Comments on: Bilingual? I’m Tongue-Tied. http://thiseclecticlife.com/2007/03/25/bilingual-im-tongue-tied/ Sassy Texas Storyteller Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:45:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: This Eclectic Life » Thursday Thirteen #3: A Lesson in Texas Language http://thiseclecticlife.com/2007/03/25/bilingual-im-tongue-tied/comment-page-1/#comment-9861 This Eclectic Life » Thursday Thirteen #3: A Lesson in Texas Language Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:11:38 +0000 http://thiseclecticlife.com/?p=76#comment-9861 [...] of you may have seen my recent post on language, and know the fact that I sometimes lapse into my “Mother Tongue.” For me Texan is the one true [...] [...] of you may have seen my recent post on language, and know the fact that I sometimes lapse into my “Mother Tongue.” For me Texan is the one true [...]

]]> By: Admin http://thiseclecticlife.com/2007/03/25/bilingual-im-tongue-tied/comment-page-1/#comment-266 Admin Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:07:04 +0000 http://thiseclecticlife.com/?p=76#comment-266 Sink or Swim is about the only way it works, Marcia. But, I still can't help but feel sorry for the kiddos who are in the situation. I know I'd feel pretty lost, myself. Sink or Swim is about the only way it works, Marcia. But, I still can’t help but feel sorry for the kiddos who are in the situation. I know I’d feel pretty lost, myself.

]]> By: Marcia http://thiseclecticlife.com/2007/03/25/bilingual-im-tongue-tied/comment-page-1/#comment-264 Marcia Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:56:37 +0000 http://thiseclecticlife.com/?p=76#comment-264 Shelly, there are podcasts that teach languages now, I keep meaning to relearn Spanish, I only remember pieces of it because I had no one to use it with. I took just a month or so of sign language, loved it, too, but no one to practice with. I believe in one standard language, and since I have never experienced being in the situation of the kids who speak no English, I don't know the best way, but sink or swim used to work in the old days. Shelly, there are podcasts that teach languages now, I keep meaning to relearn Spanish, I only remember pieces of it because I had no one to use it with. I took just a month or so of sign language, loved it, too, but no one to practice with. I believe in one standard language, and since I have never experienced being in the situation of the kids who speak no English, I don’t know the best way, but sink or swim used to work in the old days.

]]> By: Shelly Kneupper Tucker http://thiseclecticlife.com/2007/03/25/bilingual-im-tongue-tied/comment-page-1/#comment-133 Shelly Kneupper Tucker Mon, 26 Mar 2007 19:08:00 +0000 http://thiseclecticlife.com/?p=76#comment-133 Stephanie-again, I really think the only way to learn and be proficient in a language is if you use it. That's why you only remember a little of the French you took. In the USA, the largest number of immigrants seem to be Spanish speakers. <BR/>AnnB--I agree with you that we need a universal language, but knowing a second can come in handy. It would also exercise the brain!<BR/>Teamouse, thanks for stopping by, eh. If you learn to speak a second language by using a CD, tell me which one. I have had no success with it!<BR/>Thanks all for stopping by and sharing...and for the kind comments. Stephanie-again, I really think the only way to learn and be proficient in a language is if you use it. That’s why you only remember a little of the French you took. In the USA, the largest number of immigrants seem to be Spanish speakers.
AnnB–I agree with you that we need a universal language, but knowing a second can come in handy. It would also exercise the brain!
Teamouse, thanks for stopping by, eh. If you learn to speak a second language by using a CD, tell me which one. I have had no success with it!
Thanks all for stopping by and sharing…and for the kind comments.

]]> By: TeaMouse http://thiseclecticlife.com/2007/03/25/bilingual-im-tongue-tied/comment-page-1/#comment-134 TeaMouse Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:11:00 +0000 http://thiseclecticlife.com/?p=76#comment-134 Hello to you from Canada Eh!<BR/><BR/>I live in a bilingual country - but it's pretty much a joke as the only place you'll find people speaking french fluently is in Quebec and some small 'french towns' in different provinces where there are small communities that were settled by french people.<BR/><BR/>My daughter is in grade 8 and has been taking french in school since grade 2 and she's great at it and plans to continue it throughout high school and into university. I am very happy about this as I definitley think a second language is a good asset to have. It's easy to get certain jobs if you are fluent in more than one language.<BR/><BR/>Kids do pick up language very well, here we have French Immersion schools and they take english speaking children and teach them from Kindergarten on in french only. Now the kids do pick this up very well - they are like little sponges. That being said the problem I see with that system is the kids come out of it without being very competent in their own language 'English'. I've been at functions where grade 7 kids were reading aloud in English and it's just atrocious. I'm obviously not a big fan of this type of school system.<BR/><BR/>I have always wished though, that I could have learnt a language and I'm always tempted to buy myself one of those handy cd-rom's and learn something just to do it.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure where to stand as far as immigrants coming to america/canada as my case may be and being put into a class with all English. I'm sure it must be tough - but I think the kids will adapt better than if they were coddled to in their own language. You'd be amazed at how fast kids to pick up a new language.<BR/><BR/>Good job making us think rather than just doze through the day. Hello to you from Canada Eh!

I live in a bilingual country – but it’s pretty much a joke as the only place you’ll find people speaking french fluently is in Quebec and some small ‘french towns’ in different provinces where there are small communities that were settled by french people.

My daughter is in grade 8 and has been taking french in school since grade 2 and she’s great at it and plans to continue it throughout high school and into university. I am very happy about this as I definitley think a second language is a good asset to have. It’s easy to get certain jobs if you are fluent in more than one language.

Kids do pick up language very well, here we have French Immersion schools and they take english speaking children and teach them from Kindergarten on in french only. Now the kids do pick this up very well – they are like little sponges. That being said the problem I see with that system is the kids come out of it without being very competent in their own language ‘English’. I’ve been at functions where grade 7 kids were reading aloud in English and it’s just atrocious. I’m obviously not a big fan of this type of school system.

I have always wished though, that I could have learnt a language and I’m always tempted to buy myself one of those handy cd-rom’s and learn something just to do it.

I’m not sure where to stand as far as immigrants coming to america/canada as my case may be and being put into a class with all English. I’m sure it must be tough – but I think the kids will adapt better than if they were coddled to in their own language. You’d be amazed at how fast kids to pick up a new language.

Good job making us think rather than just doze through the day.

]]> By: annb http://thiseclecticlife.com/2007/03/25/bilingual-im-tongue-tied/comment-page-1/#comment-135 annb Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:15:00 +0000 http://thiseclecticlife.com/?p=76#comment-135 I am one of those people who believe that all children in the school system should learn English. I also think that foreign language should be offered to children of all age groups. Even though America is a "melting-pot", we do need a standardized language, as far as I'm concerned. I am one of those people who believe that all children in the school system should learn English. I also think that foreign language should be offered to children of all age groups. Even though America is a “melting-pot”, we do need a standardized language, as far as I’m concerned.

]]> By: Stephanie http://thiseclecticlife.com/2007/03/25/bilingual-im-tongue-tied/comment-page-1/#comment-136 Stephanie Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:59:00 +0000 http://thiseclecticlife.com/?p=76#comment-136 Great Post!! I'm about as American as it gets!! My dad was adopted, so we really have no idea what his roots are. He never wanted to find out either. He was pretty happy with the cards he was dealt. (me too....my grandparents were the best!) My mom has a little Scottish and British in the back somewhere. Who knows??<BR/><BR/>In high school I took 4 years of French, because foreign languages looked good on transcripts. And I went to a TINY school...and French was the only think offered. I can still make out a few phrases, but that's about it. I've never been to France, and I don't see the chance that i will get to go any time in the near future. <BR/><BR/>I absolutely believe schools should make it manditory curriculum to learn a language other than English. And you are right....Spanish is probably the one. I would hope for other choices...but the schools just can't afford to have that many language teachers. Yikes, I can't believe I left this long of a comment! Thanks for the great post! Great Post!! I’m about as American as it gets!! My dad was adopted, so we really have no idea what his roots are. He never wanted to find out either. He was pretty happy with the cards he was dealt. (me too….my grandparents were the best!) My mom has a little Scottish and British in the back somewhere. Who knows??

In high school I took 4 years of French, because foreign languages looked good on transcripts. And I went to a TINY school…and French was the only think offered. I can still make out a few phrases, but that’s about it. I’ve never been to France, and I don’t see the chance that i will get to go any time in the near future.

I absolutely believe schools should make it manditory curriculum to learn a language other than English. And you are right….Spanish is probably the one. I would hope for other choices…but the schools just can’t afford to have that many language teachers. Yikes, I can’t believe I left this long of a comment! Thanks for the great post!

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