Letters to the editor: Learning multiple languages a way for American kids to get ahead
American students should learn several languages
To the editor:
Tamela Baker's column on education (Sept. 3 "As we embark on a new school year, should we revisit what education is really for?") was an interesting observation. I would offer one further observation from a person who traveled in Europe and the Scandinavian countries on business and for pleasure (and) also spent 30 years teaching at a community college and at the United States Naval Academy: It is very easy for an American to travel all over Europe.
The reason is that English is spoken everywhere, but why? The reason is that all students all over the continent learn three languages while in school. They learn their native one, whatever that might be, English, and then a third, usually German or French. It is not uncommon to encounter someone from a small country in Europe who is quite proficient in four or even five languages.
Because of our position in the world, we have neglected to learn about the cultures and the languages of other countries. I think it is a deficiency in our education at the K-12 level. I suggest students here should probably learn at least two languages, probably English and Spanish, and maybe three including French or German.
Len Lindenmeyer, Waynesboro, Pa.
Washington County Public Schools should emulate Worcester, Calvert, Howard and Carroll counties
To the editor:
The 2023 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science assessment results were released on Aug. 22. The assessments included the following: English Language arts results; mathematics results; and science results for grades 5 and 8.
Washington County students ranked 11th in the state in ELA in grades 3-8 (Worcester County students ranked first). Washington County students ranked sixth in the state in English 10 (Calvert County students ranked first). Washington County students ranked 12th in the state in mathematics in grades 3-8 (Worcester County students ranked first). Washington County students ranked sixth in the state in algebra 1 (Howard County students ranked first). Washington County students ranked sixth in the state in science in grade 5 (Carroll County students ranked first). Washington County students ranked 14th in the state in science in grade 8 (Howard County students ranked first).
Parents of students in Washington County's elementary and middle schools should become more involved in their children's education, and Washington County Public Schools' administrators should discover what policies, procedures and programs are in place in Worcester, Calvert, Howard and Carroll counties that resulted in their much higher rankings in these assessment tests.
Daniel Moeller, Rohrersville
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This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: European students learn 3-5 languages; America should do the same
