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[quote=Anonymous]Language learning is not really an either/or issue. Human brains are designed from birth to process multiple SPOKEN languages. Communicating with other people is a survival skill. Reading and writing are not innate and, if anything, a waste of brain power when it comes to memorizing arcane and arbitrary grammar rules. Especially in English.

Example: say the word "to" out loud. How many meanings could that [u]one[/u] sound have? How many spellings? Would someone else understand what you meant with that [u]one[/u] word? See, wasted brain power. If you know a second language, translate each of the meanings of the word sound "to". Bet you could spell them all correctly without Autocorrect. In Spanish, and pretty much every spoken and dead language, nobody would confuse aussi (too) for deux (two).

So, is it worth spending time to strengthen cognitive skills humans are born with? Yes, if you are talking about skills and not arbitrary standards of proficiency. Language skills are the tools to help you make yourself understood to other people. Using verbal and/or sign language is the most efficient and powerful tool our brains have. Written? Not so much. That's why an estimated 1-in-5 people struggle with reading despite having at- or above- average intelligence.

For young children this is even more important because they don't have the extensive vocabulary that comes from life experience. We learn by doing and experimenting. That's why pretty much everybody can talk before they read or crawl before they run. Singing songs, playing games, and listening to stories are language skill builders. They're not a waste of time. (Memorizing i before e except after c is a waste of time when you have spelling software.) The article described Sela as using the same tools of music, play, and verbal interaction that can help any child learn anything.

Here's another way to think about it. Language development is sort of like math. You can use formulas, codes, estimation, and visuals (fingers) to solve problems and help make yourself understood by other people. Example: had to retrofit deck stairs for grandma's wheelchair. The contractor used both visual and verbal language to estimate the size and costs. Neither of us are fluent in each others' language. But I'm glad we both studied geometry!

From what I read, it sounded like Sela is making good use of public funds by using proven tools to strengthen the most important skills humans have to survive and thrive.

As an African American, I think it's incredibly important for children of color at a young age to get a boost of self-esteem by showing off (yasss!) skills beyond what society expects of them. Will they work at a Tel Aviv tech firm one day? Who knows? That's not the point. We do know that children with strong communication and problem-solving skills can do well in life. L'chaim![/quote]

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