Reply to Jealous of a friends’ kids’ extracurricular

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Our kids are bilingual and take our home in high school at one level higher than most peers and are doing well. Our friends, also with bilingual kids, enrolled their children in a Saturday language school, where the kids get what is essentially a second high school diploma from the home country. This has allowed their children to take a different language in school, meaning their kids are trilingual and they have a truly impressive extracurricular that shows commitment (the language school is intense) and has shaped their children’s entire narrative (the kid volunteered for a summer in the home country, has an internship next summer with an developing markets investment firm focusing on a part of the world using our language, etc.

I’m just kicking myself because if I had thought through this 10 years ago, I feel my child would be in a much better position college application wise. These friends had asked if we would be interested in doing the Saturday school with them, but it conflicted with sports and travel and our kid plays hs soccer but certainly isn’t going to get recruited.

Just a vent, but feeling like my past self let my high schooler down. [/quote]

I think it is a good cautionary tale.  Immigrants should make a serious attempt to make sure that their kids do not lose their native language. Mastery in the native language will open opportunities for them for rest of their lives.

When non-English speakers become American citizens, they should strive for double benefit of getting the best of the American experience and getting the best of their country of origin experience.  That way they are in a position to give to themselves and also this country.  Don't lose your natural heritage. [/quote]

It doesn’t matter as much as you think it does.  You kid is likely to rarely us it. [/quote]

I completely disagree. Being fluent in other languages means that a whole new world of job opportunities, culture, art, literature, theatre, cinema opens up for you.

Its like saying that sports or music lessons are a waste because you will rarely use it.  LOL.
[/quote]

Historically maybe. But today in 2025? Not a chance.  Have you travelled abroad in the past 20 years? I’ve lived in 3 countries and visited &gt;100 - most places I go speak English. Maybe some small villages in South America you will need Spanish - same with small town Germany (less so, and mostly amongst the elderly).  Most European, African, and many Asian countries speak English. India, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, etc. the business language is mostly English. I’ve never had a problem in shops or at restaurants.  In Africa, there are still some places where French is the business language and these places can be a bit more difficult - but I seriously doubt you are traveling there to explore museums and culture. I travelled there for work.[/quote]

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