A Foreign Language Course: Beneficial for UCSC Students
Most college-bound students in the United States require a foreign language study for a minimum of two years during high school in order to satisfy the A-G requirements which colleges glances over in college application so they can verify that the student’s subjects are academically challenging [6]. I ask, why does college require students a foreign language class to begin with, if once students arrive to college, university drop the foreign language studies rendering study as an elective class. I argue that there must be a compelling reason for colleges to require students to take such classes before entering university. At the moment University of California, Santa Cruz requires
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The irony is this campus prides themselves on being an inclusive community, yet I beg to differ from student’s interaction over time.
Therefore, I propose that a new foreign language opens paths such as increasing students’ social lives beyond representation. Angela M. Locks, Sylvia Hurtado, Nicholas A. Bowman, and Leticia Oseguera states [5], “the outcomes of participating in programs like intergroup relations and taking courses related to diversity… students of color and White students will be more likely to have positive interactions with diverse peers.” Basically, Locks is saying that students devoting themselves to classes that not only represent them, yet make them think differently is ideal for cultural awareness. I am convinced students can socialize outside the classrooms, their ethnic groups, and colleges. I trust a foreign language course will ensure that students learn culture and language creating a comfortable environment for their peers. Students can meet new people such as international students and help with their transition to this country while learning about international students’ experience. Some students on our campus are already bilingual, so increasing the quantity of language would result in a diverse campus where an accepting awaits. Students social development leads to effective communication with people on campus, off
All languages are important and realizing it will make you become a stronger, more diverse human being. We need take make an effort not only for ourselves but for other citizens living in the United States who don’t speak English; we need to make them feel welcomed into our country. Marjorie Agosín described that,”here in the United States, where I have lived since I was a young girl, the solitude of exile makes me feel that so little is mine, that not even the sky has the same constellations, the trees and the fauna the same names or sounds, or the rubbish the same smell. These are the dilemmas of one who writes in Spanish and lives in translation”(Agosin 599). Agosín has lived in the United States for quite some time now, yet still feels like she is living a life through “translation”. She should not feel this way, Agosin should feel apart of our country and feel as if she is a citizen. It is important for us to take a stand now to make language become apart of the curriculum within our school systems starting in Kindergarten, so that our children have a more diverse life filled with opportunities. One thing we know about the future for sure is that we will still have our knowledge about language, but it is how we use that knowledge that will depict how we will succeed in life and as a
As part of Calvin College’s diversity and inclusion policy, it motivates its students to be agents of renewal and “promotes cross-cultural understanding, encourages collaboration and fosters innovation, thereby benefiting all within the academic community”. In recognition of the multicultural world in which we live in, the Calvin college curriculum requires the study of another language, in addition to English. Despite this, Calvin fails to recognize the American Sign Language as a foreign language option even though it is used by two million Americans. Calvin’s department of languages website cites the need for proficiency in a second language to be able to participate in today’s global and multicultural society. Calvin should recognize the
Even if the colleges are achieving their goals to get a diverse student body to the campuses, they fail to get those groups to interact. In the article “The Lie About College Diversity,” Bruni’s interpretation on diversity explains that common college diversity programs are categorizing students together with similar backgrounds. Only a number of programs accept students to interact with fellow diversity students with different cultures, backgrounds or ethnic groups. These programs do not motivate students to reach out and share their thoughts with other groups because they could get rejected. By learning other points of view and having diversity in the learning environment, it also helps individuals communicate better. It also opens minds to ideas and concepts they might not have considered and provide them with
Americans have hidden behind the excuse that everybody important knows English for too long. The United States is the only country in the world where a student can graduate from college without ever having learned a foreign language. Most countries start foreign language instruction at ten years of age or younger. It is time we did something ourselves and stopped letting everyone else do the work. One credit of foreign language instruction should be required in order for graduation from high school in Laramie County School District Number One.
This course has really enlightened my view of being able to learn the value of linguistic and cultural diversity and the influential learning opportunities it gives today’s classrooms and schools. We as teacher educators were allowed to examine our attitudes, beliefs, and preferences regarding linguistically and culturally diverse students, families, and communities and learn methods for working together to confirm high levels of learning for all students. Also, strategies for guaranteeing
As a member of several clubs and organizations, I have always valued the wide range of people you can find within the walls of my high school. If you walk into my Physics lab, you will find me collaborating with a dancer strongly involved in his cultural heritage and a volleyball player in the engineering academy. If you come to my Calculus class, you will see me calculating derivatives with a football player, a snowboarder, a National Honor Society officer, and a painter. The word “diversity” is often used to describe a cross-cultural population, but it is so much more than that. At Bartlett High School, students originate from hundreds of different cultures, with an abundance interests, and participate together in an assortment of activities.
In today’s society, most people view bilingual education, a form of schooling in which content and instructions is presented to students in two or more languages, mostly English and Spanish in New York City as more influential and as a need for Latino students’ education. Ethnic Studies education includes courses and/or programs that are focus on the knowledge and perceptions of an ethnic or racial group. These courses tend to have a curriculum that is mainly for students who come from certain ethnic groups, but not limited to those students. There is controversy because some believe that Ethnic Studies has no influence on personal educational achievement. Therefore, the course becomes more of a choice for Latino students’ education. Most people would argue that an ethnic studies course is not necessarily
This article speaks of different cultures and how different cultures have different languages. It talks about how many different languages affect the students. Students may speak Spanish at home and then once they are at school their teacher is speaking English. It takes time for these students to adapt to the change. It is harder for them because they have to learn both material and the language at the same time. “This language barrier has presented unique educational challenges to Hispanic students that African American students generally did not face” (Donnelly 2015). This article supports education for everyone and talks about how it is difficult of people of Spanish decent because they have to learn two languages. The article thinks
Going to college in the United States may be extremely difficult and stressful for ethnic students. These students have to learn and speak English in order to understand their professors and assignments. Paukert, Pettit, Perez, and Walker (2006) examined how ethnic college students
The number of Languages spoken throughout the world is estimated to be 6,000. Although a few languages are for wider communication around the world, these are very often spoken as second, third, fourth, or later-acquired languages. Fewer than 25% of the world 's approximately 200 countries recognize two or more official languages, with a mere handful recognizing more than two. Despite there being lots of bilinguals and multilinguals, there is also a bunch of monolingual people in the world. The adult population is allowing their children not to learn a foreign language, drastically underfunding language courses in middle to high school level classes. Because they think it 's not necessary in this century, thinking they don 't require communication with other people from other countries. But the truth is that it can actually benefit in more ways than people think. The United States school system has started to not require foreign language class for graduation requirements, this places the U.S at a disadvantage in the world scene.
The world is filled different cultures, races and ethnicities, and it is crucial that our higher education institutions reflect this diversity. Representation matters. We are a country filled with diverse cultures all of which whom need to be represented. The purpose of this literature review is to explain why and how diversity in a higher education setting is important. Students learn better in such an environment and are better prepared to become active participants in our pluralistic, democratic society once they leave school Diversity is not only important among the student population but also within college curriculum. It is an important issue regardless of the setting. However, when it is applied it to a place where people come to learn,
To fully master a language by the end of high school, a student 's education of it needs to begin in
The supporting side also believes that multiculturalism in education is an essential part of college. Studies have found that appreciation for diversity is lacking on college campuses. Evidence shows that among the growing tensions on college campuses, “multiculturalism
Education is one of the most important factors in every person’s life regardless of where they’re from, their race, or their culture. Becoming educated not only makes life easier for us but also can help people become more successful in all things. However with so many people of various races, ethnicities and backgrounds in the United States it is difficult to create an education system that attends to each student’s individual culture. Ones own culture influences their actions and lifestyle, therefore this can create conflict if it is different from their schools cultural teaching style. Multicultural and multilingual classrooms have become the norm in many educational and professional settings throughout the U.S. because of changing immigration patterns caused by globalization (Institute for Educational Leadership, p. 2). For teachers today, it is essential to understand the role of culture and have the ability to interact interculturally in the classroom to create an effective learning environment. Analyzing cultural issues or differences can help teachers to understand some of the unconscious processes that shape individuals’ actions and interactions, as well as their language use and communication. “Teachers who understand cultural diversity…are more likely to be successful in their multicultural classrooms” (Samovar, Pg.2).
Some students would argue that taking a foreign language class in high school would not benefit them after graduation, as they plan to study a major in which being multilingual is not essential. This may seem reasonable as some majors, such as cosmetology or psychology may not ever use a foreign language nor require further study of a foreign language. However, studies have shown that studying a foreign language builds more skills than just language. Memorization, critical thinking and interpretation skills improve immensely in those students who take a foreign language class in high school (“Benefits and Opportunities” 1). Students can then use these skills to improve academic performance in other areas, improving overall college success.