Language-learning in schools

[Scylax]

Is there any educationally sound reason why languages are taught in secondary schools ?
Noam Chomsky pointed out that the LAD (Language Acquisition Device) is innate in all children, but fades to oblivion around the age of 11 years. Prior to this, and the younger the better, languages are absorbed with no effort.
For the majority of children aged 11+, starting a new language is too damn late. Nicht wahr ?

[lafrancaise]

No, I don't agree there. I was taught french and german at secondary school: french was mostly written and german in a language lab only orally. I could get by in german but was absolutely hopeless in french. Then as an adult, I came to live in France and picked it up quite quickly. I'd say it's never too late to learn the only thing is; don't translate as you're talking. This is where kids learn more quickly as they don't translate they just pick up the sentences.

[sophieb]

At my kids' school they get basic french from primary 4. My daughter is in p7 now and speaks it quite well. When she goes to high school they continue french in 1st and 2nd year, then get the option of picking up german or spanish in 3rd year. in 5th year they even get the chance to do Mandarin Chinese! i did german at school and have since learnt to speak Italian & Spanish(at 33!). I think some people are more adept at languages than others. I am hopeless at maths and most things technical.

[bertiebear]

I agree Syclax; definitely the younger the better! I teach French to children from 4 to 7 years old. They love it and speak to me in French whenever they meet me in the school corridor or even the supermarket. One of my little 5 year olds has just come back from Disneyland Paris and has been telling everyone that he spoke to Mickey Mouse in French and that Mickey Mouse spoke to him in French. How many 11+ children would have the confidence to do that after only a short while learning a new skill?
You are also correct Lafrancaise, I lived in Germany for a while and have to admit I did learn more conversational German there than I did at school.
I think what you say sophieb is also correct, some people do have a natural aptitude for learning languages.
So all in all I am all for people learning languages at any stage in their lives. : - )

[Scylax]

You bet.....learning anything at any age is beneficial, but I make the plea for language acquisition while the L.A.D. is operating, from birth (literally) to age 11 years. There is a bonus - seemingly the L.A.D. has no limits. Children reared in polyglot societies acquire all the languages to which they have been exposed, and speak them fluently.
In Israeli kibbutz, kids reared by a multiplicity of surrogate mothers, of many nationalities, were found to be fluent in 7+
languages.
In bilingual households, Welsh / English perhaps, the children simply absorb both with no effort. Lucky, lucky children ; they can think in ways denied to others, since as Wittgenstein said : 'My language defines my world '

[aristotle]

Scylax you are totally right.. I used to teach modern languages and there is no doubt at all that the earlier you start the easier and better you learn. Of course, it is possible to pick up languages later in life if you need to but it so much easier to do it the natural way in play as a young child before the brain is set in its ways.

[teddybon]

Learning a new language is being promoted as a defence against senility...always worth a try