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Posted May 4, 2009 1:32 AM
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I'm not sure I have the best ideas on how to create the language bridge, though I feel it is very important. I think that when we don't have a strong tie to our heritage and culture of origin we lose a good part of ourselves and our identity, not to mention the knowledge that comes with that language and culture.
I think that learning one's native (or parents' native) tongue in school, and having it be a part of daily life is important. It would be best if it could also be used in our legal/government life, but that may not be as possible in the U.S., where we are a melting pot and yet have only one official language (India, for example, has hundreds of languages, as we do, and designates 38 as "official" languages used in government).
I know, however, that many native American languages are being revitalized through school programs for children, as well as through preservation in government use. Another successful example of keeping a language alive and promoting use and understanding, is in Brazil, where the government provides subsidies and grants to populations that continue to pass on their language to the next generation and can prove its consistent use and comprehension.
I think it is particularly important in the Americas to promote an understanding of other languages and cultures because we have such a large variety in our countries. People have immigrated from all over the world to become citizens of the Americas and we should be able to gain from that. The U.S. is not about assimilation into a generic culture, language, and belief set, but is rather about preserving our own unique cultures, languages, and beliefs -- think back to many of the first colonists who came here to escape persecution and preserve their own religion.
Given the number of races and cultures that have made the U.S. their home, we offer an inadequately small selection for study in most schools, and often don't offer language study until students are too old to acquire fluency easily. A wider set of options, and earlier offerings would also help. I also agree that courses would be more interesting for youth if travel were a part of the curriculum. But that is also difficult here, particularly in this economy, with all-time lows in school and educational funding. More exchange programs might be a cheaper way to make things work. Middle school (6-8 grade) doesn't seem to young to send a child abroad for one semester. This would help not only strengthen language skills, but also with creating bridges it seems, since too few children in the U.S. ever have the opportunity to travel to another country, and thus the opportunity to truly experience and appreciate another culture.
Proving the usefulness of bilingualism (even with minor languages) is also a way to promote language education. Most jobs in the world that require multilinguals are held by non-Americans. Learning another language is incredibly useful in job searches later in life (often even for local jobs like sales). These days it can be just as important in landing a job as a good personality or job-specific skills.
As far as acquiring teachers for various languages, I think that in this case an exchange program could also be a good option. Teachers exchange in programs like the Fullbright, from vastly different cultures, for a semester or a year. This provides the students even better access to a culture. It may also be more motivating and interesting to have someone foreign teaching them, rather than someone from their own country who has fluency in a language -- the exchange teacher can provide photos and true insight into life in another country.
Aside from that, the idea of movies and TV shows is good, but I also think reading in a foreign language (if it is a written language) can be great for kids. Harry Potter, for example, has been translated into tons of different languages, and each time with changes to make it more accessible to speakers of that language -- comparing the differences could be fun for kids. Or translating local stories and myths they are not familiar with can be exciting -- like solving a puzzle.
I agree that when you get older, another language can be a distinguishing skill, and a source of pride. It's getting the next generation interested (and getting the adults to want them to learn, and even to want to teach them) that's a challenge.
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Posted Oct 6, 2008 3:23 AM
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In order to preserve our heritage language should our schools offer or require a wider option of languages for students to choose from? How do the schools make it intersting enough for the students to want to take other languages. Also, how would schools acquire and pay teachers to accommodate various languages.
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Posted Jul 23, 2008 2:59 PM
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i think movies, soap operas and music in foreign language can perk up the interest of the younger crowd. Making the kids travel is also helpful.
I can't tell you how many friends i have that regret not learning their parents' language when they were young. When you're young, you want to assimilate to your friends. When you get older, you kind of want to distinguish yourself from others, and knowing a language is one way of doing that.
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Posted Jul 23, 2008 2:15 PM
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Interesting concept.
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Posted Jul 22, 2008 6:03 PM
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Some families have strong ties to their country and culture of origin, though the newest generations may not have picked up the languages spoken by those who came before. What are some ways we can preserve or create a language bridge between generations? How can we promote understanding through language education?
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