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Foreign Language Education (1) Background ("Language teachers must…

- - - - Herr Hadley
        
        When did you start learning your target language (German)? -I started in 8th grade unofficially before I chose to start officially learning German in 9th grade. I then took one year at Lebanon Valley College before later starting to study at Millersville for 2 1'2 years.
        
        Why did you decide to Teach the language? -I have always had an affinity for the language and the culture, as my maternal grandparents came off the boat back in the '30s. I also very much enjoy being able to express myself in multiple languages and connecting with others in their native tongue. Perhaps sadly, I am also a grammar nut and derive a great deal of pleasure from breaking down the structure of language itself. I absolutely love sharing all of this with others, which is the reason I switched from clinical psychology to German education.
        
        What difficulties come with teaching a language compared to teaching other subjects? -Simply put, how in the world am I going to be understood when speaking a language no one in the room understands (yet)? In all other subjects, the instructors can proceed with a high degree of confidence that they will be able to express themselves and be understood. This is not the case when teaching a language.
        
        What are the problems related to starting to learn a language later in life? -The "problems" are many, but can be overcome with dedication and LOTS of hard work. As I see it, the biggest issues are not relying on the native language as a fallback and just simply understanding what is being said. The longer one waits, the more the native language interferes with the acquisition of a second language. Interestingly, almost all Americans start learning a second language too late by all accounts, and yet we continue with the same old way of doing things.
        
        How does knowing/ learning a second language benefit in other areas of learning (math/reading)? -A second language helps in almost every way. As I recall from my methods courses, social skills, problem solving, creative thinking, and logical deduction all improve immensely (just to name a few).
        
        How could we improve Foreign Affairs through learning languages? -Charlemagne said that to speak a second language is to possess a second soul. Empathy is something that many are lacking in this country (and the world at large). To gain a "second soul" in this way connects a person to others in a way that cannot be matched through any other efforts or methods.
        
        Do you think there is a gap between language learning compared to learning in other countries? -If I understand the question, yes, I think that there is a large gap between America and the rest of the world when it comes to learning a second language. American and Great Britain have been on top of the worldwide economy for so long that all others are forced to learn English if they want any kind of international respect or success. We just don't appreciate how difficult it is to acquire a second language and just what it means to others to be able to communicate with them in their mother tongues.
        
        Is there a demand for language courses? There is a ridiculous demand for people who are bilingual, so, by extension, I would say yes, indeed. I may get into trouble for this, but I believe that part of the problem that Americans run into when trying to learn a second language is the current push for testing and proficiency in areas such as science, math, and English to the point that the acquisition of a second language is made, at best, a third or fourth priority to most. The shame of it is that brain function and academic performance are exponentially increased when a person possesses two distinct perspectives of the world through two separate language systems.
      - Herr Wert
        
        I started learning German when I was 6 years old, in a summer course offered at Kutztown Elementary School. In those days, long before personal computing, I took courses in German and typing. Half a century later, I spend much of my day working with German and typing on a computer keyboard.
        
        I decided to teach German because when I was a substitute teacher in various school districts, I found that I loved working with high school students. A second reason was that I enjoy learning German, German geography, and working with the language.
        
        It can be difficult for a foreign language teacher to explain her teaching methods and the rationale behind them to teachers in other subject areas.
        
        The biggest problem with beginning to learn a language later in life is with pronunciation. It is hard for older learners to understand that the target language contains sounds that they have never formed with their mouths and throats in their native language. Another basic problem is the lack of exposure (hearing and reading) to the target language; it's hard to make up for this deficit later in life.
        
        I have found that I understand the structure and origins of English better as a result of my study of German. Disciplining yourself to learn the syntax of German is also helpful when it comes to learning the syntax of computer programming languages. Furthermore, examining the philosophy or world-view that underlies certain German expressions can help us become more aware of basic cultural differences and expose us to different perspectives of reality.
        
        See the last part of my response to the previous question. If we can experience the different perspectives that are inherent in the target language, it can help us see the world through the eyes of people from a different culture than our own.
        
        Students in other countries get an earlier start in learning foreign languages, and their societies place a greater importance on foreign language learning in general. In this respect, these countries have a more enlightened attitude toward foreign language learning. There are also geographic reasons for this: Most of us Americans live relatively far away from the nearest area where a language other than English is spoken. Europeans with different languages tend to live in closer proximity to one another and are thus more-or-less forced to have at least some proficiency in one another's languages.
        
        There is a great demand for foreign language learning, especially among adults. Modern technology is providing a greater variety of methods for learning languages, but it can also create the false impression that there is an easy shortcut to learning them. Unless and until neurosurgeons are able to instantly implant foreign language proficiency into our brains, hard work and practice will still be required. Anyone who wants to master a foreign language has to be willing to do that hard work.