I recently saw a “friend” of mine (in the Facebook sense..there really should be a better word) join a group called “Why do WE have to learn spanish cause MEXICANS are in AMERICA ?!?!”. I pointed out that this was one of the most ridiculous things I had heard in a long time, not only because of the obvious neo-conservative, xenophobic undertones, and not only because of the complete lack of causal link between the foreign language requirement in schools and immegration, but also because in my experience learning a foreign language is an enriching and valuable experience.
I realized though, that saying that didn’t prove anything, so I searched a bit and found this link that not only extolls the benefits of learning a second language, but goes so far as to cite the research that was the basis for the findings. Very well put together, and very informative. It makes me want to actually pick up some tapes and learn Spanish.
