Attitudes to language learning amongst secondary school students
Thursday, 26th March 2009
When you think of younger people aged 11 to 16 learning a foreign language, the first thing what comes to mind is the fact that some younger people struggle to learn English, let alone a completely different language!
In my first year of secondary school, like most of the students in my year, I was irresponsible and child-like, and when you dwell on 11 year olds learning a foreign language, you can just visualize chaos and commotion. But what is it about learning foreign languages that gets younger people so uninterested? Could it be the embarrassment of not being able to pronounce the words, or the inconsiderate approach to learning something slightly intricate, or do we just simply find it boring?
If you’d have seen my sheer insolence in my French lessons in years 7 and 8, you’d never have thought that I’d of opted for the subject just 1 year later. Even I was surprised with myself when I contemplated the fact that I would be studying the subject for an additional 2 years.
At this point, you’re probably inquisitive as to why I opted to study French language, well it’s simply because I think it would be inspiring to be able to speak another language. Honestly who wouldn’t want to be able to speak another language. Also, when you go abroad and say if you wanted to order a meal at a restaurant or have a conversation with a local, just imagine how cool it would be to be able to speak their language, to learn more about their culture and experience their way of life.
I’m sure you’ve acknowledged by now that I think being able to speak another language would just be unbelievable, but very few people even attempt it. Out of about 200 students in the year above me at my secondary school, only 6 of them opted to study a language for GCSE. That’s equivalent to 3/100, which denotes just 3%. Now I am certain that out of the 97% of those students who didn’t opt to study languages, at least 10% of them would either enjoy it or excel in the subject.
I asked a few of the people in my year why they didn’t opt to study a language, and they all gave me the same response, ‘Why should we learn another language? Today when the whole world is becoming English-speaking, I don’t see any reasons learning languages other than English.’ And this is probably what a lot of people think, including myself at one point. But knowing a foreign language will take people one step forward in global communication, and it will open more opportunities in their life. Knowing a foreign language may increase your chances of finding a new job, especially in the tourism and hospitality work field.
In conclusion, within the next few years, I am determined to study and concentrate decisively on French lessons in the hopes of speaking the language eloquently, and after reading this article, maybe this will inspire you to do the same.
Tags: secondary education, gcse, juniors, children, language learning, french
Posted by Jack Garrigan 2009-03 under Attitudes to Language Learning,
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