One language isn’t enough, is it?

Learning a second language is an important step in a person’s personal development, which is why I think it’s so crucial for pupils to get the opportunity to do that at an early age at school. Reading that second languages play only a minor role in schools in New Zealand, because many people had a bad experience in second language learning, as stated on http://www.nzherald.co.nz/news/print.cfm?objectid=11370384, I was quite surprised. Still, it’s an integral part of their curriculum, according to https://www.ags.school.nz/at-grammar/academic/academic-curriculum/.

So why are second languages so important? First off, the second language, which you learn, instead of acquiring it like your mother tongue, broadens your horizon — linguistically and culturally: linguistically, because you learn new sounds and structures, and thus become more aware of how your mother tongue works; culturally, because you also learn about the country’s culture and their concept of politeness for example, which is especially useful in places where people of different cultures live closely together and need to be able to get along with each other.

Secondly, you open barriers between you and people from other countries by showing you’re willing to get to know them and their culture, and to communicate with them. Furthermore, it shows your respect for them. From the start, you convey a positive atmosphere, which can encourage them to approach you openly too.

Speaking a language is always about identity. So starting to learn a new language, you will first have to get used to forming the new words and listen to yourself pronounce them, but eventually, using it daily in every day situations, it will become second nature and part of your identity. Some people may even find they like it better to express themselves in the new language than in their mother tongue, and even enjoy using it.

The earlier pupils start leaning the new language, the easier it will be for them to overcome the sometimes awkward process of getting used to it, and to reach a near-native command of the language.

I can understand the New Zealander’s reluctance to learning new languages due to a bad experience. New methods in the didactics of second language learning, however, may encourage them to give languages a second chance given all the advantages they provide us — especially as people in multi-national societies.