what will i do?

[jlyon]

i have come to the conclusion that when my kids get rolling good in school, i will probably become an ass. i hate the fact that knowing they will be learning about all these other countries over ours and having to learn a different language as manditory, actually pisses me off. now, if they want to learn a different language, that's fine, if THEY want to. im sure im in the minority on this, but does this make anyone else upset?

[jefehbk]

when you were in school you did not have to take a foreign language? I also remember taking U.S. History as well as world history so i was learning about other countries and their histories as well.

[jlyon]

when you were in school you did not have to take a foreign language? I also remember taking U.S. History as well as world history so i was learning about other countries and their histories as well.

nope, it was an elective, so i didn't HAVE to take it. ofcourse, i have been out of school for almost 20 years. i also don't remember learning about other countries. i do remember taking social studies and history.

[bonnie&clyde]

tell them to learn spanish since they will be using it more than any other language out there

[jlyon]

tell them to learn spanish since they will be using it more than any other language out there

that's the thing, i don't want my kids to learn another language to please everyone else. if my kids want to learn for themselves, then so be it.

[Vertnut]

i have come to the conclusion that when my kids get rolling good in school, i will probably become an ass. i hate the fact that knowing they will be learning about all these other countries over ours and having to learn a different language as manditory, actually pisses me off. now, if they want to learn a different language, that's fine, if THEY want to. im sure im in the minority on this, but does this make anyone else upset?

Relax. The schools in Greenville are so bad, they'll be lucky to learn proper english!

Seriously, my grown girls had to take a foreign language through most of high school because colleges require it. As long as english is their first language, I see no problem. Besides, how are they going to get someone to cut their grass if all they know is english?

[Moose242]

The "I don't want my kids learning about other countries" mentality is incredibly ignorant and is one of the reasons that other nations look at Americans as ignorant asses.

As for the foreign language thing, why not learn one? I think it makes for a well rounded individual. I cannot tell you how disadvantaged I am for not learning French as a history major studying medieval Britain. Those fortunate enough to have studied French in high school and continued on in college have access to better primary sources. I don't really regret taking Spanish, but I wish I would have taken French. But hey, I am reasonably fluent in Spanish now.

At my University, as a part of my history degree program we are required to take 3 American history classes, 3 European history classes, 2 world, and a bunch of our choosing (I am specializing in British history). Keep in mind that America is a young place, not a lot has happened here in the grand scheme of things and our history is rooted in Europe.

Many things happen outside of America, I suggest you follow them. There is a big world out there, and it is great to travel around it and learn about it. I like to think that the classroom preps you for those experiences.

[jlyon]

The "I don't want my kids learning about other countries" mentality is incredibly ignorant and is one of the reasons that other nations look at Americans as ignorant asses.

As for the foreign language thing, why not learn one? I think it makes for a well rounded individual. I cannot tell you how disadvantaged I am for not learning French as a history major studying medieval Britain. Those fortunate enough to have studied French in high school and continued on in college have access to better primary sources. I don't really regret taking Spanish, but I wish I would have taken French. But hey, I am reasonably fluent in Spanish now.

At my University, as a part of my history degree program we are required to take 3 American history classes, 3 European history classes, 2 world, and a bunch of our choosing (I am specializing in British history). Keep in mind that America is a young place, not a lot has happened here in the grand scheme of things and our history is rooted in Europe.

Many things happen outside of America, I suggest you follow them. There is a big world out there, and it is great to travel around it and learn about it. I like to think that the classroom preps you for those experiences.

i understand what your saying, but, i have no want to learn about any other place as i will never go there. i won't get on a plane to travel anywhere. i may be ignorant for not wanting my kids to learn more about some other shit hole over and above America, but that's how i feel. it sounds like your what you want to do for a living requires all the extra "knowledge", then that's fine, same for my kids. if they want to learn that stuff, im fine with it, but i don't like the fact that it will be pushed down their throats to learn it.

[jwalk]

I graduated in 88 and foreign language was required. If you dont like the options you can always home school. Of course some people want their children to grow up so sheltered that they dont know how to interact with society.

[jlyon]

I graduated in 88 and foreign language was required. If you dont like the options you can always home school. Of course some people want their children to grow up so sheltered that they dont know how to interact with society.

i don't know, but i never had to take a foreign language class, and i did graduate. no need to home school, but i can still be pissed about it.

[Moose242]

i understand what your saying, but, i have no want to learn about any other place as i will never go there. i won't get on a plane to travel anywhere. i may be ignorant for not wanting my kids to learn more about some other shit hole over and above America, but that's how i feel. it sounds like your what you want to do for a living requires all the extra "knowledge", then that's fine, same for my kids. if they want to learn that stuff, im fine with it, but i don't like the fact that it will be pushed down their throats to learn it.

You need to give your kids every opportunity, that includes an opportunity to learn about a smattering of subjects. What if your kid learns German? You can make a hell of a lot of money traveling to Switzerland or Germany if you have a finance degree or a business degree and the ability to speak the language. Knowing about other places/events can help in conversation as well in a professional setting. Also, who says your kids wont travel? I have had more life enriching experiences abroad than I could have ever had sitting on my ass on a computer here in Texas.

I don't know, this is kind of a hot topic with me. It bothers me that so many people are so ignorant of the outside world and just approach everything with the "HURR, 'MURICA IS THE BEST" mentality.

[Skidmark]

Have them learn Mandarin Chinese.

[jwalk]

Having lived in or invaded parts of 10 different countries I agree its nice to know a little about the world. X2 on learning Chinese. My cousin did and goes over to teach English to business professionals and made crazy money for very little work.

I wish I had payed more attention in Spanish back in the day.

[jlyon]

You need to give your kids every opportunity, that includes an opportunity to learn about a smattering of subjects. What if your kid learns German? You can make a hell of a lot of money traveling to Switzerland or Germany if you have a finance degree or a business degree and the ability to speak the language. Knowing about other places/events can help in conversation as well in a professional setting. Also, who says your kids wont travel? I have had more life enriching experiences abroad than I could have ever had sitting on my ass on a computer here in Texas.

I don't know, this is kind of a hot topic with me. It bothers me that so many people are so ignorant of the outside world and just approach everything with the "HURR, 'MURICA IS THE BEST" mentality.

America is the best, and Texas is better!!!! anyway, im not trying to start a board war or anything. if they learn German, that's fine, if that's what they want to learn about. i wouldn't say im ignorant to the outside world, it's just that i really don't care. the only thing i care about is my family, and my family is right here. do kids HAVE to learn about America and our language else where? probably not.

[Da Prez]

guess you dont want your kids to get any kind of higher education, most scholarships require second language, community service and all that crap...