Foreign Language: High School or Elementary School?

[Kaity Drahos]

I'm sure we've all heard how in other countries, language classes start in elementary school. As I got to know my foreign exchange student, I found out that she has been studying english for 9 years. So my question is, why do we not start learning foreign languages in school until 7th grade?

 

 According to Diane Bales at http://www.fcs.uga.edu/pubs/current/FACS01-6.html, learning a language is easier before the age of 10. After that, your brain's language connections are well-established to your first language. Once we get so set in our ways, it is harder to pick up other languages.

 

As a student struggling my way through High School Spanish class, I really wish I had started earlier. It's such an important skill to have when looking for a job, and it such an easy thing to fix. I personally don't see any reason to hold it back. Sure, when I was in elementary school we had "spanish club" but it didn't teach anything and didn't meet enough. I think adding a foreign language subject to public elementary schools would be beneficial to everyone.

 

 

What do you think? Would adding foreign language to elementary schools be beneficial?

[Keely Ward]

Your mind is so much more open to new languages at an earlier age. It would make so much sense to add foreign language in to elementary schools. My sister took an optional class when she was in 5th grade, but it was an hour long once a week so she got very little benefit from it. If she was taught it in school at least a few times a week at that age I'm sure she would have gotten a lot from it.

[JohnPaulus V Arcangel]

Oh language should definitely start in elementary school.  Early elementary too, heck as early as possible is best. I learned tagalog because my parents spoke it a ton, and before I went to school I was very fluent in it. And to this day I can still speak it even thought I haven't had a good solid tagalog conversation in a long time.

[Halle Gitelson]

language should totally be started in elementrey school! they say that is easier to learn when youre youn ger so why not? its someting that will take you far in life and everyone should have that under their belt for the future!

[Katie Hughes]

I definitely believe that language should be started as soon as possible. I have been in choir sine kindergarten and most of the songs I have sang were in a different language because it was easier for us little kids to sing in a different language than the older kids. I wish that I had been able to get the opportunity to learn a language while I was young.

[Lauren Olson]

I wish I would have started foreign language early on. Its easier for elementary school children to learn a new language. Also, elementary school children would be much for enthusiastic to learn a new language, so they might actually learn more.

[Darby Douglas]

I think starting foreign language studies before jr. high would be pretty smart. Right now in highschool, we're still kind of developing our second language skills and learning new things. If we started earlier, at this time in high school we'd probably be fine tuning and perfecting our second language. Plus, when the French exchange students came to Fremd, they spoke English very well. They had been studying it a lot longer than most of us have French. It was a shame that even though we were the same age and in the same grade, the french students were better at speaking English than we were French. They're getting more out of their language by being able to use it so well, which is what really matters when using a second language in your career/ work.

[Rachel Izydorek]

i think adding foreign languages to elementary schools would be really beneficial. America is so behind on culture and language. I mean we're the country that says "you're in America, speak English (or American for those who truly need an education)" It's ridiculous that we are so callous in how we deal with foreigners. I know people who know three or four languages fluently because they went to a private school that taught them Spanish, Japanese, and French. They have a huge advantage in the business world. They can travel and translate, i can maybe understand half of what someone said in French. Our country doesnt have enough emphasis on foreign language and when it comes to international business, Americans wont succeed as well as those from countries who start teaching different languages in elementary school. Honestly, when i have kids, they'll be fluent Spanish, English, French, and Arabic  by the time they're 12. It's tough, but if they are to succeed and be the best, thats what it takes these days.

[Ben Luke]

I don't think that foreign language is necessary in elementary schools. Nearly everyone speaks English, even if it is broken English. I know everyone says knowing a second language is very helpful, but when I went to Mexico, nearly everyone spoke English and I didn't use any of my Spanish skills, learned in class.