German or Spanish- What’s for you?
A Guide for Parents of WLEX Students
Every February, 7th graders at Park View are faced with a difficult choice for their 8th grade schedule- Should I
take German or Spanish next year? When making this decision there are a number of factors to take into
consideration.
First of all, there is no wrong decision. Taking world language shows interest in an academic elective that is
seen as being integral to one’s overall educational development. Students taking world language are
acknowledging that the world is a big place that becomes smaller when people learn more about different
cultures and can exchange ideas. For thousands of years learning a world language has been part of a balanced
education.
Here are some of the factors that may go into the decision making process:
College Requirements
Since world language is an academic elective, many colleges today require world language as a prerequisite to
enter or as a requirement for graduation. Please see our other department handout for further details.
Future Career
Many students and parents make the decision of which language to take on the basis that it will help them in
their future careers; a logical decision. However, taking three years of math doesn’t make one a mathematician,
just as taking 3 years of language doesn’t make one a linguist capable of using the language professionally at
the workplace. If you plan on using world language in your future career you should plan now on taking the
language in eighth grade and then sticking with the language throughout high school and into college.
Yet, only about 12–15% of seniors at MHS are enrolled in world language, with about half of students having
left the program after 3 years. Based on this fact we can come to several conclusions:
• If you continue through your senior year, you will stand out from the crowd on applications.
• Using the language in your profession may not be what one should weigh to the greatest extent.
Did you know…
We hear Spanish often in our daily lives, but Germany is the world’s 2nd leading exporting country (behind China)
and German is the 2nd most commonly published language in books and on the internet (behind English).
Heritage Language
Many families feel a strong connection to the language of their forbearers and choose to study a language in
hopes of deciphering old family letters, birth certificates, or for doing future family research. Many want to
communicate with a grandparent in Spanish or German and keep that aspect of their heritage alive in the family.
Cultural Connections
Many students feel drawn to the music and rhythms of contemporary Latin music and to the warm climates of
central and South America. Others feel a strong cultural connection to German classical composers, scientists,
and philosophers. Both of these lead to the final, but maybe most important criteria.
Motivation
What language do students really enjoy learning? If the goal is to become as proficient as possible in the
language, students should take a language that they are going to stick with over time. Students are also more
likely to get better grades in a subject they feel passionate about.
Good luck and have fun learning a language!
Ich liebe Deutsch!
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¡ME ENCANTA EL ESPAÑOL
ESPAÑOL!
OL!
Why Take World
World Language?
Language?
Here are some more great reasons!
•
Analytical skills improve when students study a world language.
•
Business skills plus world language means increased employment opportunities.
•
People gain a more profound understanding of their own culture.
•
Creativity is increased.
•
International travel is made easier and more pleasant.
•
Skills like problem solving and dealing with abstract concepts are increased.
•
World language study enhances one's employment opportunities.
•
A second language improves your skills and grades in math, English, SAT and GRE.
•
4 out of 5 new jobs in the US are created as a result of world language trade.
•
World language study creates more positive attitudes toward people who are different.
•
It enhances listening skills and memory.
•
One participates more effectively and responsibly in a multi-cultural world.
•
You are better prepared for an increasingly global economy.
•
World language study offers a sense of the past: culturally and linguistically.
•
The study of world languages teaches and encourages respect for other peoples.
•
It expands one's view of the world.
•
It limits the barriers between people.
•
World languages open the door to art, music, dance, film, fashion, cuisine, science...
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