When I was first looking for colleges, I was dead-set against a school with a "core curriculum" or gen-eds that had to be fulfilled. To me, it was irrelevant to take history or biology classes if I was going to be a Spanish major. And I saw no reason that the History or Bio majors should have to take a language. Why waste time taking classes and learning things you'll never use, and maybe hurting your GPA in the process, just to fulfill some requirement that somebody else made up?
I think this is a key point in establishing this sort of requirement, that everyone at a University level take language classes. By the time students reach their college career, they are starting to become specialized in their respective fields. Not to mention, they might even be past the critical age for language learning (Critical Period Hypothesis). This could make them reluctant to learn and give them difficulties throughout the class. That doesn't encourage learning. What I would suggest is that language classes be required of the undeclared majors (maybe it will turn out to be something they like) and strongly encouraged for the rest. If they really, truly don't want to be there, they won't be, but if they're willing to try a new language at 22, that open-mindedness could make all the difference.
I like the idea of requiring those who don't know what they want to specialize in to take a foreign language course and I would even add that those in political, business and communication fields should be required to take a semester or two of a foreign language. I've been in classes with students who have no interest in learning a foreign language and it really makes it more difficult for them and can even bring down the class as a whole. Perhaps advisers could suggest to their students ways to work a foreign language into their studies or even try to make study abroad easily accessible to more majors. There are a multitude of ways students can be encouraged to take foreign language classes without requiring it of them if they really have no interest.
ReplyDeleteI disagree actually, I believe that although gen-eds seem to be very inconvenient and a waste of time they are important. Many college students change their major after taking classes that are related to their field because it wasn't what they thought it would be. Taking gen-eds expose students to areas of study that are often so different from their field. Taking classes that are outside of your comfort zone not only further educates you, it could also spark an unknown interest. A compromise for students who don't want to take a foreign language class could be to take a class specifically about a foreign culture. Learning about culture isn't as demanding as learning a language - and also opens students to a life outside of their own.
ReplyDeleteI really like your suggestion Melissa. If a student is not open to a language class, then maybe taking a culture class will serve their needs better. However, I think that any student could benefit from language classes, though the student's enthusiasm makes a big difference on what he/she gets out of the class. Also, as you mentioned they may want to switch majors or study abroad, and then those language classes would prove useful. Requiring students to take a broad set of "basic" classes, such as fulfilling the discovery program or gen eds, is a good way for students to be sure of what they want to do after college and makes them well-rounded individuals who are better prepared for today's demanding world.
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