ChezDaJez
Posts: 3436
Joined: 11/12/2004 From: Chehalis, WA Status: offline
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quote:
At least here in America, we don't get the chance to learn another language until high school (14-18 years old) at the very earliest. Even then, it is highly unlikely that the instructor is a native speaker. The earlier one starts, the easier it is. A second language isn't even a graduation requirement in a lot of high schools anymore. When I graduated (way back when) 2 years of a foreign language was required. My Spnish teacher was a 25 year old female who learned Spanish in school. My German teacher was cool though. He was a ground mechanic in the Luftwaffe during the war. He was captured in northern France by the Brits just before Market Garden when his airfield was overrun. He had some very interesting stories to tell! Most high schools at least offer Spanish as a choice but German is becoming increasingly to find. French has all but disappeared from most of the smaller schools. Forget any of the Asian languages. I don't know of a single high school around here that offers them. In fact, the local college here only offers Spanish and German. I think you have to pretty much get to the university level before having any significant language choices. Chez
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Ret Navy AWCS (1972-1998) VP-5, Jacksonville, Fl 1973-78 ASW Ops Center, Rota, Spain 1978-81 VP-40, Mt View, Ca 1981-87 Patrol Wing 10, Mt View, CA 1987-90 ASW Ops Center, Adak, Ak 1990-92 NRD Seattle 1992-96 VP-46, Whidbey Isl, Wa 1996-98
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