Why learn a language?
After spending 5 years at university studying French and German and now embarking on a career in journalism, I am beginning to consider the merits of learning a foreign language.
It is compulsory in England to learn a foreign language up to the age of 14, but there is often little done to encourage pupils to carry this on and frequently little desire. Perhaps it is the languages on offer which is the problem. French and German are usually the only options and some children find it difficult to see the relevance of these languages to their lives. English (American) on the other hand is much more attractive as many youngsters watch American television and movies, or listen to music with English lyrics. Basically, it has the "cool" factor. This may explain the vast gap between the abilities of many English students and their counterparts overseas.
Learning a foreign language such as French or German can help with English grammar and syntax. Grammar is often sidelined in the English language curriculum, but by learning a foreign language, you are forced to learn the names of tenses, and general basic grammar. It has been shown that young children are much more capable of learning languages and the promotion of this can help to develop creativity, problem solving and memory.
Unfortunately, a passion for languages is normally a result of excellent teaching and when this is not the case, pupils' enthusiasm wanes. Learning a language is not just being able to speak it. It is also a lesson in culture. Language exchanges are extremely useful and allow students to live the life of a foreign peer. This is obviously dependent on money and so many pupils lose out. Perhaps the way forward would be to involve language assistants or highlight the significance of non-English pupils' languages and cultures in school.
Foreign language teaching is too often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. The fear of the immensity of the subject can also be a turn off, but language learning, like anything else, comes in different levels. You don't have to be fluent but making the effort to speak the language in a foreign country shows goodwill and manners.
Speaking another language opens many doors, and it doesn't have to be the languages you were taught at school. The School of Oriental and African Studies, London, is one of the few universities in the UK to offer languages such as Kurdish and Swahili and many students realise the benefits of this. Having an extra language demonstrates an interest in others and you can have some fun doing it.
"Those who know nothing of foreign languages,
know nothing of their own."
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
It is compulsory in England to learn a foreign language up to the age of 14, but there is often little done to encourage pupils to carry this on and frequently little desire. Perhaps it is the languages on offer which is the problem. French and German are usually the only options and some children find it difficult to see the relevance of these languages to their lives. English (American) on the other hand is much more attractive as many youngsters watch American television and movies, or listen to music with English lyrics. Basically, it has the "cool" factor. This may explain the vast gap between the abilities of many English students and their counterparts overseas.
Learning a foreign language such as French or German can help with English grammar and syntax. Grammar is often sidelined in the English language curriculum, but by learning a foreign language, you are forced to learn the names of tenses, and general basic grammar. It has been shown that young children are much more capable of learning languages and the promotion of this can help to develop creativity, problem solving and memory.
Unfortunately, a passion for languages is normally a result of excellent teaching and when this is not the case, pupils' enthusiasm wanes. Learning a language is not just being able to speak it. It is also a lesson in culture. Language exchanges are extremely useful and allow students to live the life of a foreign peer. This is obviously dependent on money and so many pupils lose out. Perhaps the way forward would be to involve language assistants or highlight the significance of non-English pupils' languages and cultures in school.
Foreign language teaching is too often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. The fear of the immensity of the subject can also be a turn off, but language learning, like anything else, comes in different levels. You don't have to be fluent but making the effort to speak the language in a foreign country shows goodwill and manners.
Speaking another language opens many doors, and it doesn't have to be the languages you were taught at school. The School of Oriental and African Studies, London, is one of the few universities in the UK to offer languages such as Kurdish and Swahili and many students realise the benefits of this. Having an extra language demonstrates an interest in others and you can have some fun doing it.
"Those who know nothing of foreign languages,
know nothing of their own."
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
posted by Mary-Ann at 12:42 pm
7 Comments:
I definitely think that this would be the way forward. It is very important to highlight different nationalities in schools and offer language exchanges within schools.
Surely it would make sense to offer Punjabi or Hindi in England when it is so widely spoken. Language teaching has to move with the times. So much could be achieved through the use of the internet and particularly through the use of popular culture in language teaching.
You've got a lovely style of writing. And I agree with you. I would have loved to learn some languages properly and be able to travel with them. It's so important when it comes to enjoying another culture and country. I don't understand it when people come here and only speak in their own languages and vice versa.
This is spot on! At my school only French and German were offered, and the teaching was dull and uninspiring. I would have loved to have learnt Spanish, Italian or maybe something like Japanese...
I also really cringe when I go abroad and see English people making no effort whatsoever with the local language, not even learning simple greetings. What must they think of us!
Unfortunately, it's usually only with age that learning a language becomes interesting. Emphasis has to be placed on the relevance of studying a language i.e. not just to be pass an exam.
I really agree with you on this Mary-Ann. I always wanted to learn more langauages, and wish I had done what you did for your degree. Instead I learn about English Literature and really don't see where the benefit lies in that. I want to learn Japanese and Mandarin quite a lot I just have to save the money to do the courses :)
Sarah
It is expensive. That's why it's so important to make it interesting for children still at school.
I think the best inexpensive way to learn is to do language exchanges with foreign students.
Completely agree- I wrote a very similar post the other day.
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