- Audrey Misiano
- Syracuse, NY
- United States
French and Spanish Teacher, Life-long learner, Teacher - high school
This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
Is monolingualism mainly a white-anglophone condition? Could global multilingualism promote peace?
As a World Language teacher and a parent who's trying to raise bilingual kids in a monolingual town, I often wonder if and how our efforts as parents and language educators benefit our children. Many people see amazing benefits in learning another language, while many others feel it is a waste since "everyone in the world is learning to speak English." What are your thoughts? Is monolingualism limited to locations like the USA? If everyone everywhere were to learn at least 2 languages, native tongue, plus a language of choice, would this help promote peace through the multicultural awareness that language learning fosters? Do you think language learning is important? Why?
Harald Jezek 50+
I started with English at school, but can't say that I learned a lot. My English only took off after working for US companies and being forced to use English. Later I lived in the US which helped a lot. Nothing better for learning a language than actually living in the country. Spanish too, I started in school, but I always liked this language and constantly looked for ways to practice it. Again, I really became fluent after I started to travel frequently to Latin America and later living there. The same for Portuguese, although, Spanish already helped a lot with Portuguese. The 2 languages are very similar and living in Brazil was certainly very useful to improve my language skills.
So, my experience is that to really become fluent in a language, you have to be exposed to it. Living in the country is certainly a benefit, but not a must. You also can read, watch movies, find people you can talk to etc. Today, being able to effortlessly connect with anybody anywhere on the planet is a great help for those who want to practice a foreign language.
Kate Blake 50+
I have always been impressed by those who have even a second language and those who speak more, that is truly amazing! To me it must be an advantage to grow up with either parents or in a community that encourage speaking other languages.
Have had several attempts at learning other languages but circumstances didn't allow me to use them long enough to establish any real fluency.
And yes I sincerely believe that multilingualism could promote global peace! [wish I could say that in a few languages!]
Harald Jezek 50+
Spanish and Portuguese I learned differently. I simply took a few weeks of classes just to get the basic understanding how the grammar works and after that I just continued learning like a baby....listening and repeating. You wouldn't imagine how easy it easy to learn a language this way. Obviously, to make that method work, you must be immersed in a culture that speaks this particular language and you also must let yourself go, meaning, stop worrying whether you actually use the language correctly. At the end, language is only a convention between people and as long as you understand them and they understand you, everything is fine. Many people just worry too much and are afraid to make mistakes and therefore don't want to speak. But as many things in life, practicing is the key to success.
Kate Blake 50+
Would highly recommend to others living in a very different culture, one's tolerance must increase radically - or at least travel if you have the chance all these are amazing experiential lessons that will contribute to global peace! Not only do you as an individual learn more but then you educate family and friends as they have to reassess their limited opinions about other cultures and ways of life.
Audrey Misiano
Kate Blake 50+
Great for more tolerance towards those having similar struggles in our homelands.
Harald Jezek 50+
I lived in 5 different countries and speak 4 languages fluently. I could have "survived" with just English, but doing so, I would never have integrated in these cultures.
Beside, visiting a country or more importantly living in that country and speaking the local language is also an act of courtesy which in most cases is highly appreciated by the locals.
Audrey Misiano
Michael M 30+
Audrey Misiano
Thank you for your reply. I really like what you say about how being bilingual promotes becoming bicultural.
Mexico is right on track then as far as when second languages should be taught (and how long)...do you have an article or other source that you could share with me about Mexico's language education? I'd be really interested in reading it. Thank you!
Michael M 30+