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Spanish in particular, no, language(s), yes. Every child in Germany learns at least two other languages, usually English and something else. Americans should provide the best eduaction possible and learning another language is part of a well rounded education. Of-course that is just one part, the education system in this country is in need of a Major overhaul. I am not talking about vouchers, even though to some degree I see them as helpful, but not the cure all answer since so many would be left behind. Provide better funding, hire many more teachers, ensure that all schools have all the tools needed to provide a very good education, get rid of the TASS and other such tests and go back to midterm and finals testing, a child fails a subject they go to summer school, fail several subjects and they repeat the grade, remove zero tolerance rules, and hold teachers, supervisors and students accountable, those are just for starters. It is a disgrace that a nation as wealthy as ours cannot provide a good education to our children, if we do not we will be left behind in the world. The children of this nation are OUR future and we are not only investing in them but in ourselves and the future of this nation, never forget that.
Casper
I agree, it's very strange that our country is considered number one yet our students consistently fall behind students of other countries. Not that those countries don't deserve good students, I'm not trying to say it's us against them, however I do think that for all of the hip hip hooraying about our country, the education level needs to be much higher.
Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
26,700 posts, read 41,718,665 times
Reputation: 41376
Why when bi-lingualism is discussed, the other language has to be SPANISH?! Learning a second language helps but i think it should be done totally by choice. I dont think i should be forced to learn spanish because some folks dont want to learn english. I dont see anyone wanting me to learn tagalong, german, swedish, or arabic.
I took two years of French in HS mainly to get into college. Now i'm attending a university that dosent require a foreign language to get a degree (and it is an regionally accredited not-for-profit university if you are wondering.) Personally, i dont think i could learn a second language if i wanted to.
Foreign Language required? No. A good idea? Yes. Does it have to be SPANISH? H$#@ no!
Why when bi-lingualism is discussed, the other language has to be SPANISH?! Learning a second language helps but i think it should be done totally by choice. I dont think i should be forced to learn spanish because some folks dont want to learn english. I dont see anyone wanting me to learn tagalong, german, swedish, or arabic.
I took two years of French in HS mainly to get into college. Now i'm attending a university that dosent require a foreign language to get a degree (and it is an regionally accredited not-for-profit university if you are wondering.) Personally, i dont think i could learn a second language if i wanted to.
Foreign Language required? No. A good idea? Yes. Does it have to be SPANISH? H$#@ no!
No. It is useful to take a foreign language in high school, I took Japanese all four years, but there is not reason that foreign language needs to be Spanish.
No. It is useful to take a foreign language in high school, I took Japanese all four years, but there is not reason that foreign language needs to be Spanish.
I agree, it shouldn't be a requirement, yet it is a no-brainer. I mean, isn't english a requirement around the world? Yes yes yes, I know, english is the world's language apparently. However, considering our own country, it does make sense to learn spanish. And yes, they should learn english but to me, it just seems like what's the problem learning spanish? I don't know, I'm not sure why so many people are dead set against it.
Not just no but HELL NO!! The only career disadvantage is if you're looking for jobs working the counter in the food service industry, part of the cleaning crew, or landscaping - none of which I'm raising my child to do! The only thing I need to know in Spanish is "Take out the trash!" and "Cut the grass *this* long!"
Dora the Illegal Explorer is not welcome in mi casa, and Dragon Tales have been similarly banned. My three year old can communicate equally well in English and Russian, and seems to have acquired her mothers' gift of languages. (She also reads in Cyrillic at about a first grade level.)
How about we leave the choice of a second language up to the students and parents, and double up the English classes on those who can't speak it at a functional level? And as further motivation, let's get rid of "Press 2 for Spanish" on all of the phone menu systems and at the ATMs. When I visit Russia, no one provides customs or other forms printed in English nor do they go out of their way to speak English to me. When in Rome...
Not just no but HELL NO!! The only career disadvantage is if you're looking for jobs working the counter in the food service industry, part of the cleaning crew, or landscaping - none of which I'm raising my child to do! The only thing I need to know in Spanish is "Take out the trash!" and "Cut the grass *this* long!"
...
Yeah, you obviously haven't worked w/spanish speaking people ever. Heads up: it ain't just about the grass & the trash sweetheart.
Not just no but HELL NO!! The only career disadvantage is if you're looking for jobs working the counter in the food service industry, part of the cleaning crew, or landscaping - none of which I'm raising my child to do! The only thing I need to know in Spanish is "Take out the trash!" and "Cut the grass *this* long!"
Dora the Illegal Explorer is not welcome in mi casa, and Dragon Tales have been similarly banned. My three year old can communicate equally well in English and Russian, and seems to have acquired her mothers' gift of languages. (She also reads in Cyrillic at about a first grade level.)
How about we leave the choice of a second language up to the students and parents, and double up the English classes on those who can't speak it at a functional level? And as further motivation, let's get rid of "Press 2 for Spanish" on all of the phone menu systems and at the ATMs. When I visit Russia, no one provides customs or other forms printed in English nor do they go out of their way to speak English to me. When in Rome...
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