In my
Spanish class in high school bilingual speakers came to our class. These
speakers would describe the lives they led in their countries. They usually had
learned one language in Elementary/middle School. Then, the speakers would
start learning another language by the time they were in high school.
Ultimately
what I learned from all of these speakers is that America is far behind other
countries in teaching multiple languages. In high school, we are lucky to get study
three years of another language. It is only required to take two years of the
same language in high school to graduate. Even with two or three years of these
classes most students are unable to really have a conversation in that
language.
As Grace Chen says most
children are required in other countries to begin learning another language by
age eight; in America, we begin teaching other languages by age fourteen. This
huge gap in age gives other countries a “leg up” on America. The earlier you
start teaching the language, the more rapidly the child will understand the
concepts. These other countries also let the students study languages longer.
Experts say that it takes up to six to eight years of studying the language to
become truly proficient.
Not only
does learning another language allow you to have a better looking resume, but
it opens up a whole new world. Speaking and understanding another languages
allows you to travel and appreciate other cultures. It promotes development of
parts of the brain that we might not use regularly. Learning another languages
also helps with critical thinking and memory. So not only will this help with
understanding of the outside world, but it will improve skills used for other
classes in school.
In order
to be taken more seriously you should have another language in your past. It
looks great on a resume, and it will help out the American economy. David Gray States that it was okay for
the workers to skirt around the language issue, but now that our products are
not superior to others we need to adapt, and be able to compete. We are at a
disadvantage if our competitors can speak a language that allows them more
business. So, if we are able to speak languages that potential consumers are of
other countries we would be able to have more export.
In
conclusion to improve out economy, education, and overall our learning
abilities America needs to step it up. We, as Americans, need to make learning
a foreign language a requirement at a younger age, or run the risk of being
left behind.
When I was in high school, I didn’t see a point to learn another language. My attitude was, we’re in America, we shouldn’t have to learn another language they should learn ours if they want to live here. My school was starting to teach Spanish to the upper elementary and junior high kids as well and I was annoyed that we were being forced to learn Spanish at an even younger age. I was very adamant in the fact that this was our country and we shouldn’t be learning another language.
ReplyDeleteNow I’ve come to realize that it is a huge benefit if you can fluently speak another language. I agree that being at least bilingual is a huge step up on the competition and you’ll have so many more job opportunities if you are as well. I also agree that there are several advantages to knowing another language and that it does help you to use and develop more areas of your brain. Learning/knowing another language will benefit an individual in a variety of different ways. I think America needs to step off of their pedestal and realize that if they want to be the top country in the world, they need to keep up with the competition and start teaching foreign language classes at a younger age. Even if they just introduced it in the younger elementary classes, it would make a significant difference.
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DeleteI agree that America needs to institute into the school system learning foreign languages at an earlier age. I think Americans are lucky because English is both the most widely spread language and the mediating language in business, thus we don’t feel it is as imperative to know other languages. While this is probably true, that’s not to say that neglecting to learn another language is a correct measure. Engaging in this type of learning is incredibly beneficial both to the learning process and to life experiences. The earlier a person grasps on to these concepts, the easier and perhaps, more effective the process will be. I cannot say definitively how many years of a language should be required and at what years a child should begin learning, but I do think the mere two year requirement in high school is not successful. Having been in French class 7-11th grade, I can affirmatively say that this type of learning takes time to grasp, and even with this amount of time spent, I never was completely fluent.
DeleteI think we should know a second language but I took Spanish for two years in high school and it wasn’t anywhere near enough for me to speak it remotely well. One of the few problems I see in learning a new language is deciding which one do we pick. Most of the world learns English because of us, but who do we want to talk to as a whole. Do we go with a current power like China or do we pick between the French or Spanish of our neighbors? Without knowing where kids are going to end up before hand, it's almost a shot in the dark trying guess which language they will need. My overall stance is we need another language, but smarter people than me should pick it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that we need to start learning foreign languages at an earlier age. If two years of foreign language wasn’t required in high school, I can’t see a whole lot of people studying it at all. Like you said, two or three years of language in high school for students who aren’t dedicated to learning the language is probably not going to make them fluent or even able to hold a natural conversation with someone in that language. However, if we teach it in elementary school, they will probably be more familiar with it when they take classes in high school. I agree with you that it is very beneficial for people to know other languages in today’s economy. It makes them more marketable for competitive schools and careers that many are seeking.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the language barrier is a huge problem in travel and in business, but I don’t think it is as necessary as you make it sound. Yes it will make you stand out on a resume, but some jobs don’t even have a need for that skill. There are many other ways you can stand out on your resume or be taken seriously besides being bilingual. The United States is behind in all of its learning besides language and I think that students need to be more concerned with other studies that they may actually use. I do envy the people who are bilingual, however, I didn’t have the will in high school to learn and nor do I now.
ReplyDeleteI think it is unfortunate that there is any sense of competition between countries that we feel it is necessary to keep from “falling behind.” However, I feel as if young Americans are raised in an environment that encourages well rounded lifestyle. Young Americans are placed in institutions that let them explore the ins and outs of many different ideas, and give young children an opportunity to understand a little bit of everything. Elementary aged children partake in classes that develop both the mind, and the body. They are introduced to physical activity and teamwork, as well as developing vocal skills, while remaining involved in studies most commonly including, mathematics, reading, english, geography, and social studies, and in private schools, religion. When creating a curriculum, educators must take into account what is necessary and what is unnecessary. When time is devoted to one thing, it must be taken away from another. I think the involvement of Spanish classes at a younger age is a phenomenal idea that will create a higher level of thinking, and encourage interest in different cultures and lifestyles. I do think, though, that it is important to keep what we, as Americans, have going for our youngsters and go on with the path of well roundedness to encourage everyone to think outside their box. To keep this in effect, it must be carefully examined what will be cut down upon in order to bring in such a concept. I think overall, this idea could bring in a great opportunity for many young Americans and the world as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI agree that having a language barrier is an issue when it comes to business and economic issues. I feel that learning a second language can be very beneficial depending on your career. In my hometown, Spanish was offered starting in 8th grade and you can take up to Spanish 5 in High School. I feel like this is an excellent oportunity for those of us who do want to become fluent in another language and also for us who plan on pursuing a career wher there is some importance of being bilingual. However, not everyone wnats to know more than one language nor will they ever need to know it. I think my school did very well at offering us options and so it was up to us to take advantage of it. I took three years in high school and another semester at UNK so far and I feel like I could hold a basic comversation if it became necessary. Being that I am planing on majoring in business administration I do feel that it is important to know Spanish, but thats just me. So overall having a language barrier could be a hard thing to deal with, but not everyone has to deal with it. Leaning a second language should be optional for the most part because not everyone will need to use it.
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