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Learning a language isn't just about learning another tongue, but widening one's perspective and looking at life through another pair of eyes. Languages have idioms and phrases that represent a different way of looking at the same thing.

Not everyone is talented in languages, but all children should learn another language. However, what tends to happen in schools today is that they unrealistically aim to teach students to speak, write and read a language on the same level as students of the country whose language they are learning, i.e., grammar, conjugation, etc., forgetting that students study their native languages in the course of twelve years amassing those same skills rather than the standard four required to learn a second or third language.

I feel it is important that all students have a basic level of the language or languages they are learning and are able to at least converse in the language they are learning. By this, I do not mean they are able to memorize a conversation of a tape and recite it or that they are able to translate a tape they have listened to over and over again, but be able to engage in everyday activities, like receiving instructions or talking about the weather. This could take at least 4 years, because I believe as it stands today, the speed at which language is crammed into a student's head does not allow he or she to absorb, retain and use the language.

Once students are able to use a language spontaneously on an everyday basis, if they are interested in learning more about that language and developing stronger skills, only then would I propose getting further instruction in grammar, conjugation. etc.

Today's world is getting smaller and this demands that people all over the world speak at least 2-3 languages other than their own on a basic level. Computers and the media make this need even more immediate. Countries can no longer afford to be isolationist and only by effective communication and understanding will the next generation have a fighting chance.

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