Should US schools force the Spanish language on students?

[Cicero]

So where I live and most other schools near my city, Spanish is a requirement. I personally disagree with this 100%. I would much rather learn a different language like French, German, or Italian (or even Russian although its really difficult to learn). If there is a requirement to learn a specific language, I think the requirement of choice should be Latin. Why? Because Latin is a connecting language for many other language, such as French, Spanish, Italian, and English. That way, if that person wants to go on and learn another language like Italian, English, French or Spanish. It will be a lot more easier. Today's society is conforming toward the Spanish language so much, I feel like many American citizens are finding it less and less important to know English. Whats your opinion on this issue?

[UnknownError]

That's called high school. Here you are made to take French or German until 4th year (was 3rd year until a while ago). You dont get to choose which of the two you learn.

And why would an American citizen think they dont need English lmao? Yes its nice to be bilingual but I really doubt people are going to ditch English because they learnt some Spanish in high school.

[Jess]

No. Students should be able to choose what language they want to learn. In my school district, you are able to choose what language to take. There should be no requirement for any language; they should be able to choose.

[Jupiter]

of course not. they should have options. like chinese, like our school :D

i just think that people should be able to pick their future.

[Ryhanna]

It'd be cool for students to be able to choose a language to learn.

I learnt Japanese in primary school, and French in high school. Now that I haven't studied either in a couple of years, I can't remember much of what I learnt, but the classes were still fun and very interesting. It's great to be able to learn about different culture and expand your language.

[Mortal Coil]

A foreign language is imperative in my opinion, but I really don't think that one particular language should be forced on students. It's much better to have a choice.

[Guillermo]

No. Students should have a choice of I'd say at least Spanish, French, German, and Chinese (since these are all important languages in business and communication in today's world). However, not all schools will offer all these, obviously. Mine only offers Spanish and French.

If there is a requirement to learn a specific language, I think the requirement of choice should be Latin. Why? Because Latin is a connecting language for many other language, such as French, Spanish, Italian, and English. That way, if that person wants to go on and learn another language like Italian, English, French or Spanish. It will be a lot more easier.

While this is true, wouldn't it just be easier to go ahead and start learning the language that is actually still spoken today? You see, in middle school, I took Latin and it was the only language offered there. Honestly, I thought it was the biggest waste of 3 years of language I've ever taken. I could have been learning Spanish or French (which I'm learning now) instead of learning Latin. Also, it wouldn't be a good idea to require everyone to learn this language because students really have trouble getting over the fact that Latin is the "dead language that nobody speaks anymore" - which is somewhat true. And besides, it takes time to learn a language. If I had taken Spanish in those 3 years of middle school then I would probably already be fluent by now since I'm a Senior in high school.

Today's society is conforming toward the Spanish language so much, I feel like many American citizens are finding it less and less important to know English.

I don't think that's necessarily true... If anything it's the other way around and English is becoming more and more important. Most jobs in the US usually want you to speak a decent amount of English if not to be fluent in it. People in general in the US - who are native-English speakers - usually want everyone else to speak English (even though English isn't the United State's official language). But you are right that most people in the US take Spanish as a foreign language in high school than any other language. Then you also must think: only 1/6 of all people who attend college major/minor in a foreign language. Probably somewhere between a half and 3/4's of all high school students don't really care much about foreign language and just want to take the easiest route to fulfill their requirements for foreign language. They do this by learning Spanish. Spanish is one of the easiest languages for native-English speakers.

Honestly, I think that public schools in America should have children learning a foreign language starting at the elementary level. The younger you are, then the better it is to start learning a language. And I think it should be a choice of important languages for business and communication, as I said above.

[nfs4394]

I think foreign language, but not a specific language, should be forced on students. Just in terms of accepting different cultures and diversities, it is a good idea for students to have some exposure to something that is not American within school. However, just because there may be a high number of Spanish speakers in an area does not mean that students at those schools should be forced to take Spanish. That's like saying everyone in the same area has to support the same sports teams. It tones down our sense of diversity in the long run

[ImCoolBeans]

I honestly think that people like to find things to complain about and be nit-picky over. The school is doing nothing but enriching you with a foreign language which is in high demand -- sure the system may have some room for change and maybe it can be improved -- but I think arguing over whether "schools are oppressing us into taking spanish" or not is actually ridiculous.

[Iron Man]

Absolutely not. No one should be forced to learn a language if they don't want to.

[FreeFall]

No. My school had French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, German, Mandarin and some African language for you to pick from and learn.

I honestly don't think a language has the right to be imposed unless you've moved into a land with a national language that you're poor with/don't know. America doesn't have a national language, English is just an official language.
German, Spanish and some French dialect are very abundant in my area, but that shouldn't mean we'd have been forced to learn them.

[Hypers]

It shouldn't be forced, but being able to speak another language is a quite important ability as everything now is global...

[Foamy]

While Spanish will soon be as important as English (IMO) I feel that if it forced upon students they won't be able to pick and choose what the really want. In my district I'm not quite sure how it works but I know at some point students are allowed I choose between spanish and French. At the high school Chinese and Latin are also offered and students generally choose one of those in addition to or replacing the language they were leaning before.

[Castle of Glass]

well, i am from finland, but have never gone to high school there, but in finland you learn a ton of languages, only three are mandatory, finnish, swedish, and english. but you have the choices of spanish, french, russian, german, italian, and a bunch of others. my dad is fluent in all of those languages so yay.

but i have gone to a american curriculum school for my entire life so i have had enlgish and spanish(Portuguese also when i lived in Brazil) never took 1st year spanish because of my portuguse background.) but i think schools should not force it.

[Lost in the Echo]

Yeah, this is bullshit, learning a language should be a choice, not a requirement.
Also, I think it's stupid to learn a language you probably won't ever have to use, unless you travel to that country.

So yeah, it should be an option, not a requirement.
It's just dumb to learn a language you will have no use for.

[Rdsxbaseballfan]

there's no way i would learn a languages i didn't want to, Ive been learning french for 3 years and im quite happy with that,

[Haufen]

We have English from elementary school, then first 3 years of high school we have French (So from grade 1 to grade 3) and in grade 2 and 3 we have German, then in grade 4 you have to choose between either which you want to continue studying till the end of high school (Dutch and English are mandatory, and either German or French is mandatory). So stop crying.

[MisterSix]

Absolutely not. No one should be forced to learn a language if they don't want to.

You're right. I demand all english classes be optional. Forcing kids to learn english makes me sick

[Error 404]

I honestly think that people like to find things to complain about and be nit-picky over. The school is doing nothing but enriching you with a foreign language which is in high demand -- sure the system may have some room for change and maybe it can be improved -- but I think arguing over whether "schools are oppressing us into taking spanish" or not is actually ridiculous.

Aye.

I'm from different country, but if English wasn't required, i doubt i would learn it (or even want to).French was required too, but i heavily disliked it, so...

And IMO, Spanish is pretty similar to Portuguese (as far i know), and Italian isn't far of, so once you've learned Spanish, other two shouldn't be too hard to learn (if someone wants).

[Human]

it would be more useful to teach java;)

[EastBound]

No. Students should be able to choose what language they want to learn. In my school district, you are able to choose what language to take. There should be no requirement for any language; they should be able to choose.

Exactly how I feel about it. :yes:

[Magus]

it would be more useful to teach java;)

Okay, wtf is int obect ; {} [] ]asd. lostPkg?

[Gigablue]

I think schools should have to offer many different languages, and should encourage people to learn at least one other language, but they shouldn't force them to.

[Desuetude]

Well in my secondary school it's compulsory to take a language up until year 9. When I went into year 7 we were shoved into French, then in year 9 we got the choice of French or Spanish. In other schools I know they have the option of German but that's it. It's very much recommended to take an MFL for GCSE but fuck that, I dropped all mine and god am I glad :P

I wouldn't work up a sweat about it though, like others have said it's only high/secondary school, it's not like it's the rest of your life and to be honest, a couple of years after you leave - if you don't go on to extend your learning of it - it'll all be forgotten anyway. I don't think it matters either way, so all's well that ends well.

[Korashk]

It's more likely that the school required a foreign language, and the only one it offers is Spanish. This is quite different than forcing students to take Spanish. Should schools offer other languages? Sure. However, that costs money that, frankly, they don't have. If you want foreign language credits that aren't Spanish you can probably take one through a dual enrollment program at your school.

[Bath]

OP request. :locked2: