I believe that it is important for all people to study and
learn a second language. My opinion does, however, only refers to a certain
level of schooling. By the time we are the University level, we already have an
idea, sometimes an exact knowledge, of what we wish to become certified in and
have a degree in. I think that although students may still discover that they
are unsure of what they want to do when they are older, they usually generally
know that they have an interest in art, science, math, ect. I don't believe
that forcing them into taking a foreign language is necessary because if people
think the subject is interesting, they will make it a part of their lives. In
my own case, I believe that required science classes for instance are of little
use to me at the University level. I already have a brief understanding of
science concepts and ideas, but I am not trying to become an expert in that
field. If this question was asking about having foreign language required in
elementary, middle or even high school, my answer would be very different. I
believe that the purpose of attending college is to become more proficient in
the field (and relating fields) that you will be working in once you graduate.
If we can teach our students to have an interest in foreign
language at a young age, then we can hope that this interest stays with them
later in life. If they have even a
small understanding of the importance of learning a second language, then they
may try to make learning a second language into part of their lives. Although I believe that it is important
for all people to learn a second language, I do not necessarily believe that it
is useful for every person. Some
people find jobs and social situations where a foreign language is useful, but
others may never encounter a situation like this. I believe that teaching a foreign language in Elementary, Middle and High School is important to demonstrate the importance of this subject for all students. For example, if I was never taught science in school (or only a few days a week throughout my education) I would not have an interest in the subject. I understand that science is important to learn and have a basic understanding of in life, but I do not find it very useful in my everyday life. This is how many people approach learning a foreign language. They understand that it COULD have use in their life, but they do not have an interest in it. This is why I believe that taking a required foreign language class at the university level may sometimes lead students to have an interest in the subject, but I believe that case is rare.
Although I didn't write my own post with emphasis on foreign language requirements at the university level specifically...I think you make a great point that it shouldn't necessarily be required in college because most of us already have a vague idea of what we would like to studying when we get to this point. At the same time, if we aren't totally sure we always have a little room in our schedules to try out a new subject before we commit to a career path. It is important that we have kids in elementary, middle, and high school take a foreign language just like any other subject because that is when they are still deciding what they do and do not want to do with their lives post-graduation.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. I don't think it is possible to require foreign language at the college level or even of use to everyone. I agree that we should try to expose younger students to other languages whenever possible. Like I said in my post however, a required culture course may be of use to everyone. We all live in the same world, so promoting understanding of other cultures is very important. Perhaps this would be a gateway to learning languages. College students may fin a particular culture interesting and then decide to persue that language. It never can hurt to gain a greater understanding of the world.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with you when you say that getting students interested in foreign languages at a young age may be the key. By getting students at young ages to study foreign languages, I think it may solve the problem of language requirements at the university level. The problem is not the university level courses or their requirements, it is the lack of teaching when the students are younger. Perhaps one solution would be to make a foreign language a requirement for acceptance to the university in the first place. If the university's desire is to create these "well-rounded" students, then why not start with the admission process.
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