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Students have a difficult time enough with learning plain English.
They need to master English before they are introduced to another language which has zero economic value for their future livelihood. They forced Russian down our throats in the 80's as if it was the "next big thing" too.
It's time Americans stopped jumping on the "language" bandwagon whenever the spoken "flavor of the era" pops up and simply concentrate on teaching these kids ENGLISH, MATH and SCIENCE so they can compete on a global scale. I doubt seriously that Arabic will do anything constructive for them in the future except that they learn a new language.
English is, and will always remain, the Universal Language of All That Matters. Arabic is a nullity spoken by nobody of importance, IMHO
Not necessarily. There will be a time when another will take over. Even English has evolved considerably. And a lot of that evolution involves acceptance of words that are rooted in other languages. That is the way it has been, and that is the way it will always be.
Students have a difficult time enough with learning plain English.
Only in America someone would make that claim. I know multi-linguists who would put a lot of just English speakers to shame. In fact, a lot of societies emphasize on learning more (not less), to get an upper hand in the future. And they've been succeeding. In fact, India versus China or Russia may be a good example. Indians tend to know at least two languages.
They need to master English before they are introduced to another language which has zero economic value for their future livelihood.
Countless studies have shown greater literacy rates amongst students who learned multiple languages.
Quote:
It's time Americans stopped jumping on the "language" bandwagon whenever the spoken "flavor of the era" pops up and simply concentrate on teaching these kids ENGLISH, MATH and SCIENCE so they can compete on a global scale.
Well, to the effect of the bolded... in that case, our children should be learning:
* Mandarin because it is the most widely spoken language in the world.
* French or Spanish because of our location and the similarities between romance languages
* And finally, Latin because english has its roots in Latin... in addition to its use in sciences, philosophy, medicine, etc.
The military has training to learn those languages. Why the need to force it on people?
Last I knew most children had a choice in which foreign languages of which they partook in school. There were usually 2-3 choices. I don't believe that equivocates to being forced. This school district would seem to be an exception. I don't agree with forcing of a specific language nor forcing learning about foreign cultures, which I believe is the crux of the article and of the OP's point.
Parents who do not want their children taking mandatory Arabic language and culture classes at this school may have to move them to a different district, to a private school, or home school. At least we are still free enough to do that (in some states).
Personally, I think it is a good thing when our schools offer more variety for foreign language than the typical Spanish or French. More and more are also offering Chinese. I think the offering of mutiple languages, including those used in business, is advantageous to American children. I'll admit I don't like seeing it done with federal grants. I'd like to see schools returned to state control and funding exclusively; but that is another topic.
Countless studies have shown greater literacy rates amongst students who learned multiple languages.
Well, to the effect of the bolded... in that case, our children should be learning:
* Mandarin because it is the most widely spoken language in the world.
* French or Spanish because of our location and the similarities between romance languages
* And finally, Latin because english has its roots in Latin... in addition to its use in sciences, philosophy, medicine, etc.
And those would be in addition to English.
Meanwhile they cut the music department but they find money to teach Arabic.
The international language of business and commerce is ENGLISH.
Not Mandarin, Spanish, German, Swahili, Portuguese, Dutch or French and certainly not Latin.
Learning a foreign language may be a requirement in public schools, it doesn't negate the fact that Science, and Math are the core subjects students need to compete on a global scale with English being equally as important.
Students learning Arabic should be as low on the requirement scale as a student being involved in extracurricular activities.
The Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grant was awarded to Mansfield ISD last summer by the U.S. Department of Education.
As part of the five-year $1.3 million grant, Arabic classes would be mandatory at Cross Timbers Intermediate School and Kenneth Davis Elementary School.
It usually helps to actually read the article to which one is responding.
The international language of business and commerce is ENGLISH.
Not Mandarin, Spanish, German, Swahili, Portuguese, Dutch or French and certainly not Latin.
I'm actually now proud that part of my property taxes go to this school district. Now only if Flower Mound (Lewisville ISD) would also do the same.
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