On foreign language learning.

Michael Hofmann in his latest article for “The Observer” raised quite an interesting issue of language learning. He describes the situation in the UK where 14-year-olds can decide whether they want to take modern language classes and later presents the results – a dramatic decrease in foreign language competence among the British teenagers.

To tell the truth, what is amazing is not students’ choice, but the government’s decision to give them an option to quit modern language classes. As young people are usually not keen on studying at all, no wonder they don’t crave for memorizing new grammar rules, practicing pronunciation or translating boring sentences, as they see language learning. They are not mature enough to realize that a foreign language is of great benefit for them as it enables them to communicate with foreigners, facilitates discovering different cultures and finally, it opens doors in their future careers. Therefore, this is where the British government has made a mistake. They have given the youngsters a free hand, at the same time theoretically depriving them of the fantastic experience which surely foreign language learning is.

I, personally, cannot imagine myself knowing only Polish language. Although I have taken many language classes in my life: English, German, Spanish and French, only the first of them was the one that I fell in love with. :-) Certainly, I  have always had an aptitude for English, but also I had a good motivation from my parents and teachers, which pushed me going. And now, on the finish of my English Philology studies, what I can say about all the effort I have put into developing my language skills: it was worth it!