Your children need to learn a foreign language
Dec 11, 2005
When making subject choices, many students shy away from taking on a foreign language. They say it is too hard to learn a foreign language. Some are scared of failing it.
By Elvina Nawaguna
When making subject choices, many students shy away from taking on a foreign language. They say it is too hard to learn a foreign language. Some are scared of failing it.
However, if you weigh the cost of studying a foreign language against the benefits, it will be clear that the benefits of having a foreign language are much greater and eternal than the costs.
There is value in speaking another foreign language other than English. Sticking to English alone limits one’s chances and opportunities in a world, which has become a global village.
Nuhu Kanyike, a teacher of German language and head of the German Language Department at Nabisunsa Girls’ School, says the main point in learning a foreign language is to market yourself internationally.
Kanyike says the immediate foreign languages that would be necessary for a Ugandan to learn are Kiswahili, French, Arabic and from a broader perspective, German, Spanish and Italian.
Kanyike says knowing a foreign language will work as an added advantage when it comes to employment. If you want to work with an international organisation you stand a higher chance than one who knows only English. Such organisations would easily place you in another country for employment if you can speak the language. “There are many people who have taken advantage of that and landed themselves good jobs in other countries,†he says.
The benefits of learning a foreign language cut across the personal, professional, academic, social and economic realms.
However, many people realise this late in their lives when a possible opportunity is staring right at them and the only reason they cannot take it is because of their language limitations.
Kanyike says a foreign language bridges the gap between you and the people that speak the language. It is also good for adventurism and getting to know about other people.
“When you study a foreign language, get to know how people live and their culture,†he says.
It is also good for business. If you speak the language, you avoid the inconvenience of an interpreter and, therefore, are less likely to get cheated. It may help you make great sales and secure contracts.
You will, however, need interest and determination to be able to learn a foreign language.
Kanyike says people need to practise if they want to speak a foreign language.
Jo Ann Cope, of University of Texas Learning Centre says learning a foreign language is something you can’t put off till the weekend. You have to keep studying and practicing. Have dictation exercises with your friends and attend and participate in class as often as possible.
Cope says when studying a foreign language Study out loud! “Mimic the sounds of the language. Don’t mumble. Although most people feel embarrassed making strange sounds, the language will soon feel more familiar to you. When called on in class, say something, even it it is wrong: you will learn from it.â€
If you can afford it, it would be advisable to spend sometime in a place where the language is spoken to help you improve your command of it. Cope advises that you practice with a foreign student who wants your help to learn English or with another class member.
As a way of improving, he also recommends audio and video tapes or CDs. This will help you to practise and improve.
Kanyike says many people are reluctant to pursue a foreign language because they are ignorant of its importance.
He says that others tend to believe that foreign languages are hard. But there is also poor marketing of foreign languages by many teachers and school administrations.
Kanyike advises that parents encourage their children to start studying a foreign language while they are still young because the older you grow, the harder it becomes to grasp a foreign language.
Ends
When making subject choices, many students shy away from taking on a foreign language. They say it is too hard to learn a foreign language. Some are scared of failing it.
However, if you weigh the cost of studying a foreign language against the benefits, it will be clear that the benefits of having a foreign language are much greater and eternal than the costs.
There is value in speaking another foreign language other than English. Sticking to English alone limits one’s chances and opportunities in a world, which has become a global village.
Nuhu Kanyike, a teacher of German language and head of the German Language Department at Nabisunsa Girls’ School, says the main point in learning a foreign language is to market yourself internationally.
Kanyike says the immediate foreign languages that would be necessary for a Ugandan to learn are Kiswahili, French, Arabic and from a broader perspective, German, Spanish and Italian.
Kanyike says knowing a foreign language will work as an added advantage when it comes to employment. If you want to work with an international organisation you stand a higher chance than one who knows only English. Such organisations would easily place you in another country for employment if you can speak the language. “There are many people who have taken advantage of that and landed themselves good jobs in other countries,†he says.
The benefits of learning a foreign language cut across the personal, professional, academic, social and economic realms.
However, many people realise this late in their lives when a possible opportunity is staring right at them and the only reason they cannot take it is because of their language limitations.
Kanyike says a foreign language bridges the gap between you and the people that speak the language. It is also good for adventurism and getting to know about other people.
“When you study a foreign language, get to know how people live and their culture,†he says.
It is also good for business. If you speak the language, you avoid the inconvenience of an interpreter and, therefore, are less likely to get cheated. It may help you make great sales and secure contracts.
You will, however, need interest and determination to be able to learn a foreign language.
Kanyike says people need to practise if they want to speak a foreign language.
Jo Ann Cope, of University of Texas Learning Centre says learning a foreign language is something you can’t put off till the weekend. You have to keep studying and practicing. Have dictation exercises with your friends and attend and participate in class as often as possible.
Cope says when studying a foreign language Study out loud! “Mimic the sounds of the language. Don’t mumble. Although most people feel embarrassed making strange sounds, the language will soon feel more familiar to you. When called on in class, say something, even it it is wrong: you will learn from it.â€
If you can afford it, it would be advisable to spend sometime in a place where the language is spoken to help you improve your command of it. Cope advises that you practice with a foreign student who wants your help to learn English or with another class member.
As a way of improving, he also recommends audio and video tapes or CDs. This will help you to practise and improve.
Kanyike says many people are reluctant to pursue a foreign language because they are ignorant of its importance.
He says that others tend to believe that foreign languages are hard. But there is also poor marketing of foreign languages by many teachers and school administrations.
Kanyike advises that parents encourage their children to start studying a foreign language while they are still young because the older you grow, the harder it becomes to grasp a foreign language.
Ends