Full Version: Mandatory Mandarin
China is obviously an emerging power and will only continue to grow in importance in every aspect in the coming years. Many educators, parents, and students are asking for and receiving, language instruction in Chinese.
Questions for debate:
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
Questions for debate:
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
1. This isn't quite how I would put it. Rather, I would say that it is inevitable that, as part of the world becomes economically or politically important, more classes will be offered in its language. Supply and demand.
(An additional complication here is how difficult it is for a native speaker of English to learn the language. Probably more American students will continue to study German or French or Spanish than Chinese or Hindi or Japanese, because these languages are much more closely related to English.)
2. The big secret here, I think, is to start children learning other languages at a very young age. Young children seemed to have brains that are "programmed" to pick up language much more easily than older children.
3. It's hard to predict the future, but I don't think that English will completely fade away as a universal language, at least to some extent, for a long time to come. Other languages may become more important than they are now, but English will continue to be important, too.
(An additional complication here is how difficult it is for a native speaker of English to learn the language. Probably more American students will continue to study German or French or Spanish than Chinese or Hindi or Japanese, because these languages are much more closely related to English.)
2. The big secret here, I think, is to start children learning other languages at a very young age. Young children seemed to have brains that are "programmed" to pick up language much more easily than older children.
3. It's hard to predict the future, but I don't think that English will completely fade away as a universal language, at least to some extent, for a long time to come. Other languages may become more important than they are now, but English will continue to be important, too.
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
Getting fluent enough in a foreign language can take as much as 10 years for many people. By fluent, I mean fluent enough to make business deals and do hard sales in a foreign language. And given the instability of the global economy, you can't predict economic trends 10 years from now. After all, the tech boom of the 1990s didn't last and it looks like the Real Estate Bubble that developed since then isn't going to last either. So I think the Public School system should focus on improving the math, science, and English scores as well as teach practical job skills at the High School level.
Getting fluent enough in a foreign language can take as much as 10 years for many people. By fluent, I mean fluent enough to make business deals and do hard sales in a foreign language. And given the instability of the global economy, you can't predict economic trends 10 years from now. After all, the tech boom of the 1990s didn't last and it looks like the Real Estate Bubble that developed since then isn't going to last either. So I think the Public School system should focus on improving the math, science, and English scores as well as teach practical job skills at the High School level.
Preparing your children for the fututre is always a good idea. Rush out end enroll your child in chinese? no, but it might be a consideration. Globalization isn't going to end and those who have language skills to match their career field would of course benefit. At the same time other languages like spanish are just as valuable, remember its globalization not chinazation. Yes china is gonna be big but so will others--india and some day Africa will begin to enter as a player. Remember future forecasts are rarely accurate.
Someone should develop a course that prepares you to learn another language.
Someone should develop a course that prepares you to learn another language.
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
I think that is a good idea- I have my kids learning 4 languages at this point- Japanese, Spanish, Russian and English- can't believe I missed mandarin!
- we have a goal in m y house "7 by 12"- 7 languages, fluent, by 12. My girl is 6, and she is at the 3rd grade level equivilent in those 4 languages- and my boy, 3, is making even faster progress thanks to his big sister refusing to talk to him in English, only her other 3 languages- I think it is a very important tool for my kids future, and I want them to be competitive in school with the Euros and emerging Eastern Euro nations.
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
It should be mandatory, from K-12, that every child learn in at least 2 languages- the english only rules we are playing with today is ignorant, stupid and harmful to America.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
No way, no how. the rest of the world has geared up for years in teaching English as a biz language- I don't see them switching that in my lifetime- too much invested in it now.
I think that is a good idea- I have my kids learning 4 languages at this point- Japanese, Spanish, Russian and English- can't believe I missed mandarin!
- we have a goal in m y house "7 by 12"- 7 languages, fluent, by 12. My girl is 6, and she is at the 3rd grade level equivilent in those 4 languages- and my boy, 3, is making even faster progress thanks to his big sister refusing to talk to him in English, only her other 3 languages- I think it is a very important tool for my kids future, and I want them to be competitive in school with the Euros and emerging Eastern Euro nations. 2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
It should be mandatory, from K-12, that every child learn in at least 2 languages- the english only rules we are playing with today is ignorant, stupid and harmful to America.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
No way, no how. the rest of the world has geared up for years in teaching English as a biz language- I don't see them switching that in my lifetime- too much invested in it now.
QUOTE(nebraska29 @ Dec 31 2006, 03:36 AM) 
Questions for debate:
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
1. Twenty years ago, it was the Japanese that were emerging as an economic power. Did we focus on learning Japanese then? No, we didn't. Has it harmed us in any measurable fashion? Depends on how you measure it, but I'd put my money on "no".
There are two reasons for this: first of all, the Japanese readily learned English and we trade in English. Today, the Chinese also are learning English. Despite that fact that half a billion Chinese live on less than two dollars a day, they learn English in school. In fact, this is true in most developed nations: in Italy, it was possible for me to function without fluency in Italian. The guys I know who travel to Asia do not know Japanese or Mandarin or any other language other than English. They function fine.
The second reason (with the Japanese) was that the Japanese boom did not last. Although economically formidable, the Japanese recession in the 1990s has limited any need to learn Japanese to trade globally.
2. The first question that should be answered is "should language instruction be drastically improved?". So far, it has not posed a challenge to the US's global dominance in trade and culture. There's a return on investment that needs to be evaluated. I'd forward the notion that the US's poor grasp of foreign languages (and cultures) has contributed a great deal to English being the primary language used throughout the world for international dealings. If you want to trade with those ignorant Americans, you need to learn English, since those rubes aren't going to learn your language.
3. It is highly unlikely that Mandarin Chinese will replace English anytime soon. China simply does not have the political, economic and cultural dominance like the US does (and Great Britain did before it).
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
Such course offerings should reflect the likelihood of usage. And they usually do. I'm much more likely to find French or Spanish (or German for that matter) useful than Chinese.
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
Language learning comes through practice. Period. Most people I know lament that the American system of education doesn't emphasize foreign language enough. Of course, they themselves never bothered to learn. I must ask, what is stopping them? If you want to learn a language, learn it. The problem is the same either way...the only way to retain a language is to use it, and we don't.
How many times do most people residing in the US find that they need to know a foreign language? Almost never. On the other hand, for a European six hours travel usually leads them to another country where it is necessary (or helpful) to know that language. At the very least they have the opportunity to practice.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
Not likely in the next hundred years at least. English is the international language of business for the Chinese, too. And they are pretty good at it from what I saw when I visited about ten years back....better even than the South Koreans who take ten obligatory years of English courses, minimum.
Such course offerings should reflect the likelihood of usage. And they usually do. I'm much more likely to find French or Spanish (or German for that matter) useful than Chinese.
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
Language learning comes through practice. Period. Most people I know lament that the American system of education doesn't emphasize foreign language enough. Of course, they themselves never bothered to learn. I must ask, what is stopping them? If you want to learn a language, learn it. The problem is the same either way...the only way to retain a language is to use it, and we don't.
How many times do most people residing in the US find that they need to know a foreign language? Almost never. On the other hand, for a European six hours travel usually leads them to another country where it is necessary (or helpful) to know that language. At the very least they have the opportunity to practice.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
Not likely in the next hundred years at least. English is the international language of business for the Chinese, too. And they are pretty good at it from what I saw when I visited about ten years back....better even than the South Koreans who take ten obligatory years of English courses, minimum.
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
Schools should offer courses that will help be succeed and that there is a demand for.
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
Foreign language should be more conversationally based and Americans who truly want to learn foreign languages should spend time immersed in the culture where the language is primary.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
Very likely no. China historically has not expressed an internationalist emphasis and it is not even yet the dominant langauge of Asia. English may lose its preeminence and may no longer be the lingua franc of the world. But that term itself reveals that things change.
Schools should offer courses that will help be succeed and that there is a demand for.
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
Foreign language should be more conversationally based and Americans who truly want to learn foreign languages should spend time immersed in the culture where the language is primary.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
Very likely no. China historically has not expressed an internationalist emphasis and it is not even yet the dominant langauge of Asia. English may lose its preeminence and may no longer be the lingua franc of the world. But that term itself reveals that things change.
If you wish to be truly profficient at a language- you need to speak it before 7 years old- it is much more difficult to learn later, unless you have talents in that direction, and it is much easier to learn a language later if you have 2 or 3 by 7.
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
Up to a point, although it can be taken too far; during the school years of any one person of, say, 18 years old today, they might have started off learning Japanese and German, and now they would be better off learning Mandarin, Sechuan and Cantonese. In five year's time, the "best" (in the sense of most economically useful) language to learn might change again.
On such a basis, people end up knowing too little to be able to speak conversationally, let alone about business.
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
I don't know how it currently works there, but if it's anything like Britain, I daresay that starting at an earlier age would be the best bet. Anecdotally, I've heard that it's not only easier to learn a language by about age 7, but that once you know two languages fluently, it's a lot easier to learn more.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
Hard to say right now. China is currently much more interested in selling to the rest of the world than buying from it, and so (like every great trading power that didn't gain pre-eminence through conquest) its people are trying to learn the languages that of the people to whom it is selling. Because of the quirks of world history, those languages are dominated by English.
This is not just because of American dominance, but of historic legacies of British Empire. I won't pursue the idea that American dominance IS a legacy of British Empire, as in present company that might not go down too well
. But, for example, where China is attempting to secure natural mineral resources all over Africa, and the legacy of European colonialism there means that, rather than learning 101 different tribal languages, the Chinese can do business with almost everyone by learning English and French.
So by the time China overtakes America as the world's largest MARKET (as distinct from the largest exporter, in which it hasn't yet overtaken Germany, though it's catching fast), at which point the rest of the world will need to deal with China on China's own terms, chances are enough business people will already know English, and English will be so ingrained on Chinese business culture, that it won't be necessary to learn Mandarin. This is still a long way off.
One thing future Americans will have to get used to, in this scenario, is hearing foreigners speak "Chinese English" i.e. with a Chinese accent, and some grammatical and linguistic peculiarities. And not just Chinese foreigners, ALL foreigners. Imagine hearing a Mexican or a German speaking English with a strong Chinese accent. Odd, isn't it?
(We Brits have had a similar experience for some time now - most Europeans who learn English speak British English, but every now and again one hears a German or Italian speaking American English, and it just sounds... odd. It's no surprise to hear people from other parts of the world speak American English, but Europeans from "our" backyard sound quite strange.)
Up to a point, although it can be taken too far; during the school years of any one person of, say, 18 years old today, they might have started off learning Japanese and German, and now they would be better off learning Mandarin, Sechuan and Cantonese. In five year's time, the "best" (in the sense of most economically useful) language to learn might change again.
On such a basis, people end up knowing too little to be able to speak conversationally, let alone about business.
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
I don't know how it currently works there, but if it's anything like Britain, I daresay that starting at an earlier age would be the best bet. Anecdotally, I've heard that it's not only easier to learn a language by about age 7, but that once you know two languages fluently, it's a lot easier to learn more.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
Hard to say right now. China is currently much more interested in selling to the rest of the world than buying from it, and so (like every great trading power that didn't gain pre-eminence through conquest) its people are trying to learn the languages that of the people to whom it is selling. Because of the quirks of world history, those languages are dominated by English.
This is not just because of American dominance, but of historic legacies of British Empire. I won't pursue the idea that American dominance IS a legacy of British Empire, as in present company that might not go down too well
. But, for example, where China is attempting to secure natural mineral resources all over Africa, and the legacy of European colonialism there means that, rather than learning 101 different tribal languages, the Chinese can do business with almost everyone by learning English and French. So by the time China overtakes America as the world's largest MARKET (as distinct from the largest exporter, in which it hasn't yet overtaken Germany, though it's catching fast), at which point the rest of the world will need to deal with China on China's own terms, chances are enough business people will already know English, and English will be so ingrained on Chinese business culture, that it won't be necessary to learn Mandarin. This is still a long way off.
One thing future Americans will have to get used to, in this scenario, is hearing foreigners speak "Chinese English" i.e. with a Chinese accent, and some grammatical and linguistic peculiarities. And not just Chinese foreigners, ALL foreigners. Imagine hearing a Mexican or a German speaking English with a strong Chinese accent. Odd, isn't it?
(We Brits have had a similar experience for some time now - most Europeans who learn English speak British English, but every now and again one hears a German or Italian speaking American English, and it just sounds... odd. It's no surprise to hear people from other parts of the world speak American English, but Europeans from "our" backyard sound quite strange.)
Even though English is the predominant language for International Business, I do believe that America does need more of its citizens to be fluent in a foreign language. America right now has been running gigantic trade deficits for over 20 years and that has cost America millions of manufacturing jobs. If America wants to save its remaining manufacturing jobs from global competition, then America needs people who can sell things to people who have a different native language.
Yes, English is the International business language. However, if you want to do a business deal and actually be able to sell your product, speaking your partner's native language fluently will help seal your business deals. I'm studying Korean hard every day. And one of the reasons for doing so is so that I can someday come back to America and help American factory workers sell their products to Asia. China and other countries currently seem interested in accumulating dollars rather than spending them. I don't want them using those dollars to buy American Military weapons or turn every American town into a Walmart dump. I want them using those dollars to buy American products and provide decent jobs to the American people.
Yes, English is the International business language. However, if you want to do a business deal and actually be able to sell your product, speaking your partner's native language fluently will help seal your business deals. I'm studying Korean hard every day. And one of the reasons for doing so is so that I can someday come back to America and help American factory workers sell their products to Asia. China and other countries currently seem interested in accumulating dollars rather than spending them. I don't want them using those dollars to buy American Military weapons or turn every American town into a Walmart dump. I want them using those dollars to buy American products and provide decent jobs to the American people.
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
We'll, currently is spanish the second biggest langauge in America, so most people learn it. That makes sense. Learning French and German has questionable practical uses, but people do it because they are so inclined.
Should Mandarin be taught more? I'll answer that it should be if we are so inclined to want to learn it. As I will state later in this post, I don't think its going to be of much practical use now or in the future.
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
Maybe foreign langauge should be mandatorily taught at an early age? 4th, 5th grade? I don't think kids are developmentally ready to get much done before then. As for how it can be better taught, i'm not sure. I lack the expertise neccessary to have an opinion in so far as that goes.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
English is the national langauge of the US, Britian, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan. Its also the second langauge of educated folks all over the world. The status quo is self reinforcing, and with English being spoked as a matter of course by around 1.5 billion...I just don't Mandarin replacing it.
We'll, currently is spanish the second biggest langauge in America, so most people learn it. That makes sense. Learning French and German has questionable practical uses, but people do it because they are so inclined.
Should Mandarin be taught more? I'll answer that it should be if we are so inclined to want to learn it. As I will state later in this post, I don't think its going to be of much practical use now or in the future.
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
Maybe foreign langauge should be mandatorily taught at an early age? 4th, 5th grade? I don't think kids are developmentally ready to get much done before then. As for how it can be better taught, i'm not sure. I lack the expertise neccessary to have an opinion in so far as that goes.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
English is the national langauge of the US, Britian, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan. Its also the second langauge of educated folks all over the world. The status quo is self reinforcing, and with English being spoked as a matter of course by around 1.5 billion...I just don't Mandarin replacing it.
Questions for debate:
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
Yes. My 11 year old son studies Chinese in 6th grade
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
Easy start young. For decades we have known that children learn new languages faster before the age of 7 – so what do we do? Start teaching foreign language AFTER this age.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese
Doubtful. It will be sometime before China passes even Japan in economic power and few speak Japanese. English is an entrenched language in that area and will not be pushed aside easily.
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
Yes. My 11 year old son studies Chinese in 6th grade
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
Easy start young. For decades we have known that children learn new languages faster before the age of 7 – so what do we do? Start teaching foreign language AFTER this age.
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese
Doubtful. It will be sometime before China passes even Japan in economic power and few speak Japanese. English is an entrenched language in that area and will not be pushed aside easily.
QUOTE(nebraska29 @ Dec 31 2006, 03:36 AM)
China is obviously an emerging power and will only continue to grow in importance in every aspect in the coming years. Many educators, parents, and students are asking for and receiving, language instruction in Chinese.
Questions for debate:
1.)Should what is taught in foreign language courses correspond with trends in economics and world power?
2.)How can foreign language instruction be drastically improved in America?
3.)Will English, the international language of business, be replaced by Chinese?
1) I think you need to adopt the education system to what is happening in the world. Twenty years ago there was no real need to teach Chinese in schools, but today there is a good reason to teach it. When I was in school the options were Latin, French, and Spanish (I took all three over my four years). It seems logical to add Chinese today so that our youth is more prepared for tomorrow.
2) I would improve instruction by starting in the First grade. It has been shown when children learn foreign languages at a younger age that they pick them up more quickly, as such it would be a great starting point. This could be an administrative headache though I can appreciate, but it would seem you could make it easier by hiring several part time teachers, sort of like how Art teachers are hired, and go from there.
3) I don't think so, especially considering how much easier English is to learn than Chinese, especially with the alphabet.
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