Is Learning A Second Language?

Foreign language classes are often put off until high school due to the fact that this is when people believe students are most ready to learn another language. This belief is widely accepted despite the fact children are able to learn to speak like natives in foreign languages, whereas teenagers and adults usually are not able to learn how to do this. Speaking “like a native” entails being able to think in a foreign language without having to translate (Nadia 1). The ability to speak like a native in a foreign language can be easier to obtain when taught the foreign language during elementary school. Once a student passes the prime learning stages, learning a foreign language can be extremely difficult. Adults starting to learn a language have to work through an established first-language

Everyone in America has had to learn a second language in order to obtain a high school diploma, however this ‘learning’ of a language is merely a short class that does little to tie one down to a second language. There are few students who continue to seek more and more knowledge about their intended language. Some lose interest, while others make excuses by saying that it is too hard. However, learning more than one language has so many benefits that it is mind boggling to me that more people like to remain monolingual. Obviously time and resources are a concern, but there are so many ways to learn a language that can be catered to one’s individual needs. Think about all of the people in our nation whose first language is not English.

How does our native language affect we think about the world and our place in it? How is speaking more than one language difficult? Tom Munnecke’s purpose was talking about how learning many languages frustrated him, and how each language frustrated him. Each of these languages he saw as “shells,” and he goes on to talk about each language and its limitations and/or opportunities. The audience for Nothing is Missing are people who are interested in learning one, or more than one, different language. This article could also apply to people who are already bilingual, or already know multiple languages. Munecke would like people who are interested in learning more than one language to know how the first language we speak affects the way we

“One of the greatest and most influential filmmakers of all time”, Federico Fellini once stated that “A different language is a different vision of life” and I, in my turn tend to say that he was perfectly right. A person who speaks more than one language can experience multiple personalities, visions and reflections consisting which language is he speaking. High School students should comprehend the real benefit of speaking a foreign language. Being a multilingual myself and speaking fluently four languages and studying another two, I consider that I am qualified enough to persuade that my argument is strong, plausible and not ultimately-right. In the following paragraphs I am going to address the following three reasons why should other High School students learn at least one foreign language? Firstly, learning a new language enhances performances in the academic domain and makes you smarter. Secondly, knowing a new language is a high estimated and a very valuable characteristic in your professional CV. Thirdly, international travel is more pleasant through knowing a foreign language.

Living in such a diverse nation containing nearly over 350 languages, does it make sense ignoring all but one? The study of foreign language in America is on the decline as English becomes the language most spoken. The English languages is prominently used in economics, finance, politics and so on. However, this monolingual plague that's affecting America presents an issue, those who are being affected are at a disadvantage. They are at a disadvantage because numerous business practice contain the benefit of knowing multiple languages, they miss out on culture, the secret doors of doors the world has to offer and better mental wellbeing.

Learning to speak another language other than English is a highly debated subject in regards to education. Language in itself is an essential tool to everyday living,from whimsical conversations to important business meetings. Words have the power to inspire and change the world, but not everybody can understand the same words. There are hundreds of languages spoken around the globe how do we know which to speak? We can’t be certain. Therefore, it is not advantageous for English speakers to learn another language, there are too many languages for one to be exceptionally useful, and other countries are quickly learning English.

According to a study by the University of Phoenix Research Institute, “demand for American workers who speak foreign languages- particularly Spanish and Chinese- will rise over the next decade”(“Rising Demand for Bilingual Workers among Employers”). As the United States continues to diversify, being bilingual or multilingual is becoming a key part to be successful in life. A student’s school education, beginning at the first day of kindergarten, is supposed to build and prepare a student for the future, so why is properly learning a new language not a priority from the start? The teaching of a foreign language should begin elementary school because learning at an earlier age is optimum for an easier and effective learning process and provides significant benefits that can last a lifetime.

Hola, yes all U.S. students should be required to learn a second language. There are many benefits of learning a new language. You can grow your vocabulary skills and learn about a whole new culture! As a matter of fact, we should all be equal.

Language is a key part of any family, community, culture and the human race. Without language the world today would be much different. From cavemen, to the Egyptian use of hieroglyphics, to Old English, to more than 6,500 languages spoken around the world today, the advances that humans have made in language is remarkable and inspiring. The ability to speak, read, write and understand more than one language is also remarkable and expands the liberties in life, especially for young people. High school students should be required to take at least two years of a foreign language class in order to graduate, as many recent studies support the benefits of doing so. Students who have learned a foreign language in high school have proven to have a

I have always been intrigued by the concept of language; whether it be from how languages originated, how people learn them, or how the language creates words different from the pre-existing languages, I draw an interest to all of it. I specifically remember when I was younger, trying to create a new language of my own. In today’s world, there are more than 2,000 languages spoken around the world. Some of those languages are only spoken by a single village while others are spoken by billions of people. Those who speak the less popular languages are most likely fluent in another major one. English is one of those major languages, although it is not the most spoken language in the world, it is a competitor; however, it is many people’s choice of a second language, and spoken regularly in many foreign countries. Many schools throughout the world make it a requirement for their students to practice another language while enrolled. Unfortunately, after graduation, students never retain the language, it was simply stored in their short-term memory. Becoming fluent in another language is not only alluring, but it is very beneficial to one’s self, and the global community. Being bilingual is proven to give a leg up to people in the business world, improve one’s mental health in many ways, and additionally advance other aspects in one’s life not ordinarily associated with the learning of a new language. Why is it beneficial for native English speakers to learn another language?

* In the educational field, the teaching learning cycle is a model used in contemporary teaching in both school and adult educational settings. Rothery (1996 in Derewianka & Jones 2012, pg 43) who originally developed the model used this to aim at disadvantaged children for teaching literacy and writing in the KLA (Key learning areas) who were from socially disadvantaged areas. Over time the model has been phased across other areas of the English language such as listening, speaking, reading as well as writing. The key involvement of the teacher also known as ‘expert other’ in the teaching learning cycle is guiding the learner to understand key concepts in academic literacy through use of scaffolding strategies to transform students

Learning a second language is an issue of immense importance in our contemporary world. Knowledge of a second language enhances a person’s economic potential in the globalized marketplace. The ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend another language empowers an individual to exchange ideas across cultural and linguistic barriers. At the center of contemporary second language acquisition is the learning and teaching of English. Due to the legacy of the British Empire and the rise of the United States as the world’s last remaining superpower, English has become the main international mode of communication in science, technology, business, diplomacy and popular entertainment. While educators and students worldwide may agree that learning English is paramount, many students and teachers struggle with a pragmatic means to achieve this goal. In this paper, I discuss my pragmatic philosophy of second language acquisition (SLA) based on existing literature on the topic and my experiences teaching English to second language learners in Asia and in the United States.

Learning second language or foreign language provides great benefits. It helps the child to get aware of many different cultures and enjoy economic opportunities. Teachers must be aware of how children acquire second language. Unfortunately, Teachers, sometimes have miraculous expectations on children about second language learning. That is because there are some myths and misconceptions about second language learning. It is explained by Barry McLaughlin in his article, “Myths and misconceptions about second language learning: what every teacher needs to unlearn.” He describes how children would be harmed if teachers has unrealistic expectations of the process of second language learning and he says that those intuitive assumption will effect on children other academic skills and knowledge. In his words “As any adult who has tried to learn another language can verify, second language learning can be a frustrating experience. This is no less the case for children, although there is a widespread belief that children are facile second language learners.” Teachers still have to communicate with the children by using their primary language in the school while teaching the second language, if they do not do so, because of non-communication children’s grades may be lowered and may lead to children feel embarrassed. It seems that some teachers and parents in Saudi Arabia strongly believe in those myths and misconceptions that a child is a better learner of foreign language, and

Briefly explain reasons for second language acquisition and discuss individual differences in learning a second language. (Chapter 6)

English as a language has been designated as having a global ranking (Crystal 1997), (Northrup 2013), (Mckenzie 2010). A language that is deemed as having a global status is clarified by Crystal (2003, p.3) as ‘one that achieves a genuinely global status when it develops a special role that is recognised in every country’. Due to this prestigious standing that English has attained, it is unsurprising that many are keen to acquire it across the world. This is also supported by Wyse, Andrews and Hoffman (2010, P.398) who state ‘English is much more favoured over the other official languages as a second language’. As many learners are acquiring English in the context of a second or foreign language, the discussion over utilising the learner’s first language in the process remains a contentious subject (Brown, 2000). This assignment will provide an overview of perceptions from differing approaches in regards to the use of the L1 in language education, along with arguments in support and against the same.