Reply to Why are so many families interested in Dual Language?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]While I strongly disagree with the disparagement of Spanish, I share OP's confusion as to why dual language is such an obsession in DC. Yes, there are some studies that show it can have a positive impact on brain development. There's also literature showing the educational focuses on STEM, arts/music, social emotional learning, etc. can have positive impacts on brain development. Yet I hear so many more people clamoring for dual language programs than anything else. My guess is it's a combination of limited paths through middle school from non-dual language programs, excitement over an educational trend, and maybe a little fear from affluent and/or white families about demographics in some schools.

If you look at the trajectory of language translation technology its abundantly clear that multi-lingualism is not going to be a necessary 21st century skill. So if you love languages or your family is multi-lingual, great. But I for one would much rather my kid learn to code simultaneous translation apps or follow his passion for art than spend all that mental space on immersion. [/quote]

I'm a software developer, and I gotta say -- being multilingual is a skill that's always going to be useful.  The value of being multi-lingual is not that it allows you to read street signs or menus.  The value is being able to make connections with people and fully interact with them.    Mono-lingual people arguing against being multilingual are kinda like a person with hearing impairment arguing that hearing is useless --- sure, you can get through life without it, but people who can hear know its value.

I've studied 5 languages with very different levels of mastery, and my enjoyment of travel varies in direct relation to how well I speak the language of the country where I'm traveling.  And of course, the way I'm treated varies enormously with my mastery of the language.  Not that people are rude of mean when I don't speak their language, but people are incredibly appreciative and warm when you've made the effort to learn their language and try to address them in culturally appropriate ways.

Even in DC, being able to chat in Arabic with the guy at my gym whose English is weak is nice, as is being able to fully participate in conversations with the wonderful and accomplished NGO folks socializing in Spanish at a friend's birthday party.  Hell, even just watching Netflix -- the show I'm currently watching is set in Germany, and half the dialog is in German with subtitles.  It's a different experience watching that show and understanding the German than it would be if I had no idea what the German dialog was saying and read the subtitles.

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I don’t think speaking other languages isn’t useful. I myself speak 3 and a little bit of Greek. And it’s very fun, I love going to Japan and people are surprised that I speak so well. Spanish I don’t get that surprise but it definitely makes people a little warmer since language is culture.

I agree with your statements, what is confusing to me is truly the attitudes of parents in DC about this. Which I’m starting to see why from the comments.

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