American schools are laidback with the push of language learning to say the least, as if the extension of knowledge and ability to communicate with millions is unimportant to them. Students in other countries know two or more languages, english most likely being one of them. English is not the most widely spoken language, in fact it is Chinese and Spanish that take the lead, and everyone at one point in time has met or will meet a person that does not speak English fluently. Is it everyone’s responsibility to learn English just for people that can’t be bothered to learn, or is it our job to learn the languages, or at least try, so that America doesn’t completely break away from worldwide communication. There should be mandatory second language …show more content…
Scientists have proven that bilinguals improves cognitive skills and show lower signs of dementia. In a New York Times article written by Yudhijit Bhattacharjee 2004 study toddlers were told to sort blue circles and red squares, first by color and then by shapes, overall the bilingual toddlers did better. Knowing multiple languages affects the development and efficiency of the brain's control system. Although being bilingual does not make you more intelligent, it does give an academic advantage over a monolingual in the big picture. For instance the National Center for Biotechnology Information has stated that being bilingual at older ages is associated with …show more content…
If everyone knew more than one language then the language barrier could be diminished or barely even noticeable. Jobs desire bilinguals, because they have the ability to connect with others in a natural way. With mandatory language courses in American schools American civilians, both in and out of school can communicate with locals in a foreign land or foreigners in local place on a deeper level than simple greetings. We human beings are social animals, but this invisible divide is the limiting factor that keeps everyone from socializing with different people. I like to imagine the fulfillment of understanding one's culture through their native tongue instead of mine to have a conversation that transcends the basic hola or annyeonghaseyo with heavy and meaningful topics. With the world increasingly advancing with social media becoming one of the main ways to socialize, knowing another language has never been more important, people can talk to someone halfway across the world with one tap of a finger. Finally, American schools should introduce mandatory language learning courses because it allows for a different perspective to what was previously thought about the world. It raises awareness about one's surroundings, the culture, the people, the ideas. A study from Newcastle University found that being bilingual actually really does
Bilingual teaching in American schools is it good, bad, or both? Who is right in this national debate? Both sides make some impressive arguments for their side of the issue. Even the government has mixed issues when it comes to bilingual teaching. However, the government has shown their views in their budgets and their law making. Another question comes up with the bilingual teaching is should America make English its official language? Some say there is no need for it, and yet 22 states as of 1996 declared English their official language. Looking into some of these issues may bring some insight as to what the problem may be.
Just as the Native Americans had to learn English from the Pilgrims, immigrant children need bilingual education to help them learn English. Everyone expects the immigrants to be able to speak English immediately, but that is rarely the case; they need time to learn our culture. In order for immigrants to succeed in this nation it is recommended that they learn English and every American should try to help them learn it. By immigrant children learning English through bilingual education they not only get keep their culture, but also learn the language to help them become successful in America. The Encyclopedia of Education says, “In most areas of the United States approximately 70 percent of the native-born currently are adopting English as their usual language” (Glenn). This ...
Americans have hidden behind the excuse that everybody important knows English for too long. The United States is the only country in the world where a student can graduate from college without ever having learned a foreign language. Most countries start foreign language instruction at ten years of age or younger. It is time we did something ourselves and stopped letting everyone else do the work. One credit of foreign language instruction should be required in order for graduation from high school in Laramie County School District Number One.
Right now, imagine a person in a future job. More than likely that person will encounter somebody speaking a language besides their native tongue. If someone would find themselves in that position, would they be prepared? There is a growing need for translators and other jobs that require a different language other than English. Demands for bilingual workers have doubled in the past five years, and employers say that job is now one of the highest requests by employers when applying for a job opportunity in the US. The Army, NYPD, and the State Department all can’t get enough workers with this important job skill (Kurtz). A second language should be mandatory in American schools because it makes employees more marketable, creates social interaction with different cultures, and increases cognitive skills.
Suppose your child has been moved to China. Your child does not speak Chinese; is it the school system's responsibility to teach your child in English? Or should your child be expected to learn in the country's language and perhaps get extra help on the side? Why should a school district spend money on bilingual classes rather than on reducing class sizes?
There are more than 6,500 languages around the world. We can't control where we are born nor what will be our native language. Although, we can choose which we are going to speak as a second language. Speaking more than one language has obvious benefits in today's internationally growing world, and it has become common to know more than one. Being bilingual is a benefit, that one is never too old nor too ahead to experience and learn from
Education is very important. There use to be a time when you didn’t have to go to school. When it was only important for men to have an education. Times have really changed. Now it is crucial for everyone in our society to have an education. Survival is the main reason: a cohesive society is another. Our schools today need to keep Bilingual education as a tool for teaching: not only for the sake of our society but also for the sense of our culture.
First benefit is a better achievement in school and academically. Studies show that bilingual children have better reading and writing skills, also easily can learn third language. Carey Myles says: "Bilingualism has been linked to a variety of positive cognitive benefits, including early reading, improved problem-solving skills, and higher scores on the SATs, including the math section." Myles also claims that bilingual children have been shown to demonstrate "better listening perception" and that they "recognize that language is symbolic and are more skilled in communication” (2003). Also,research found that bilingual kids are able to better concentrate, stay focused on a subject in a classroom. Because this is an important factor, these children have a greater readiness and success in school. (Lust, B., 2006).
Being bilingual can improve skills in many different subjects. Not only does it improve reading, but being bilingual can help improve math grades. Being bilingual gives a person the opportunity to understand the meanings of foreign plays, songs, and dances. Also, being bilingual looks very good on college and university applications. “Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.”
... how to speak fluently in two languages is because they think it will confuse their child and mess them up with their first language, which is wrong. Children can benefit from being bilingual when it comes to schooling, because knowing more than one language can help that child figure things out easier and simpler than a monolingual would know how to do. Jobs also have a big effect on bilingual people, they can attract business, and many companies need people who are bilingual. Music is also factors because many people listen to it daily learn many things about themselves and who they are. People usually do not think music can be such an effect on people’s lives and their culture but it does and there is proof of it. Overall, teaching a child to be fluent in more than on language will have many positive effects on him/her and will benefit from them completely.
All Students Should be Required to Study a Foreign Language Educators historically have argued over the propriety of offering various academic courses. One recent yet continuing argument on American college campuses tends to pit school against school, professor against professor, student against student, school against professor, professor against student and student against school. The issue is whether or not courses in a foreign language should be required to attain a Bachelor's degree. Some believe the idea is absurd, while others believe it is a progressive move toward 21st century education.
A lot of high school students take a foreign language because they need it for college, but is this requirement necessary? Many colleges require two to three years of foreign language with some Ivy League and others requiring up to four years. This requirement seems like a lot, and it takes up space in one’s schedule. Most high schoolers want this requirement abolished, but it has some benefits. Colleges should require students to have studied foreign language because students will be able to explore different cultures, knowing two or more languages helps with test scores, and students will have more career opportunities.
It can also help you get a better paying job. “For example, government workers in California who hold bilingual positions earn an extra $.58 an hour, according to the state's Department of Personnel Administration Web site. In Washington County, Ore., employees in "bilingual positions" who spend 15-20 percent of their time in "regular and frequent use" of their bilingual skills earn an extra $30 per pay period.” This is only one example, but there's many other examples where when people know more than two languages they get paid more than a person who only knows one language. I believe that if you know more than two languages you are useful for more things.
Additionally, it’s mandatory for students to learn at least one foreign language. According to the “Foreign Language Enrollments in K-12 Public Schools,” “Only 18.5% of K-12 public school students in the U.S. enrolled in foreign language courses.” Therefore, America is not as invested in foreign language education as Europe and it puts America behind as a country. In the United States, “Higher education needs the capacity to serve as a resource on the politics, economics, religions, and cultures of countries across the globe, countries whose positions on the world stage change over time, often in unpredictable ways" (O'Connell and Norwood, 1). Americans don’t have as much knowledge about foreign languages because Americans do not have as much interest in it as other countries.
As job opportunities rise so does the skill needed to get them. Most American students in public schools have the choice to learn a foreign language, but many do not take it. Students now no longer see the importance of knowing a new language other than English, and that is the reason why foreign language classes should be a requirement in public high schools. One reason that a foreign language class should be a requirement is because knowing more than one language isn’t as important like how it once was. As Berman states “The real language crisis is the exceptionally low level of second-language skills that Americans display” (The Real Language Crisis).