Spanish in Schools

[Rosalind]

Quote:
+1. There is a big complicated economics argument about the relative merits of cheap labor, but realistically cheap labor + half-hearted regulation = less capitalist competition. The winning corporations are the ones that can afford the lobbyists and the bribes/lawyers to get them out of whatever trouble they find themselves in, while the small businesses run at risk or get put out of business for doing the same thing their wealthier competitors do. Paying a living wage and operating through the "usual channels" of distributors/retailers with their associated markups means that the only market is the upscale boutiques. Hence the successful businesses that pay living wages are typically the ones that sell direct to consumer. At least the internet helps a bit there.

At any rate. Has anyone tried the Rosetta Stone language system?

Yes, I have the Hindi one. It works, kind of, except if you pick a language (like, say, Hindi) where there are multiple dialects, the lessons will be for the most common, upper-class official dialect. People who speak a different dialect (e.g. someone from Uttar Pradesh vs. someone from Mumbai) won't really understand you. But it's not just CDs, it's a computer program that checks your pronunciation, and you have to click through the lessons and take quizzes to get to the next lesson. Don't see that working in the car.​

 

[beak]

Thanks for the info.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I wish any second language would be taught in elementary school. The earlier the exposure, the easier a language is learned. I'd add it after school, but the kiddos can't really fit anything else in. At my kids' school, Hindi (or a south Indian language) or Chinese might make the most sense, due to the number of native speakers at the school. At my children's elementary school there are native speakers of many different langauges including: Dutch, Hindi, Spanish, French, German, Vietnamese, Chinese, Urdu, Portuegese, and many others.

A second language can only benefit children. I have friends who have taken a wide variety of different jobs because they have language skills. It opens up so much opportunity.

 

[Godsgrl]

My oldest had to take a foreign language in high school, and didn't want to take Spanish. They may have offered French, I'm not sure. Anyway, ds chose Latin, and took it as an online course at home. He really enjoyed it, and took it for 2 years.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

This thread is taking a turn for the nasty.

Play nice, and the Staff will keep it open.

 

[hikerchick]

Quote:
Really English is not our language that's weird I would swear that in this country we have been speaking English since the beginning of this great nation.

So I say English Is are Official language and if you can not speak it read it you shouldn't be able to vote or get a driver license.

Just my 2 cents

you can call it whatever you like, it still isn't our national language. It is considered an immigrant language, the same as Spanish. The only native American languages are those of Native Americans.

Perhaps we should all switch to those languages, since we are such purists.

 

[rufus]

Well since the thread has taken a nasty turn, let me add another two cents.

Someone mentioned the opportunities for people leaning Farsi and Arabic. It reminded me of my uncles that were so unfortunate as to be in the Phillipines when the Japanese arrived.

One uncle had done a six year mission in Japan. When he spoke Japanese to his captors, they cut his tounge out. Then they shot him. My other uncle kept his mouth shut and survived.

Sometimes it is not so much a question of communication as understanding and knowing when to shut up.

Rufus

 

[TillinWithMyPeeps]

Quote:
Are you suggesting that people should not learn Farsi, Arabic, or other Middle Eastern languages because there is a very small risk something bad could happen?

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Can't say you were not warned......