Should students be required to take 2 years of foreign language classes?

[7Grace]

Should students be required to take at least 2 years of foreign language classes to graduate high school? Within Harlan Community School, you are not formally required to take any foreign language classes to graduate. But a question that could be posed within the school is, is it worth forcing students to take these classes?

I think overall there are some positives and negatives to this idea. The positive that is shown after requiring these classes is the increase in knowledge overall. Students who take foreign language classes usually end up being more advanced in other classes due to the heightened knowledge of another language. Another benefit is that students who take a foreign language and stick with it can get better jobs and better opportunities in the long run. Some students may eventually find it easier to get a better job with an even higher pay rate due to the ability to speak another language. The last pro I will mention is the fact that if you even start it earlier, as in elementary school, it widens a younger student's brain and makes their knowledge more flexible. 

Contrary to the pros of this idea. Some cons come along with this requirement. One of them is that forcing a student to take a foreign language may take away from a student within the classroom who wants to be there and is eager to take on the challenge of learning a new language. It takes away some one-on-one time with those who are striving for achievements such as their seal of biliteracy. Another con is that along with requiring a student to take a class, you are bound to have more students failing the class than if the class was chosen. Students are more likely to try a class if they have chosen to take it off their free will. 

Overall I think that both the positive and negative reasons are reasonable. But, in the end, I think that it is better to not require it. I feel like the students who want to push themselves and strive for a better future will choose to take on the challenge of a foreign language. So to sum it up, I believe we should keep it as a non-required elective.

 

https://www.leadwithlanguages.org/why-learn-languages/middle-high-school/#:~:text=Bilinguals%20have%20better%20problem%2Dsolving,academic%20progress%20in%20other%20subjects. 

 

Do you think we should have to take 2 years of foreign language to graduate?

Are you in a foreign language right now?

Do you think they should start teaching younger kids different languages?

[6Mallory]

 I think its very beneficial to take a foreign class but I dont think it should be required. I am in a foriegn language class right now and I know its going to help me find better jobs in the future but I don't think we should have to. Teaching younger kids foreign language would be really helpful and it could make it easier to learn languages better.

[7Grace]

I agree that it is probably beneficial, but shouldn't be required.

[5Aubrey]

I do not think that a foreign language class should be required to graduate or get into college. It could help a lot of students in the future in their careers or other situations. I am in a foregin language right now and do think it would be beneficial to teach the students at a younger age if they choose to, but it shouldn't be required.

[7Grace]

I also think it would be beneficial to teach students at a younger age.

[8Jadyn]

I think foreign language classes should be required. Most colleges require them anyways. Its also because of how diverse our country is getting it will be very benificial just to know a language or two. I think they should offer foreign language classes sooner like in early middle school. 

[7Grace]

I think that it shouldn't be required in highschool or college, if you want to take it, thats good, but you shouldn't have to.

[5Reese]

In my personal opinion, I do not think that taking a foreign language class for at least two years should be required to graduate from high school. Although, I do believe that it is extremely beneficial to take these classes to better prepare yourself for your future.

[7Grace]

I agree that it is beneficial for some kids, but for others, its not.

[5 Lance]

I do not think that you should be required to take any foreign language classes to graduate high school. I also do not think that it should be needed to get into colleges. I am in spanish 2 currently, but I don't think that it is neccesary for my future. I also do not think that it would be valueable to teach foreign language to young kids.

[7Grace]

I am also taking spanish 2, but I don't think it will benefit me in any way in the future.