tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017122240153287032.post7087212215810986662..comments2011-12-08T15:37:17.940-08:00Comments on Lingua Franca: Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06421773005596737427noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017122240153287032.post-2047489290538002722011-12-08T15:37:17.940-08:002011-12-08T15:37:17.940-08:00Thank you so much for your warm welcome, Stay In F...Thank you so much for your warm welcome, Stay In Focus! I believe you are right. The problem that we all need to brainstorm as a nation, as parents, and as responsible global citizens, is how do we fund the introduction of "foreign" languages in our preschools and elementary schools, and of course their continuation after that? <br /><br />More and more, people complain about the uselessness of placing so much emphasis on standardized testing that does not seem to actually help kids and young adults out in life after school. Languages, however, WOULD, undeniably. If we can budget so many millions of dollars for other causes, including testing standards, etc., it seems we should be able to divert even a bit of that funding towards something as imperative as producing competent global citizens who do not have to rely on the citizens of other countries to learn their language. International businesspeople whom I have spoken to agree that even when foreign partners speak English, they LOVE it when you at least try to speak THEIR language. This helps to bridge cultures and, more concretely, close business deals.<br /><br />So I suppose the real question is: How many parents would be interested enough in raising multilingual kids to rally together and actually lobby for it? Are we truly going to put our money where our mouth is, so to speak? Do we start small, at a local level, one school at a time? Do we appeal straight to the people at the top? What arguments do politicians and national school officials want or need to hear in order to feel motivated to make this a reality? That it will bring more money and opportunities to the U.S.? I welcome everybody's constructive comments on this subject and thank you for reading!Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06421773005596737427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017122240153287032.post-84967489376175851832011-12-03T21:03:51.769-08:002011-12-03T21:03:51.769-08:00Congrats on your first post! Most everyone would a...Congrats on your first post! Most everyone would agree learning multiple languages is the way to go. But when schools are struggling with basic science and math. (Let alone music and art.) How can school administrators justify the cost? I think you are right that multilingualism should be introduced even before primary school.Stay In Focushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14950982823753283195noreply@blogger.com