Learning Other Worlds: Foreign Languages
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Main Notes
- Goals for rhetoric-stage foreign-language study: fulfill college-prep requirements and achieve mastery in one language, with basic study of another
- Standard requirement: Two consecutive years of a foreign language during high school (grades 9-12)
- Ideal classical education: Mastery of one foreign language (four years) and beginning study of another (two years)
- One language should be ancient Greek or Latin, the other a modern spoken language
- Language study expands grasp of language and raises questions about the relationship between language and thought
- Reading in a foreign language forces looking at thoughts from two perspectives: original language and English translation
- STEM students may focus on one foreign language due to time constraints, with mathematics considered as another 'language'
- Recommended languages: Latin (continued from earlier study), Greek, or a modern language like Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, or Hebrew
- Ancient and modern language study options and progressions outlined
- Suggested schedules: 3 to 6 hours per week for language study
- Importance of reading foreign literature with knowledgeable teachers
- Options for advanced study include tutors, community college courses, or online courses
Cue Column
- Why study two foreign languages in high school?
- How does foreign language study benefit rhetoric-stage skills?
- What are the minimum and ideal language study requirements?
- How does mathematics relate to language study for STEM students?
- Which languages are recommended for study and why?
- How should students progress in their language studies from middle school to high school?
- What options exist for advanced language study beyond basic courses?
- How does foreign language study impact college admissions?
- What is the significance of studying both an ancient and a modern language?
- How can students demonstrate their language proficiency for college applications?
- What are the benefits of reading literature in a foreign language?
- How does the study of foreign languages relate to clear thinking and expression?
- What role does cultural understanding play in language study?
- How can homeschoolers access resources for advanced language study?
- What is the recommended time commitment for effective language study?
Summary
This chapter emphasizes the importance of foreign language study in classical education, particularly during the rhetoric stage. It outlines both minimum requirements for college preparation and ideal goals for a classically educated student. The standard requirement is two consecutive years of a foreign language during high school, while the ideal is mastery of one language (equivalent to four years of study) and beginning study of another (two years).
The text argues that studying two foreign languages, preferably one ancient (Latin or Greek) and one modern, expands a student's grasp of language and thought. This process enhances clear thinking and expression in both the foreign language and English. For STEM students, advanced mathematics can be considered a form of language study alongside at least one foreign language.
The chapter provides recommendations for language choices, study progression, and resources. It emphasizes the importance of reading foreign literature and suggests options for advanced study, including tutors, community college courses, and online programs. The author also addresses practical concerns such as time commitment (3-6 hours per week) and how to represent language study on high school transcripts.
Overall, the chapter presents foreign language study as a crucial component of classical education, contributing to a student's ability to think clearly, express ideas effectively, and gain a broader understanding of different cultures and modes of expression.
Action Items
- Complete at least two consecutive years of a foreign language during grades 9-12
- Aim for basic conversational fluency and ability to read popular-level foreign-language literature
- Master one foreign language (equivalent of four years of study)
- Begin study of a second foreign language (two years at high-school level)
- Ensure one language is ancient Greek or Latin, while the other is a modern spoken language
- Complete the equivalent of Latin IV during high-school years
- If Latin is disliked, complete at least Latin II before switching to a modern language
- Consider Spanish as the primary recommendation
- Other options include French, Italian, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, or Hebrew
- For students with exceptional linguistic ability, consider more remote languages like Arabic or Korean
- Basic goal: Two years of study in one language
- Advanced goal: Two years of study in one language and four years in another (ideally one modern, one ancient)
- Plan for at least 4-5 hours per week for each language studied
- List course names as '[Language] I', '[Language] II', etc.
- Categorize under 'Foreign language' and assign 1 credit per year
- Explore tutoring options for advanced modern language study
- Look into concurrent enrollment at local colleges for higher-level language courses
- Consider taking standardized tests (AP, SAT II, or CLEP) to demonstrate advanced knowledge