Should All Students Be Required to Learn a Language? By Irene Kim

Language Learning by creator

     I was pretty uncertain about my position in the argument when I first read this question and even after I finished reading the following article. Of course, being bilingual has its obvious benefits: convenience and an increase in opportunities, such as easier travel and academic opportunities (e.g. higher chance of college acceptance) (deJong). However, I don't think that all people are the strongest in learning languages. So ultimately, my main question for myself to take a position was "Is it worth all of the time and effort?" because learning a language is a long-term project.

     My approach to my question started with comparing the subject with other academic subjects. Math, for example, is a subject a lot of students have trouble with, yet is still required. This is the same with all other basic classes. However, (thankfully) most of these classes are not required throughout the entire 12 years of school in Illinois. At high school, there are a certain number of required credits for each of these subjects, and it is left up to the student to choose what they want to pursue during the last few years of high school (ISBE).

     I think that this way of exposing students to the basics and then leaving it up to them to choose whether or not to continue is the best solution. No one knows if they have a passion or talent in a subject if they never even learn the basics. Just like other basic subjects, language can lead you to pursue a variety of careers. These careers include those only about foreign language (e.g. translator) but also those that can have a huge advantage with the skill (e.g. flight attendant) (UOTP). Ultimately, learning a new language will lead to unexpected open doors.

     I believe that students should be required to learn a language for a certain number of years and then have it left for them to choose. I think everyone should be exposed to the subject of learning a language during their years before high school graduation so that they have another option they can choose to pursue afterwards. The time and effort that goes into learning a language is worth the advantages and, even for students that end up realizing that it is simply not their thing, having any confident opinion based on experience is important when choosing what to pursue, whether that's positive or negative.

Works Cited

creator. Language Learning. FreeImagesLive, www.freeimageslive.co.uk/free_stock_image/languagejpg.

deJong, Kathy. "How More World Language Courses in High School Pays Off." College in 3-2-1, 2021, collegein321.com/more-foreign-language-courses/#:~:text=However%2C%20most%20colleges%20require%20a,makes%20a%20student%20more%20attractive. 

ISBE. Illinois graduation requirements. 2022, www.isbe.net/Documents/grad_require.pdf.

UOTP. "9 Benefits of Learning a Second Language." UOTP, 2021, potomac.edu/benefits-of-learning-a-second-language/.