Kist post # 9

The other day, in my Linguistics course, we were talking about first and second language. First language meaning the language you learned in infancy. For many of us, English is our first language. Second language refers to an acquired language you learn after your first language. For many of us, we had to learn a second language in high school. However, according to my professor, each year you are not learning the language you loose 20% of information learned. I took Spanish for three years, and haven't learned anything since my senior year, I would not say Spanish is my second language.


The conversation then turned to if elementary schools should enforce students to learn a second language. A majority of the class, myself included, said yes, we think students should learn a foreign language starting in elementary school or younger. Those that opposed said, elementary schools are already overloaded with material to teach, and it would be a waste of time.
I think that is what is wrong with our society. A good point was brought up during the discussion. As Americans, we say how far more advanced in education other countries are-specifically China and Japan, yet we are not willing to put in the time, effort, or money to want to be that advanced. With everything that is going on in the education world, foreign language programs are the first to be cut. The United States is becoming more global and culturally diverse daily. It many parts of the country a second language is dominate.




In this article: http://www.languagestars.com/benefits.htm, it states that children, as young as toddlers, can learn a new language just as easy as they learned to walk. Learning a second language can also enhance a child's verbal development. The benefits are endless.


Knowing all these facts are amazing and the reality is taxpayers are complaining about paying too much in school taxes. However, in order for their children to get an outstanding education they have to fork over some money. It makes me mad when people complain about school levies. In my mind, education should be a top priority and no classes and no students should be limited.


"Today Governor John Kasich delivered his two-year budget plan to the Ohio General Assembly. The plan slashes funding to K-12 public education by 11.5 percent, from $11.5 billion in the current year to $10.2 billion next year, ratcheting down to $9.7 billion in fiscal 2013." http://www.ohea.org/kasich-education-budget
This article, really puts into perspective the difficulties us teachers are going to have in the years to come. How could be ever let our country get to this where we have to cut funding for education for kids who have no control!

On another more positive and exciting note, Water for Elephants comes to theaters this Friday! :) Everyone should first read the book then go see the movie because Rob Pattinson is in it! I'm super excited. The book was so good, so I hope the movie follows.