widespread, italian sounds like music, greek is cute and precise, arabic is some kind of algebra ( I like it !! )... Everybody should learn as many languages as he can !

And on holydays, it is VERY usefull to speak local language, even just a few words. It advoids you to pay "tourist tax" If an American tourist ask me the way in english, I'll show him. If he does in french, I'm gonna lead him there

 

[JMK]

...........i had to learn french for 5 years i can only remember 3 words without thinking too much..........QUOTE]

I hope this guy is not serious but more likely trying to joke!

 

[Ozz]

No, learning another language BY compusion is an utter waste of time and
tax dollars, I took 9 years of French and never learned it until i worked in
Quebec, then I learned French in 3 months (not very well, but passable).
I haven't used French since leaving Quebec, and have forgotten it.

Some may make the case of openning the literally works of another culture
but do I really need to read the iliad in the original Greek?

A better use would be to teach how to vote, as in how to properly spoil
a ballot (you refuse it, not miscast it)

 

[Adebisi]

Finland is bilingual Swedish/Finnish, despite the fact that only 5-6% of the population speak Swedish. English is compulsory in addition to the domestic languages. In reality though, Swedish is a foreign language for most people.