AIBU to think it is a good idea for people to learn a 2nd/3rd language at school?

[SerenityNowakaBleh]

Kind of sparked by one of them comments on this article (Helena) who said that "modern languages are a huge waste of time for a lot of children(and adults)(it's the least important subject on the curriculum!).".

AIBU to think that's a bit wrong? I had to learn possibly one of the most useless languages in the world at school, from the age of 6, but learning another language (no matter how useless) did kind of help lay the foundations for other languages. I personally feel that most children, most people would benefit from learning a second language. It gives you a very different perspective on the world, gives you some insight into how other cultures think, and broadens your options?

I am biased, as I am an enthusiastic (though rather rubbish) fan of learning languages, and have seen how it has enriched my life (like being able to translate Communist Baddies in rubbish movies from the 80s from Russian).

Am I wierd cos I did Latin in primary? We did it from year 4.

No, not weird at all. The way I learnt Latin though (I started at 14, mind you the Italian school system is totally different) makes me think it'd be too complicated for a primary school child. But perhaps there are different methods, and, as usual, in Italy we were using the oldest, hardest method of all

We had a really fun book with sentences like 'Caecilius est in horto, Cerberus est in via'. It was great. Then we got to secondary and everyone from my prep got given Greek textbooks so we had something to do during Latin lessons and extra homework so maybe it wasn't such a great plan...

Latin at primary levels is coveted by ambitious parents.
I stuck by my guns (shit, is that even an expression?) that not everything needs to be useful, who cares!
I am sure that there is more to Geneva than meets the eye, surely, (is there something as the underbelly of Geneva ?)

You are totally not being unreasonable, I too think it's really important and am regretful that I can only speak English. We have Norwegian friends (most people have a very good grasp of English there, at least under the age of 35) and when I visit them, they are always introducing me to Norwegians who say things like "Oh, you're English! I do apologise for my poor grasp of English, I only did a very small amount at school and do enjoy having the opportunity to use it when I can"

Dp's friend is moving his family somewhere in Cambridgeshire where the=re is a private primary school where they teach latin, so voila! Sounds like a nightmare school and would not touch it with a bargepole but here you go.

Other than the fact latin is a dead language and you're not going to speak it on holiday what makes it any different to learning French or Spanish in primary? Or Japanese or mandarin? It's still a language.

Plus until primaries standardise which language they teach there are always going to be beginners in every modern language when you get to secondary so you may as well do something a bit different!

I totally agree.

I have done a bit of travelling around Europe this year and have been almost ashamed that I can only speak English and French.

In Ireland a modern European language is compulsory up until Leaving Cert (A level), in addition to Irish.

I learned Latin at primary school and it was essential for general language skills as well as learning about civilisation etc.

I learned Irish from 4-18, French from 8-18, Latin from 8-14 (I don't regret dropping it then as the basics really helped) and German from 12-15 (both up to Junior Cert/GCSE level). I admit that would have been tough for someone who really struggles with languages.

It is so much easier for children to learn when their younger . I would make Latin and one modern European language compulsory up to GCSE and then drop the Latin for A levels.

The quality of the language teaching when it is done also leaves a lot to be desired.

I teach French students in the summer about to do their Baccalaureat exams the following year, and they put my degree in French to shame, never mind my A level.

I'd love to do latin. It's on my list of things to do before I die......