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Folsom Hills Vs Blanche


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#16 (The Dude)

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 09:14 AM

Good God you people love to piss and moan. Whatever crazy objection you have to learning a second language, it is unquestionably advantageous to have that skillset.


What's odd is nobody can answer yet why it's important - that's all I asked, so tell me what's so advantageous in the real working world to know a second language? How does it help with any job other then farming, bi-lingual translator or running a restaurant (with an Hispanic staff)? It was a serious question, it's not my fault it turned into a "you don't like Hispanic people because you asked why its important to learn Spanish". Christ people, just answer the question instead of turning it into a pissing match.

#17 Chad Vander Veen

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 09:16 AM

What's odd is nobody can answer yet why it's important - that's all I asked, so tell me what's so advantageous in the real working world to know a second language? How does it help with any job other then farming, bi-lingual translator or running a restaurant (with an Hispanic staff)? It was a serious question, it's not my fault it turned into a "you don't like Hispanic people because you asked why its important to learn Spanish". Christ people, just answer the question instead of turning it into a pissing match.


We usually see things nearly eye-to-eye but to ask for reasons why it's good to know a second langauge is just you being intentionally obtuse.

#18 (The Dude)

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 10:50 AM

We usually see things nearly eye-to-eye but to ask for reasons why it's good to know a second langauge is just you being intentionally obtuse.


No need to insult me if you cannot answer the question. It's nice to say "it's good to know a second language" - but for practical purposes such as jobs/careers, how is it good? That's all I've been asking, but instead of an answer I just get insults and accusations.

#19 ducky

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 11:16 AM

No need to insult me if you cannot answer the question. It's nice to say "it's good to know a second language" - but for practical purposes such as jobs/careers, how is it good? That's all I've been asking, but instead of an answer I just get insults and accusations.


If you aren't looking to be in a career where being bilingual will get you a job, or, if you don't plan to travel and want to make an effort to speak with locals, then learning a second language as an adult might not be worth your time. It's all in what interests you.

As a young student, the ones that have learned a second language tend to get higher test scores in verbal, nonverbal, and math tests such as the SAT, ACT.

Back to topic, I think the program at Folsom Hills is great, the teachers are great, but it's unrealistic to think you are going to send your child to the Spanish Magnet (FLES) program and have them fluently speaking Spanish at the end of elementary. Remember, these teachers have just as much time in the day to accomplish all the other education requirements as the classes that aren't FLES. They will learn about countries and cultures where Spanish is spoken, which is a plus, and I think younger children can perfect the accent much easier than an adult can, another plus. As Nomad points out, YMMV. IMHO, to get the most out of the program, as a parent, you will need to be prepared to work hard at home with your child, which will be hard if you barely remember your own high school Spanish.

I wasn't aware that the middle school Spanish would translate into high school credit (from puppylover's post), but I don't think you need to go through FLES to take Spanish at SMS. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken.

Hope this helps.

#20 (The Dude)

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 12:05 PM

As a young student, the ones that have learned a second language tend to get higher test scores in verbal, nonverbal, and math tests such as the SAT, ACT.


Now that's an interesting fact, I was not aware of these test results. This is the data I was looking for and the only reason I asked the question. Thanks for taking the time to post an answer instead of accusing me of being anti-Hispanic and obtuse.

#21 ducky

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 12:13 PM

Now that's an interesting fact, I was not aware of these test results. This is the data I was looking for and the only reason I asked the question. Thanks for taking the time to post an answer instead of accusing me of being anti-Hispanic and obtuse.


De nada :)

#22 Steve Heard

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 01:44 PM

No need to insult me if you cannot answer the question. It's nice to say "it's good to know a second language" - but for practical purposes such as jobs/careers, how is it good? That's all I've been asking, but instead of an answer I just get insults and accusations.


I thought I had answered the question, but I'll try it this way:

I have friends and family in education and sat on the board of directors for an educational foundation. That question comes up frequently with educators. 'Why is this subject important'?

It is not uncommon for a parent to complain that their kid isn't going to the Olympics, so running the mile isn't important and the kid shouldn't get a bad grade.

I've heard them ask, 'when will my kid ever use Algebra?'

Or, 'we need to focus on the three r's, not Spanish (or music, or sports, or algebra, or art, or photography, or wood shop, etc).

As a society we have deemed it better if students are exposed to a wide variety of subjects.

Some will make them money, some will make them more fun to hang around with.

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#23 Logan

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 05:15 PM

Good God you people love to piss and moan. Whatever crazy objection you have to learning a second language, it is unquestionably advantageous to have that skillset.

I have no objection to people who want to learn a second or third or more language. I do object to it being a mandatory requirement. It should only be an elective course IMO. I could it see being a mandatory course for someone persuing a linguistics degree in college.

#24 MikeinFolsom

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 08:21 PM

Latin would be great. Many of our words come from the now defunct Latin language. It might help with SATs or something of that realm.

#25 asbestoshills

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 09:03 PM

First, half the world speaks Spanish. Not to burst your stereo-types, but there are CEOs that are citizens, speak Spanish and reside right here in the USA. [ mod edit]. Hispanics own businesses and {mod edit]. [mod edit] In the real world, Hispanics are opening more businesses everyday and creating wealth and guess what, many speak Spanish and English-shocker?!?!
Americans, don't just come in one color or race.

#26 chris v

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 09:11 PM

First, half the world speaks Spanish.


Actually that's 100% false. Not even close. First line in a statement and its completely wrong, I won't even bother to read the rest.

#27 cw68

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Posted 19 February 2013 - 10:06 PM

Components of education can't be merited solely upon salary or ability to get a job. A job and its value isn't the money it brings in. A well rounded country, community, and civilization needs peoples who have skills of all sorts - those who can make things, get things made, those who perform duties, think strategically, think outside of the box, anticipate problems, follow structure, know protocol, anticipate obstacles, and who can roll with the punches. For the poster who wanted "proof," foreign language skills contribute to all of these things regardless of SAT scores (which really mean squat in terms of life and community success). Teaching to the test is a downfall of our mindset. Life needs those who test well, those who follow, and those who forge new paths based upon passions - research, technology, arts, etc. - this includes many failures along the road. These things that aren't measured by dollars brought into a household that define success by 2.5 kids, a dog, and a tract home. We need to celebrate the struggling artists and engineers who scrape by as they are developing the NEXT BIG THING.

#28 ducky

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Posted 20 February 2013 - 06:33 AM

It's true SAT scores aren't the end-all be-all determination of success in life, but the role learning a second language seems to play in the higher scores, including math, is that those students are better problem solvers. That was the point. I don't think it matters which language you choose to learn.

When I was in middle school - back then we called it junior high - they had a class that was kind of a language sampler where they taught basic Spanish for the first part of the semester, French for the next part, and then German for the next part. It helped students decide what they wanted to take when they continued on to high school.

#29 Logan

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Posted 20 February 2013 - 05:03 PM

I voluntarily took some spanish in junior high and then again in high school and I can tell you my poor grades in spanish have nothing to do with my ability to comprehend mathematics. I've always got A's in math, all the way through 3 semesters of calculus. Linking foreign language scores as cause and effect on math skills I am highly doubtful of.

#30 ducky

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Posted 20 February 2013 - 06:20 PM

I voluntarily took some spanish in junior high and then again in high school and I can tell you my poor grades in spanish have nothing to do with my ability to comprehend mathematics. I've always got A's in math, all the way through 3 semesters of calculus. Linking foreign language scores as cause and effect on math skills I am highly doubtful of.


I understand that doubt. I don't entirely trust studies either. Just out of curiosity, did you also take advantage of any music classes? I did both the foreign language and played violin and piano and was a straight A student. I never excelled in either foreign language or music, but I've never been sorry I took those classes.

If a program is available why not take advantage of it if it will help your child to be well-rounded.




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