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When I was growing up sixty years ago, I needed two years of a foreign language to get into a California college/university. And some years later, I needed two years of a foreign language to graduate from an Oregon college/university. I guess it’s true that both high school and college have really been dumbed down.
Growing up 60 years ago meaning that you are in your late 70's?
Today? Many (every single college my college-aged kid applied to, at least) colleges want their applicants to have three years of a FL taken in HS - consecutive years & of the same FL.
Also, today, some colleges require two semesters of a FL to fulfill graduation requirements.
Other colleges don't require a FL based on a student's major.
For an example: My friend's son is a neuroscience major at Fordham. No FL req.
My son's girlfriend is a neuroscience major at a small liberal arts private college in NEPA. Two semesters of a FL req.
My father graduated from RU (undergrad) in the mid 60's (journalism major) . No FL requirement. Went to RIT for his post-grad (journalism/graphic arts), never took a FL. Was recruited by the secret service while at RIT. No FL required.
It’s a response to your assertion that no American should be learning a foreign language.
Well no American should have to learn a foreign language to communicate with people living in America and to be employed. I stand by what I meant and not your strawman version.
Well like I said the only people in America who need to learn a new language is those who don't speak English. English speaking Americans don't have to do anything language wise.
That’s the attitude of those who lack ambition. Similar to the other poster, I needed 3 years of a foreign language to graduate high school and at least 2 years in university.
With attitudes like yours, it is no wonder U.S. students are not as competitive globally.
That’s the attitude of those who lack ambition. Similar to the other poster, I needed 3 years of a foreign language to graduate high school and at least 2 years in university.
With attitudes like yours, it is no wonder U.S. students are not as competitive globally.
What a strawman that got created. How is taking a foreign language in school related to the matter at hand? If you don't take Spanish you still won't be able to communicate with most of the non-English speakers in America. And why don't the Hispanics and foreigners learn English, since you're so big on everyone learning a foreign language? English is a language most learning a 2nd language would want to learn. Why is the burden and responsibility of foreigners always placed on Americans? Why don't latin Americans learn English in school since so many of them plan to come here? They aren't very literate in Spanish even.
What a strawman that got created. How is taking a foreign language in school related to the matter at hand? If you don't take Spanish you still won't be able to communicate with most of the non-English speakers in America. And why don't the Hispanics and foreigners learn English, since you're so big on everyone learning a foreign language? English is a language most learning a 2nd language would want to learn. Why is the burden and responsibility of foreigners always placed on Americans? Why don't latin Americans learn English in school since so many of them plan to come here? They aren't very literate in Spanish even.
1. Taking a foreign language in school is directly related to your comment that Americans do not need to learn a foreign language. It is usually a requirement in school and makes one more competitive globally.
2. Taking a foreign language enables you to communicate with more people than speaking one language. It often makes you more competitive in the job market. One does not have to learn Spanish. Knowing Mandarin or Arabic is extremely useful in our time.
3. Who said Hispanics and other foreigners should not learn English? First and foremost, there are plenty foreigners already know English. Both of my parents knew English as a first language and spoke it better than plenty Americans. My father was trilingual when he came to the U.S. and my mother had second language skills as well. My comments to you are the same for any person who has an aversion to learning a foreign language.
4. Since when is the burden and responsibility of foreigners always placed on Americans? Please. Stop playing the victim. You are not.
5. As stated before, being bilingual is useful. It does not matter whether you are from the U.S., Mexico, Peru etc. My statements apply to ALL.
1. Taking a foreign language in school is directly related to your comment that Americans do not need to learn a foreign language. It is requirement in school and makes one more competitive globally.
2. Taking a foreign language enables you to speak to more people than speaking one language. It often makes you more competitive in the job market. One does not have to learn Spanish. Knowing Mandarin or Arabic is extremely useful in our time.
3. Who said Hispanics and other foreigners should not learn English? First and foremost, there are plenty foreigners already know English. Both of my parents knew English as a first language and spoke it better than most Americans. My father was trilingual when he came to the U.S. and my mother had second language skills as well. My comments to you are the same for any person who has an aversion to learning a foreign language.
4. Since when is the burden and responsibility of foreigners always placed on Americans? Please. Stop playing the victim. You are not.
5. As stated before, being bilingual is useful. It does matter whether you are from the U.S., Mexico, Peru etc. My statements apply to ALL.
Keep going with a strawman argument. Many probably most of the Hispanics coming and living in America don't/can't speak English and we are forced to accommodate them. I see them around my town all the time yammering away in Spanish.
Keep going with a strawman argument. Many probably most of the Hispanics coming and living in America don't/can't speak English and we are forced to accommodate them. I see them around my town all the time yammering away in Spanish.
So basically you are unable to address my comments and prefer to maintain a lazy attitude.
Well I got to go back to school to learn Spanish and I think Somali(? ) to communicate in America, I can't fit Strawmanese in .
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