I ask about those three languages mentoned above, because they are the most widely spoken in the world. German is a waste of time, because most Germans speak English. French at least is spoken in some African Countries...
Or do you believe that the world should learn English and Americans should not bother?
2007-10-19 17:22:34 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
It's beneficial to learn a second language for sure, but I don't think anyone should be forced to learn a second language.
Would it help them later in life, defiantly, But why should we force them to learn Spanish when we don't force Spanish speaking people who come here to learn English?
2007-10-19 17:33:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, I Think All American School Children Shouldn't Speak Anything But English.
Secondly, I Think The Whole World Should Speak A Single Common Language Only.
Too Many People Are Using Second And/Or Native Tongues To Hide What They Are Saying From Those That Cannot Speak It. It's Like Talking In Code To Keep Information From Others.
The Sooner Everyone Can Communicate Without Barriers And/Or Interpreters, The Better It Will Be For Everyone.
2007-10-20 01:18:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Well, I'm going to answer your question from a bit different angle.
Educationallly ( I do teach at university level) learning a foreign language is valuable--it develops cognitive skills and a broader perspective. Students with a reasonably good knowledge of another language do better in all areas.
WHICH language isn't that important from the educational standpoint. Picking a particular language for its potential utility is as good a reason as any--and better than most. That's an added skill to take into a career path--and a valuable one.
BTW--You missed a few o fthe useful ones: Japanese and Russian. And Hindustani--right now China is the next "up-and-coming" economic power--but India is hot on their heels and nobody is paying any attention.
2007-10-20 01:06:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I do think that our children should learn another language. I am 38 weeks pregnant and plan to teach my child American Sign Language and Spanish--because they are the only languages I know other than English. Learning another language is beneficial and has you aware of other cultures, not just what you hear about other cultures, but by communicating with other cultures. Learning these two languages is one of the best things that I have ever done for myself.
2007-10-20 02:33:29 · answer #4 · answered by Brooke S 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
One of my children takes classes in the second language of her heritage which is not widely spoken throughout the world. Thus she shares a special bond with her relatives and her culture. Why should she have to learn to speak the more popular 2nd languages any more than others in smaller foreign speaking countries should be forced to speak English...the second child takes Spanish as a sort of compromise.
2007-10-20 00:35:16 · answer #5 · answered by fantagirl 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Lets see, I can speak passably in Spanish (real spanish, not mexican), French and Italian. I would like to learn Japanese and possibly a nordic language.
English can be the world language, but ignorance of others cultures and languages is part of the reason why a lot of the world dislikes us.
2007-10-20 00:48:20 · answer #6 · answered by empd 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Yes, and the second language a lot of American children should learn is english. :-)
2007-10-23 21:13:01 · answer #7 · answered by jorst 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The source I found (http://anthro.palomar.edu/language/language_1.htm ) lists mandarin, hindi, english, and spanish as the most commonly spoken languages, in that order.
Regardless, I think it's valuable for children to learn a second language. Studies indicate that they are able to learn languages more easily when they're young and that learning multiple languages when young makes it easier to learn additional languages later in life, and being able to speak and read multiple languages is a useful skill.
2007-10-20 00:31:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
In Europe and many other counties -- learning more than one language is common -- because they understand that international trade relies on balance, and that balance includes each side being willing to make concessions during negotiations.
The US attitude that requires everyone else to learn our language is one reason why our trade deficit is so large -- and one reason we are perceived of as arrogant by other counties -- and that isn't a recent problem.
2007-10-20 00:38:32 · answer #9 · answered by coragryph 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
I think if you live in the United States, you should know english.
But im all for Americans learning new languages because you may need it one day
2007-10-20 00:31:50 · answer #10 · answered by No Gods, No Masters 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋