The Oxford Spokesman – Kay Nilest
“In other countries, it’s an expectation, not a hobby, to learn multiple languages. In fact, in many countries learning English as a foreign language is a requirement, according to Eurostat statistics. These statistics indicate that “just over half (51.2%) of upper secondary general education students in the [European Union] studied two or more languages.” This compares to barely 18% of Americans. In many American high schools, students are required to take at least two years of a foreign language. This is good in theory, however making something a requirement for so brief a time is ineffective. Students can just suffer through quizzes for four semesters, and ten years later show off their extensive vocabulary of the colors. No, this system is too formal, too brief, and begins too late in life.”(more)