An experimental language program was launched back in the “ol’ days” when I was in elementary school (in LI,NY ). Students were offered the opportunity to learn French starting in third grade. Any student who participated in the entire program which lasted through junior high school would be admitted to an advanced sophomore French class upon entering high school. The thinking behind the program was children would be more receptive to a foreign language during their most formative years . Why French? Because at the time those who knew best believed that after English, French was the next universal language. However, by the time I actually attended high school Spanish replaced French as the “must know” language. (numero uno por español, por favor.)
Apparently that has changed at least one NYC school according to advocates Nicky Kram Rosen, school principal, and Angela Jackson, CEO of the Global Language Project.
Global Appeal: Principal Kram Rosen (left) hopes the Arabic taught by Mohamed Mamdouh (right) earns worldwide prestige for PS 368. NY Post, May 24, 2012
“One reason Principal Nicky Kram Rosen selected Arabic — as opposed to more common offerings, such as Spanish or French — is because it will help the school obtain a prestigious International Baccalaureate standing.” Arabic mandatory at city public school
“Arabic has been identified as a critical-need language,” she said, citing students’ future “career trajectories.’’ Angela Jackson, CEO of the Global Language Project (program backer) Arabic mandatory at city public school
Requiring students to study a second language, especially Arabic is a great idea – especially if the students also learn the correct and accurate translations of the words they learn – like jihad, madrasse/madrassa, dawa, dhimmi, taqiyya, abrogation and Islam – to name a few. But in a society that is purging its law enforcement and military training manuals I highly doubt such accurate information will be taught our children.
The other and perhaps greater concern to me, is the globalization of our youth. Our children are losing their identity with our nation and its heritage. One is left with the question, in a global society whose culture will reign supreme? We know what the Islamist would say – Islam means submission and therefore, Islam will dominate all other cultures.
Therefore, aren’t we playing with fire?
Oh, and on a secondary note, the experimental language program I participated in as a child was dropped because it failed to produce the desired results. (I took French 2 – three times to fill in all the missing information et je n’ai toujours pas parler français)
