The Paideia Program-Part II-Ch.9 - A Foreign Language

Along with the "Mathematics" and "Science" curricula, I strongly agree with The Group, when it comes to their beliefs about studying a foreign language in school. The benefits of studying a foreign language, especially in today's world are so strong, I do not know how someone could not see the benefits of studying a foreign language.

In The Paideia School, there are 2 Purposes for studying a foreign language. They are:

1. To enhance language skills in general, and to promote a better understanding of language, again in general. -- The beneficiary is the fact that student will better understand their own language by studying another language.
2. To expand the cultural experiences of students and beyond that of their immediate linguistic group. -- A way to avoid cultural pluralism. (Adler 1984, p. 134-135)

The Group also has ways that these purposes are to be served, depending on the year of schooling that you are in. In The Early Years, "It is the best time to introduce to a foreign language because learners are not yet able to read and write in their own language. It is also exciting to them and the speed at which they acquire the knowledge will bolster their self-esteem" (Adler, 1984)(p.136)
It is during these years that you want to focus on informal conversation, stories, songs, and plays. Adler writes that, "Coaching is central to successful language teaching and learning, whether the skill desired is in one's native language or a foreign language" (Adler, 1984)(p.137).

The Later Years are the second years of schooling that The Group focuses on. During these years Adler writes, an "Analysis of its grammar and linguistic structures, the study of its literature, and the introduction of problems of translation, which are complex and difficult, increase the understanding that has already been acquired through conversational skills" (Adler, 1984)(p.138).

Concerning the appropriate length of study of foreign language, Adler states that, "At least 4 years by all students, with an allowance for an extension to the program to 6 years of study by all students wherever a school finds it expedient"(Adler, 1984)(p. 138).