Why don't more people want to learn the Spanish Language?

Question

Learning a foreign lanugage opens countless opportunities, and in other countries, the norm is bi/multi-lingualism. Americans seem to value being monolingual, thinking that everyone should simply learn English. The knowledge of other languages such as Vietnamese, French, and Italian are very useful in certain parts of this country, but at large, Spanish is the most useful. I would just like to: 1) hear from people that don't want to learn other languages, particularly Spanish, 2) Hear why those that did learn another language choose to do so.

Answer 1

I'm from the U.S. and I do speak Spanish. Being from the U.S. I thought for a long time I couldn't learn a second language. Now I know better.

Our Education system doesn't value learning foreign languages. It's not offered in most schools until high school. When I went to college, it was not a requirement to gain admittance. The teachers, as a general rule, didn't begin learning a foreign language until late in life, so they don't understand the importance of beginning earlier. As a result, many people have the opinion that learning a foreign language is not important.

I think also, some people who are interested in learning a foreign language feels a little like Spanish is being forced down our throats by people coming in to the U.S. who refuse to learn English, expecting us to learn Spanish, which creates a certain level of animosity toward the language. Just read a few questions here. You'll see it.

I chose to learn another language, when my daughter was learning Spanish in High School. My wife, who had Spanish in College, was helping her and I was feeling left out.

Answer 2

Well, I think that those that refuse to learn a language other than english are stuck in the fifties, when that was all you needed.
Besides, refusing to learn other languages denotes pride, arrogance, ethnocentrism, believing that the world spins around the USA and the english. That is a very primitive idea, not compatible with the 3rd millennium, 21th century, etc.
As far as I know , frequently people who learn other languages do so either because they like it, or they believe that it will make them improved human beings, or they will have access to information that otherwise would be very difficult to find, or because you need it .
Besides, when you learn languages as a youngster you never know when you might need them in the future

Answer 3

I chose to learn Spanish to broaden my horizons. I went to Mexico when I was 16 for foriegn exchange. I lived there for one year. It was the best time of my life. I think that people need to know more then one language to participate better in the world, since people immigrate to this and other countries. I know the frustrations first hand of not being able to get my point across, so its nice to help other people. I want to use Spanish to help me go more places in the world. I also plan to learn French and Dutch.

Answer 4

I took 4 years of Spanish in High School and cant hold a conversation. I never used it after high school and I guess if a took some refresher courses i could, but who knows.

Funny thing is I deal with alot of people internationally and never have had a problem of anyone not speaking English.

Answer 5

I took "American Sign Language" (ASL) in High School, An i still use it today, it's very helpful.

I will not learn "Spanish" , only cause I feel no need to. If you cant speak to me in English or ASL , then I have No need to speak to you.

Answer 6

I think Pasteur is not only right but clear. I fully agree with him.

Answer 7

That language is so stupied and English is the only one we Americans need to know!

Answer 8

si entiendo lo que quieres decir.... i know what you mean... are you bi or multilingual?