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.
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?
Replies
I don't think it necessarily should be required but I think it does kids a lot of good. It can save kids lots of money when they are going to college if there college requires them foreign language. I think it would be really good for younger kids to be learning different languages when they are growing up.
I agree that it is good for kids, but shouldn't be required.
I don't think it should be required to graduate, but I do think it is good to do. I feel like learning a language is very beneficial, especially with the diversity in our country. We have a mass amount of immigrants and being able to communicate better with them, would be really cool. It is also beneficial if you want to travel.
I agree that it is good to do, but it shouldn't be required.
I think that foreign languages are easier to learn when you are younger, so I think that it is a good idea to start teaching foreign languages earlier. I can also see many opportunities if you can speak multiple languages. However, I don't think that it should be required to graduate.
I agree, it is easier to learn another language when you are young.
I do not think it should be required to graduate. Yes, being in a foreign language class can help in the future, but many jobs don't need it. Many more teens are choosing to go to a trade school instead of college lately, and trade schools don't require a foreign language. I am not in a foreign language class, and I don't plan on being in one because it seems very stressful, and it's a lot of extra work I don't need.
I agree that it can help in the future, but not many jobs need/require it.
No, I dont think we should have to take two years of fouren language class. I am not in a foreign language class right know becasue I dont think I will need to have it the carre I am going to go in I think we need to teach foreign language at a younger age.
I am in a foreign language right now, but I don't think it should be required.
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