What is your opinion on different languages?
By rebelbecca19
@rebelbecca19 (31)
United States
June 19, 2011 11:41am CST
I have two friends currently in Spain on an Honors Study Abroad program until the end of July. They are only allowed to speak Spanish. They can't listen to English music, read English books, or do English homework. Their internet access is limited to one hour a week. It is a total immersion program and they've been there for about two weeks. One of them posted on Facebook, "Esta chica es at the point done puedo escribir half en ingles, parte en español, y es imposible hablar en ingles. OS ECHO DE MENOS!" Basically, she said "This girl is at the point where I can write half in English, Part in Spanish, and it is impossible to speak English. I MISS YOU ALL!"
Do you think that learning a different language is necessary? I have to take 3 years of foreign language to graduate High School, and while I don't mind it at all(I love Spanish and want to do the program my friends are in right now next summer!) some people really don't think it's necessary in order to graduate high school. They believe that they aren't going to use it after they've taken 3 years.
1 person likes this
10 responses
@petersum (4522)
• United States
19 Jun 11
As a British schoolboy, I had to learn French for six compulsory years. The French did the same, but steadfastly refused to speak any English. It was a very one sided affair that made one think the "The Hundred Years" war hadn't really ended at all.
In spite of that, learning languages is a useful task that will be of some use throughout your life. French has never been particularly useful for me, but the other seven languages that I learned have been very beneficial.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
19 Jun 11
I never had the opportunity to learn another language. I wish I could have.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
24 Jul 11
I don't really have a problem about different languages as long as I don't have to learn them.
Actually, knowing a foreign language really does serve some purpose. You can curse everybody you know without them knowing it.
Actually, knowing a foreign language really does serve some purpose. You can curse everybody you know without them knowing it.
@moirai (2853)
• Philippines
20 Jun 11
Oh, interesting! It is required in your place to learn a foreign language in high school? It is not a requirement here in our place - at least it wasn't a requirement during my time in high school, which is a long time ago. We are only required to learn the local language and english. Even in college, Spanish was removed from my course's curriculum so I never got to formally learn another language... 
Perhaps, it's necessary only if there is a significant amount of people in the area speaking another language. Personally, I would love to learn as many languages as I can. 
We are only required to learn the local language and english. Even in college, Spanish was removed from my course's curriculum so I never got to formally learn another language... Perhaps, it's necessary only if there is a significant amount of people in the area speaking another language. Personally, I would love to learn as many languages as I can. 
@kingsulit (38)
• Philippines
20 Jun 11
It is ok to have different language but do not forget to speak and learn english language, that is our universal language, even you are in different place or country english is commonly used to communicate. So if you learned their language then that is the time to speak with their native language. Top language I would like to learn is:
1. Spanish
2. Mandarin
3. French
4. Nihonggo
Hehe.. that's it.
@Eternal7x (25)
•
2 Jul 11
I don't think those things are really needed.
You can learn a language from listening native people speaking it, then trying to make a thread to speak about. To learn English I used to join in chatrooms and listen people speaking, then I said some things too.. They laughed at my accent, but I've gotten better from that.
Here in Spain we're forced to learn "Basic English", and you'd laugh at some people's 2nd language level. Anyway, you can't force a person to do programs to learn another language.
If you're motivated enough to learn another language, you'll learn much faster it.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
19 Jun 11
Learning a new language depends, for me, if it's actually needed. If it's not necessary then I don't. It sounds cool, though, if you know a lot language because you'll understand more people than the ordinary. It's also a plus to a lot of chicks so if given the chance to learn another language, I might take it.
It's also a plus to a lot of chicks so if given the chance to learn another language, I might take it. @kingparker (9673)
• United States
19 Jun 11
Some people might believe that foreign language is useless in the soil of The United States, but for me, I think that is an opportunity for you and your future career. I don't know if people like to learn other languages besides their mother tongue. But it is an interesting thing to do though. So, what your friend did was a right choice, and I start to like this program too.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
19 Jun 11
I don't think it is mandatory everywhere to take a foreign language. I never took one but my brother took French and Spanish. I wanted to take Spanish but my guidance counselor wouldn't let me. He said my English grades were not high enough. I think it is good to study foreign languages. It can always prove to be useful. But I don't think it should be a requirement to graduate.
@RebelBandGeek12 (129)
• United States
19 Jun 11
I think that it's important to learn different languages because it broadens cultural awareness and can be useful in a future job. In America, the Spanish-speaking population is growing rapidly and this needs to be addressed. People say that you should speak English if you live in America, but we really don't have an official language. Schoolchildren should learn other languages even if they won't use them later because teaching the language also teaches them about the culture that surrounds it and teaches them respect for that culture.
