http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/ Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:44:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-8091 sjs Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:04:45 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-8091 I live in The Bronx where there are language barriers for monolingual English speakers. All Bronx kids and their parents should learn Spanish and English. I live in The Bronx where there are language barriers for monolingual English speakers. All Bronx kids and their parents should learn Spanish and English.

]]> http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-6640 Vie Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:58:26 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-6640 I think this is nice things if we learn about another language....It's a great thing.... I think this is nice things if we learn about another language….It’s a great thing….

]]> http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-6387 Jennifer M Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:58:25 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-6387 No the language of the United States is NOT English. The United States has no official language. Anyway, everywhere else in the world kids are learning a second language right from the earliest years. Our kids are at a huge disadvantage being monolingual. People are battling to get their kindergartners into the dual-language programs around the city...a sure sign that even the single-language programs should have some second language component! No the language of the United States is NOT English. The United States has no official language. Anyway, everywhere else in the world kids are learning a second language right from the earliest years. Our kids are at a huge disadvantage being monolingual. People are battling to get their kindergartners into the dual-language programs around the city…a sure sign that even the single-language programs should have some second language component!

]]> http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-6324 west side mom Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:33:33 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-6324 i agree--our son will be going to a public K, and while we love the school we do wish it offered a second language. Unlike the above poster, I think all of our kids do need to be learning second languages in order to keep up with the rest of the world. In addition, anyone who has ever studied a second language realizes that it helps you learn the rules of your own better too! i agree–our son will be going to a public K, and while we love the school we do wish it offered a second language. Unlike the above poster, I think all of our kids do need to be learning second languages in order to keep up with the rest of the world. In addition, anyone who has ever studied a second language realizes that it helps you learn the rules of your own better too!

]]> http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-6277 parent Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:52:16 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-6277 I disagree strongly with this. The language of the United States is English and learning that should be the first priority of every student who goes to school in this country. One year of foreign language is sufficient as a graduation requirement. Of course, languages should be offered for those who are interested or who may want a career in which it would be beneficial to have a second language. But it would be very hard to become fluent just taking classes in school, without a parent who speaks it or travel to another country. Why should we force foreign language requirements down the throats of those students who have no interest or need. And what language would you offer? Schools don't have the money to offer every language that exists. Future doctors and lawyers might want Latin, Asian students might want advanced chinese. New York might be diverse but this is the United States and all people who live here should be able to converse in English. Offer languages as electives, but don't force all students to take it. It is NOT necessary. I disagree strongly with this. The language of the United States is English and learning that should be the first priority of every student who goes to school in this country. One year of foreign language is sufficient as a graduation requirement. Of course, languages should be offered for those who are interested or who may want a career in which it would be beneficial to have a second language. But it would be very hard to become fluent just taking classes in school, without a parent who speaks it or travel to another country. Why should we force foreign language requirements down the throats of those students who have no interest or need. And what language would you offer? Schools don’t have the money to offer every language that exists. Future doctors and lawyers might want Latin, Asian students might want advanced chinese. New York might be diverse but this is the United States and all people who live here should be able to converse in English. Offer languages as electives, but don’t force all students to take it. It is NOT necessary.

]]> http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-6260 brooklyn mom Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:30:14 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/04/14/foreign-language-learning/#comment-6260 I absolutely agree and would love to see foreign language offered in elementary school, when language acquisition is easier. Why not more dual-language schools? I absolutely agree and would love to see foreign language offered in elementary school, when language acquisition is easier. Why not more dual-language schools?

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