'Am I wrong to be disgusted that my 5yo is learning Lithuanian?'

[scentednappyhag]

This is a status on my Facebook newsfeed this morning.
She goes on to say there's nothing wrong with learning French or Spanish, but she's 'notimpressed.com'.

AIBU to delete this person on the grounds that their inner arsehole is hanging out?

If there is a largeLithuanian community where they live it makes perfect sense.

Learning it where? From the grandparents? At school?

What is her objection? That's really weird. So some languages are acceptable and others are not? Strange woman. Is it that some countries are acceptable and others are not?...

Just tell them to pasiklysti!

I would be unimpressed if my 5yo was learning Lithuanian at school TBH. It is not a commonly spoken language and therefore not the most useful thing to be learning when at 5 they are like sponges and could easily be picking up a second language which may help them in later life.

And before the cries of 'racist', I would like to point out that Manderin would also be acceptable, or indeed any other commonly spoken language in the business world.

Is it a stealth boast? Such as when you see on MN, 'Oh, I just don't know what to do, my 3yo wants to read War and Peace and I just don't think it's appropriate yet...'

The only time I struggled with not speaking a language it was when I had Lithuanian housemates. That and Polish would seem rather useful languages to be taught in my area.

But to be fair you have to appreciate that being able to order food in restaurants when on holiday is a far more essential skill than being able to communicate with classmates who are the offspring of immigrants for some people

So, she has a problem with Lithuanians then. Nice.

Delete

I would prefer my children to be taught a more international language, like Spanish, but any second language when they are young enough will benefit a child in learning a further language later in life.

I suppose it depends on how and why the child is learning it.

I wouldn't want my 5 year old learning Lithuanian to be fair. Not because I have anything against Lithuanians but because it isn't the most useful use of time.

I would prefer Spanish, Manarin, French, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, German, Italian, Polish. In that order because they're the languages I think would be most useful for her to know.

I am working on getting her bilingual English-Portuguese but that's only because of her heritage and Brazilian friends/family members, not any degree of future usefulness really.

At school? I'd much rather a more international language like French was taught at that age.

Surely if people (any race,religion,nationality) are going to emigrate to an english speaking country THEY should be the ones to learn english?

If I emigrated to France/Spain/Lithuania I certainly would not expect the locals to accommodate me.

So using that logic I too would have an issue with this. Lithuanian isnt a common worldwide language.

If we're talking the best language to learn to set you up in life, the way things are going today, I'd encourage my children to learn Russian, Chinese or Kiswahili - that's where the future is. That's where the growth and opportunities are imo.

Yes. Delete.

If they are spending a lot of time on it they aren't going to have picked Lithuanian out of their arse, it will be for a reason.

DDs preschool has lots of Hungarian language ties because there are several children there who are bi-lingual with Hungarian. It makes total sense to me.

Why does she have a problem with Lithuanians because she doesn't want her five year olds time at school wasted by learning a language s/he is unlikely to make use of when older? That's just looking to be offended.

I wouldn't want my child to learn Lithuanian, it would be pointless and a waste of time. I'd rather they learned a language they are likely to come across and actually use for work.

If there are Lithuanian kids in the class, then they will be learning English, so communication between classmates shouldn't be a problem.

I agree, Spanish or Mandarin would be far more useful. Lithuanian is not a great use of school time. I say this as someone whos dd is best friends with a Lithuanian girl.

Why is her child learning Lithuanian?

I agree. It isn't racist it's just ... Why Lithuanian?! I would prefer mandarin too

Would depend. Dd had lessons in polish, as a polish boy was joining her class and his English was limited. They taught them some so they could welcome the boy. Dd has picked up some more from him, as have others, as he has picked up more English. I thought it was a nice idea.
Generally though I would expect to see more 'international' languages taught. Especially if that is the only language they are learning.
Although I would like to see a break from standard French and German. Dd school teaches French in class and has extra classes in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. Next year they are adding another.
We are lucky as languages is high on the schools priority list (and mine) and as it is an academy they can do these things. They are usually a lunchtime or after school activity for those that want it.

Her inner arsehole is hanging out? Fantastic, thanks, I will try to put this to use today.

Lithuanian is the second most widely spoken language after English in my DS's school.

Perhaps hers is the same?

OP, either delete this person or don't....you don't need to ask MN.

Children are more likely to learn a language well if they are actually using it. So, assuming there are Lithuanian children in the class it's a good place to start because they can practice with each other (it will also help those children's English if the other children are socialising with them)

That continuous practice of another language will be really helpful when they try and learn other (potentially more useful in the long-term) languages.

Learning Mandarin and then not using it for 10 years is not going to put those children at any advantage at all, because without the repetition and practice they will just forget it again.

YANBU. Lithuania looks fascinating, her loss if that's her attitude!

I know Worra, but I was wondering what people opinions were and didn't want to misuse AIBU too much
Interesting the mix of views though

People's* blardy iPhone!