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Latin Language Education

Guest

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As I am now in my second year of Latin and love learning it I become more and more annoyed with the ignorance of the American education system in the way of foreign language. I love learning these old inflected languages, but I have come to realize that I am among the minority of the population who learns such languages. After thinking about this country as a whole its not only the Latin is not being learned by many, but many languages are not being learned. If you go to Europe they speak at least 3 languages, including English. We expect them to learn our language when they come over here, yet we do not know theirs and expect them to speak ours in their native land at times. Should the USA have a stricter foreign language policy instead of the typical 3 years of only one language besides English, or are my ramblings just full of hot air. I welcome any responces no matter if it is positive or negative.

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Ursus

I think those on a track to University should have several years of Latin or Greek. It's part of our heritage.

 

 

As for modern foreign languages, I suppose schools in heavily Hispanic areas should give a few years of Spanish.

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Primus Pilus

Agreed, the United States needs to be more proactive on language. Most young Europeans can speak or at least understand several languages and the advantages this can create is remarkable.

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Lacertus

I studied two foreign languages in school (German and Spanish). This is usually in Russia but more often are English and German. I began study English before university and study it now. Besides them I study Latin and ancient German in University and have new language in this year - French.

My brother studies in "English" school. This is a special school in Moscow where all subjects teach on English beginning at 7 year of teaching. (all - 11 years). Besides them the second language adds at 7 grade.

I cannot say that I speak good on Spanish or German, I haven't big practic in this languages but I understand they very well and can speak if it need. I was in Germany and speak there without any problems.

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longbow

Its pretty much the same in Britain as it is in America.I studied Latin and French in school,but only from the age of 11 to 14,then i dropped them both like hot cakes :D

My sister and Dad both speak fluent German but thats only because my Dad worked there for donkey's years and my sister has to speak German for her job.

I envy the Welsh for having there own language (and they speak English with a crazy accent) :) the Welsh language is going through a bit of a revival,its become fashionable to be able to speak Welsh,in Wales,of course.

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Silentium

Well, I think us Europeans need to learn at least 2 or more languages to be able to communicate with each other, and since the EU was established relationships between the European countries are even more frequent. In the U.S., except for Spanish, I think it would be only a matter of "personal knowledge" =) after all your language is widely spoken all over the world (personally I'm learning British English and that's the one most people learn in Europe, but I don't think that would represent an obstacle to comprehension).

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