This lack of value in learning a second language was proven by the fact that we didn't even begin to learn French in our school district until grade eight. I'm happy to say that that is no longer the case, and that not only do kids begin their French classes in primary school now, we have several French Immersion schools for those families who so choose.
I particularly felt my language deficiency when I moved with my family to Germany back in 1998. I thought I did okay with high school French, but I could not wrap my head around the Germany language. The time for learning new languages is when you are young, as my four children quickly proved. My husband already spoke German, so I found myself to be the only one in our family of six that couldn't speak or understand it. Everyone I met while living there could speak at least two languages, often three or four. I remember one guy telling us how he struggled to learn English and how his friends thought he was stupid because he couldn't speak two languages.
He told this to me, a person who couldn't speak two languages.
In those days, Eastern Germany had only been out of communism for a decade, so most of Eastern Germans spoke Russian as a second language. Now a days, everyone speaks English. Pretty much.
I especially noticed this in Italy and Romania. Every restaurant you go to, the waiter will speak to you in English. In fact, our middle aged, grey haired, genial waiter who served us breakfast at our Italian Hotel, welcomed us and offered us the special in English, then went to the next table and did the same thing in German and then went to the third table and did the same thing in French. And he was Italian.
I can't remember if it was the airport in Italy or Romania, but I saw the yellow pilot car from my passenger seat window. It said in large full caps: FOLLOW ME. That's it. Just English, no other language. Each airport had all its indicator signs, including toilet signs, in its own national language and in English.
One of the first things I did when I got to Romania was go to visit the farm kids. My idea was to possibly return in the future to teach them English. Since they are delayed at learning (for differing reasons, but mostly because they were stuck on the farms) a teacher now comes daily to teach them. At first I thought teaching them English might just be an extra thing I could do to help. But now I see that knowing English is essential if they are ever going to compete in the work force. Even if they just want to get a job serving at a restaurant.
So, I started an online TESL program. I have a year to do it before I go back again, maybe even longer, so I can take my time, which I'm happy about. I'm also taking a German language course, ( a little at a time at my own pace) which makes me sympathetic to what it feels like to try to learn a new language. It's a good mix. I don't know if I'll ever be able to speak German, but I'm going to keep trying.
How about you? Do you speak a second language? If so, are you teaching it to your kids?
I've just about learned a broken form of Spanish. I took it in high school and none of it really stuck. I've got a bunch of friends from Mexico and Puerto Rico so I've been picking up words from them over the years slowly. I try to learn it the same way I would pick up new slang words. I learn a word and then use it when I can in context, eventually it becomes part of your vocabulary. I'll probably never speak perfect Spanish, but I'll at least be able to understand enough to get by.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little we only spoke French at home. Then when I got to school, only English. By the time I was 8 I'd forgotten most of my French, although if given enough time I can get the gist if I read it.
ReplyDeleteI used to be able to say "Hi, How are you? Are you having a good time? It's nice to meet you." in 7 different languages (hospitality industry) but I've forgotten most.
I do wish my daughter would take language in school, but they don't offer it here.
WRITING CONTEST.....My blog Amish Stories is having its first ever contest this week. The First prize winner will win 2 tickets to tour the farm where the 1985 move "Witness" staring Harrison Ford and Kelly Mcgillis was made in Strasburg,Pa . This farm is now Amish owned, and the family has given permission for folks to tour their farm. This may be the last time anyone will be able to walk and see the same things that Harrison Ford and the other actors saw during the making of "Witness". The Witness tour should last about 2.5 hours. In addition to the Witness farm tour tickets, 1st prize winner will also receive 2 tickets for Jacobs choice. There will also be a 2nd place prize, which will be 2 tickets for the Amish Homestead. Please go to My blog www.AmishStorys.com for contest details, and more information on the prizes. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon county.
ReplyDeleteI was fluent in Spanish in high school and, without use, it has mostly trickled away. The company I worked for in England was German, and they had me taking German lessons for a while before I moved. Now, I'm applying for an MFA program which requires 2 years of college-level language OR an intensive course, so it looks like I might be dusting off the Spanish again!
ReplyDeleteChristopher - I think if you can get by in a second language, even if it's broken, that's not bad. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteAnne - This is a common story. My mother also only knew German until she started school, and then lost it. My kids have forgotten most of what they learned in Germany, and they went to German speaking schools there. Kind of sad.
Richard - wow, my first guerrilla spam. Not surprised by the no-reply e-address. I hope I don't have to start monitoring my comments now.
ReplyDeleteJenna - You won't be sorry!
ReplyDeleteI love that you're doing that, how awesome! I started learning to speak Irish (no, it is not just English with a great accent like so many think ;) and it has been both challenging and totally fun. I'm just sorry I didn't start learning it sooner!
ReplyDeleteI love French and wish I had more time and opportunity to practice!
ReplyDeleteLove that you were helping the children with English!! Great photo of you with the kiddos.
Blessings!!
That's so interesting that that waiter spoke English to you.
ReplyDeleteI WISH I had learned another language. I mean, I took 4 years of French in high school but when I went to Montreal it might as well have been Greek. I forgot most of it.
My mom used to speak Lithuanian fluently to her mother all the time when I was growing up. Then when she died, my mom didn't have anyone to speak it to and now she's forgotten it. I wish she had taught me.
I have a smattering of Spanish, German (which I used in Poland),and a few phrases in Polish. Contrary to popular wisdom, I do believe you can pick up another language when you're older, although you may never become entirely fluent. I learned Italian as an adult and it served me well for the brief time I lived in Rome.
ReplyDeleteKathryn -Actually, when I was in Italy, I felt like I was already picking up words. They're fun to say, they just roll off the tongue! I might be wrong about this, but I think some languages are easier to learn than others, ie: Romance languages. I also think that some people are just more gifted at linguistics, no matter the age.
ReplyDeleteMy mom's from the Netherlands so I learned Dutch growing up. But it's not a language that you can practice much in the US or Canada. I think that's probably a big issue for knowing/retaining a second language for those of us in North America. And if you don't use it, you lose it.
ReplyDelete