Nicaraguan Students Should Be Obliged To Study A Foreign Language

IACA

Academic Writing

Dic 2-2013

Nicaraguan students should be obliged to study a foreign language

Nowadays, globalization has been connecting the countries all over the world to improve the economy. Among those countries is Nicaragua, so the need of learning a foreign language has been increasing to improve the communication with other people who do not speak the same native language. Currently, to speak a foreign language is not just important in Nicaragua; it is essential for those who want to improve their knowledge and to improve their quality of life. Also, speaking a foreign language increases job opportunities because people perform better in their job. Moreover, learning a foreign language helps to understand the one´s own language and to know other cultures. According to Federico Fellini, who was a recognized Italian film director and scriptwriter, “A different language is a different vision of life.”(qtd. in Oak par. 2). Opponents argue that it is not necessary to learn a foreign language because it takes a lot of time; as a result, it leads bad grades. Furthermore, opponents claim that learning a foreign language is not necessary because most of the Nicaraguan speak Spanish. Even though many think that studying a foreign language should be optional for each Nicaraguan student, it is advisable that they study at least an advanced level in another language while they are in school or college.

Opponents to the decision of obliging students to study a foreign language assert that it leads bad grades in other subjects. Many people think this because maybe students do not have enough time to study other subjects. When students are obliged to study a foreign language, they lose more time; consequently, they fail their classes. However, that is not true because the best students in Nicaragua try to learn more than one language, and they continue getting good grades in all their subjects. That is proof that people who organize their time very well are able to learn a foreign language. Besides, the brains of bilingual people operate differently than single language speakers because they have a more developed mind. One clear example of how the mind of bilingual people is more developed is remembering several addresses while driving (Bhattacharjee par. 6). Furthermore, memorization and critical thinking are improved by learning a foreign language. For example, when someone speaks more than one language, he or she has to memorize the grammar rules of each language; this improves memorization. Also, it is necessary to analyze reading, to do exercises, to write essay, and to give the people’s own point of view, etc. in different languages, it improves critical thinking steadily.

Opponents also believe that many students prefer their original language because they do not have to fight to speak or to write it correctly. Currently, people do not want to make an effort to get good skills that are going to help them in the future and are going to put them on advantage compared with other people who just speak their native language. Other opponents claim that as soon as people learn a foreign language, their culture is going to be absorbed; as a result, they are not going to have an original culture. Maybe everybody prefers their original language; nevertheless, it is important to struggle to get new knowledge. It is important to know that it is always necessary to overcome difficulties if someone wants to be a contributor to society. Furthermore, it is possible to know other cultures through a foreign language. Edward Lee Gorsuch, chancellor of the University of Alaska, who was member of the Arctic Research Commission claimed, “Learning a foreign language not only reveals how other societies think and feel, what they have experienced and value, and how they express themselves, it also provides a cultural mirror in which we can more clearly see our own society.”

...