High School drops French and German instruction, keeps Spanish - in response to changing demographics

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Stacey Bousellam's daughters studied Spanish, French and German in Spotswood schools and have enjoyed the variety.

But the diversity in the district's world language program may be dropped because the board of education is considering eliminating French and German beginning in 2011 and only offering Spanish at the high school.

...

The board of education is considering paring down the program because they believe all students need to learn Spanish as a result of America's changing demographics, said Superintendent John Krewer.

"We looked at the demographics and the percentage of people speaking Spanish, and learning Spanish will make them more marketable and competitive," he said.

...

Spotswood parent Gail Dress said students should have a choice in the language they learn.

"I understand it's practical," Dress said of Spanish, "but they should be able to learn what they want."

Her daughter, Debra, a sophomore, enjoys learning Spanish, but said students shouldn't be forced to take it.

...

Spotswood's high school students are only required to take one year of a foreign language, but the board is considering changing it to two years. The goal is to encourage students to take a foreign language three to four years, Krewer said.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/middlesex/in....xml&coll=1

[Amby 490]

oh boooo. people should learn the language they want not just have one choice. I do agree that spanish is becoming more and more important in the US though.

[Nizzy 1]

I think Sign Language should be available in schools.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Amber, I hear you but the board is on to something here. French and German are simply not relevant anymore.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

oh boooo. people should learn the language they want not just have one choice. I do agree that spanish is becoming more and more important in the US though.

English classes are required in many countries. Spanish shouldn't continue to be an elective. I agree they shouldn't get rid of other languages, but a student would then have to take Spanish in addition to whatever elective languages they wish to learn.

Edited February 11, 2008 by Mister Fancypants

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Spanish shouldn't continue to be an elective.

I agree. All kids should be required to learn Spanish in this day and age!

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

French and German are simply not relevant anymore.

i disagree

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

French and German are simply not relevant anymore.

i disagree

The school board agrees with me, and they are trained professionals

[DeadPoolX 9]

Amber, I hear you but the board is on to something here. French and German are simply not relevant anymore.

I wonder the French and the Germans would have to say about that? Oh wait. They can't say anything, can they? Their language isn't relevant anymore. Silly me.

[Alex+R 0]

French and German are simply not relevant anymore.

i disagree

The school board agrees with me, and they are trained professionals

Lol, no they're not. They're just some locals with nothing better to do than run for office... O could agree that we should all learn one language if there were one that was an international language besides English, but since Esperanto isn't in vogue at the moment, uh, I'm gonna have to say give the kids a choice. Spanish is useful in some places, but French is useful in others. German is just funny. That language should be outlawed, period.

[Alex+R 0]

Amber, I hear you but the board is on to something here. French and German are simply not relevant anymore.

I wonder the French and the Germans would have to say about that? Oh wait. They can't say anything, can they? Their language isn't relevant anymore. Silly me.

Yeah, STFU, Frenchies. Si vous ne voulez pas apprendre l'espagnol, you should quitter the damn country

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

I think Sign Language should be available in schools.

Very good point. I really wish I would have had that opportunity in school. Notepads get old.

On a side note, a deaf girl I used to hang out with would always sit next to you with her hand on the guitar while you played. There was something oddly erotic about it. She would just sit there with her eyes closed, feeling the vibrations in the body of the guitar.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Why are you all so afraid of the future?

Stop the hate, people!

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

French and German are simply not relevant anymore.

i disagree

The school board agrees with me, and they are trained professionals

Lol, no they're not. They're just some locals with nothing better to do than run for office... O could agree that we should all learn one language if there were one that was an international language besides English, but since Esperanto isn't in vogue at the moment, uh, I'm gonna have to say give the kids a choice. Spanish is useful in some places, but French is useful in others. German is just funny. That language should be outlawed, period.

oh the germans are gonna get you!

[Fandango 1,439]

I think Spanish should be taught in elementary school