Thursday, March 29, 2007
I’ve been studying French for five years now. It wasn’t until recently that I’ve felt that I’ve learned anything, and I know why.
As a culture, Americans are very xenophobic. People who buy foreign cars are “Un-American” and forget mentioning that you listen to a foreign music artist, or watch foreign movies. We grow up believing we’re the best. It’s shoved down our throats in grade school and even in high school and all the nastier facts and blunders are hidden behind rose-colored glasses. We’ve got a high standard of living, a good economy, and individual rights that some people only dream of having in their countries. But Americans need to realize that we are far from perfect.
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I’m well aware that some majors have a language requirement and not all students want to learn a foreign language. Their goal is not to master it, but to pass the classes so they can graduate.
According to Eurydice.org, at least half of all students in the majority of Europe start learning a language in grade school. Some start earlier. Many of those countries require students to start a third language, if only for a year. In Luxembourg, nearly 80 percent of all students learn two foreign languages. English is the most common language taught to European children.
And here in America, we feel that since our European counterparts are learning our language, we aren’t obligated to learn theirs. Typically, foreign language courses aren’t introduced until high school, and according to Actfl.org, only 43.8 percent of high school students were enrolled in a foreign language in 2000. The number is increasing, but it is still not good enough. Studies have proved that it is easier to gain command of a language when it is introduced at a younger age. Of the 19 states that reported data to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, only 5 percent of K-6th graders were enrolled in foreign language courses.
We tend to believe English is simple. Very rarely do we stop to look at the complexities of our own language. We can think of probably three or four ways to say something in English, but why should we bother attaining the same level of proficiency in another language class?
I’m well aware that some majors have a language requirement and not all students want to learn a foreign language. Their goal is not to master it, but to pass the classes so they can graduate.
To them I say this: The University of Kansas offers more than 30 different language programs. I find it difficult to believe that someone has never wanted to learn another language. Pick one. Studying a foreign language has proved to not only deepen your understanding of your native tongue, but also lead to larger salaries in the job market. The benefits of learning a foreign language outweigh the minor inconveniences.
The most difficult part is overcoming the notion that English is superior to every other language. Forget that English is your native tongue, and you will learn.
Our world is becoming increasingly more connected. We, as Americans, need to pull our metaphorical heads out of our behinds and realize that the world cannot and will not conform to our standards.
Melissa Johnson
Joliet, Ill. freshman
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Guest column: Foreign language is power
Bravo, Melissa Johnson. Three cheers for you and U.Kansas ("offers more than 30 different language programs") from an Australian virtual visitor. One of our languages teachers spotted your article and circulated the URL. I heard a Jordanian prince/politician say a year ago the most dangerous people in the world today are those with absolute certainty that they are right. I think foreign language study is so valuable because it makes you see that that your own mind, culture, language, everything are just one set of many many legitimate ways of living human life. In fact, even our grandkids will look on our lifestyle and attitudes (and mistakes) as strange and silly. Diversity and change are everywhere in nature. Immature people feel fear and insecurity in the face of natural, enriching difference. Some actually enjoy being obstinately ignorant, especially those handicapped with monolingualism and monoculturalism. They should get out more. Phillip Mahnken, Queensland, Australia
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