Why learn a Foreign Language?
As a foreign language professor, my goal is not limited to just successfully getting you through a Spanish 1 or French 1 as a degree and/or a transfer required course. I hope that you will also see the many benefits of learning a new language both while in my class and beyond.
Learning a second language will enhance your knowledge and mastery of your own language. You will see connections between English and French, and between English and Spanish. Your vocabulary in English will increase as well your understanding of grammatical concepts.
Research has proved –and continues to do so- that learning a foreign language enhances Math skills. Please feel free to inquire about the research in which Mr. Ries (Norco / Math) and I are currently involved: Math as a Foreign Language.
Mastering more than one language will make you more competitive in today’s work market and may place you on a higher salary scale. If you plan to become a teacher, it will make you more attractive to you employers and will allow you to communicate with your students’ parents.
More importantly, knowing more than one language will make you a more complete human being. As language is a tool to ‘take in’ reality and express the many facets of life and human experience, you will become able to look at the world in a richer manner. You will accept nuances and develop a sense of curiosity, respect and compassion for other cultures. Your world will become greater and so will your self confidence and independence. Being able to describe, communicate and listen in more than one language is the most important tool in today’s global culture.
I thank you for being my students.
