Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
Print
E-Mail
tool name
close
What a delight to see 8-year-old Lilly Stillwell's contribution to the Oct. 4 Fast Focus. I don't know Spanish, but I got the gist of it. They say it's easier to learn than English. If I was younger and wanted to improve my enjoyment of life, especially if I was in the work force, maybe I'd work on it. But I'm just too lazy.
Languages are also more easily picked up when we're children, absorbed like sponges. I learned a tad of Latin and French in grade school. But it became less mandatory and more elective, so I just know enough to get through a crossword puzzle.
Globalization started decades ago and is marching along, unable to be stopped even if we wanted. I sometimes wonder if poor communication by officials due to a single misunderstood word may result in a wrong decision. Who knows?
Instead of following the stagnant "tried and true" mentality, resulting in reverting to English-only, we should be expanding access to languages in our schools. Electives won't do it. It should be mandatory to learn a choice of two foreign languages K-12 in today's world. Tri-City children could go forward with confidence, not backward with insecurity. Call it an investment.
ELIZABETH KOSKI, Richland
@Nyx.CommentBody@