While I was in college, my favorite professor was in the process of teaching himself Korean. My first thought upon learning this was, "Why?" I mean Korean isn't exactly the easiest language to master, and you don't find many opportunities to practice it here in the States, especially not in the sprawling metropolis of Rock Thrill, SC.
My second thought upon learning his current intellectual undertaking was, "rock on!" People who aspire to better themselves, whether it be by learning correct grammar for their native language or tackling a language native to a country they may never visit, inspire me.
My nine year old has recently become obsessed with the Chinese language. In fact, I am currently surrounded by gobs of notebook paper littered with complex Asian characters crafted by the hand of my American elementary school age child. When I first learned of her interest I again thought, "why," followed closely by "I wonder if I can find her a little chinese friend in the middle of Blue Ridge."
It is a known fact that any foreign language is more easily learned at a young age. I was thirteen years old and in eighth grade the first time I was exposed to a foreign language. I took two years of German in high school and two semesters in college, and if catapulted smack dab in the center of Germany right this very second, I could successfully cuss out the natives and utter the equivalent of "I have no idea." Great, I am only bilingual in my ignorance. That's an American for you.
It may be a stretch to expect America to offer a wide variety of foreign languages in our public school systems, but with America becoming more and more of a melting pot by the millisecond, and with more and more jobs seeking bilingual applicants, I think it's time that we in the Upstate realize that the wonderful program we offer at Blythe Academy is not enough.
Shoot, I would STILL be roaming around The Vatican in Rome if it weren't for that nice, multi-lingual Italian native who directed me back to the bus.
