In order to attend college at a UNC system school, students are required to take at least two foreign language courses. While this is a beneficial requirement, it does not ensure lasting language abilities beyond high school. In foreign countries, such as the Hispanic country Argentina, and European countries like France and Germany, students learn their native language, as well as English, beginning in elementary school. This concept would be rewarding to adopt into North American schools because it would create better communication around the world.
In the United States, many students begin learning foreign languages when they arrive to high school. This makes it more difficult for students because they have never done anything like this before. For students with international backgrounds, it is much easier as they have grown up around other bilingual speakers. If students were to be exposed to various languages, or at least one other language while in elementary and middle school, the learning process would become easier for them as well. A vast majority of high school students never continue on with a foreign language course after they complete the two that are required. Furthermore, if American schools made one foreign language, such as Spanish, required to be learned from elementary to high school, young people and generations to come would be able to connect with more populations in their life.
With the growing global issues varying from climate change to problems in the political world, becoming fluent in another language would be helpful. Communication is key for building and mending relationships. This would also benefit those who wish to become international humanitarian workers who travel worldwide, as well as travelers in general.
It has been said that during one’s childhood can be the best time to learn a new language. Some would perceive the idea of learning another language all through school to be too much or even a waste of time, but this are the type of people who must have their eyes opened to all the possibilities that being bilingual can bring. Another economic benefit would be that bilinguals often get paid more at many companies in America.
If the American school system continues to only have a two course foreign language requirement, then students will only continue to do the minimum and gain virtually nothing. However, if it becomes the norm to learn a language all through schooling, benefits would flourish with the youth and future adults of America.
