Foreign Language
If you had graduated from one of Charlotte Mason’s schools at the turn of the twentieth century, you would have understood and conversed readily in French and German (or Italian). In addition, Latin was also studied which provided a foundational and wide literary vocabulary used in many subject areas as well as a thorough understanding of grammatical structures for many European languages. Starting from the earliest primary grades and adding a new language every three years, children were adept at acquiring three to four languages and maintaining the ones they had already learned. If you find this astounding, over half of all secondary students in EU countries today are required to learn at least two foreign languages. English, German, French, and Spanish are the most studied languages. Proximity to other foreign countries for travel, economics, business, trade and so forth no doubt have a significant impact on government decisions around education. The UK has implemented German in some primary schools because of increased business with Germany.
However, aside from utilitarian reasons, language is about real communication and real relationships. Language incorporates a familiar culture, identity, a common understanding that cannot always be accessed by words alone. Customs, traditions, idioms, and many other inherent and unique nuances are woven into the fabric of language. To penetrate the genius of another culture one would, ideally of course, be immersed in it. Short of living in another country, we can encounter a foreign culture through its ideas and thoughts that permeate its literature (Goethe, Hugo, Dante, etc.), history, its artistic expressions, and so forth from primary sources through direct access of classic and contemporary works if we have learned the target language. This combination of culture and language constructs a “mental railway” for the intercourse of minds where we “enter into and assimilate the intelligence, and the spirit of a foreign nation” (Gouin). This is critical if we truly want to connect and successfully engage with people of a different language and culture than our own. Respect and understanding can eventually create “international forbearance” and is one of the foundations for conversation and discussion where productive solutions to global issues can ensue.
It is the duty of a nation to maintain relations of brotherly kindness with other nations. The citizens of Canada are in a unique position to engage with a substantial diversity of the population of the world. So many opportunities exist internally and even learning one foreign language secures for us potentially new bonds of relationship that cultivates an appreciation for and consideration of others. Most foreign cultures feel honoured and respected when strangers attempt to speak their native tongue. Educating a child is not simply for the child’s sake alone but so that the child can in turn better the world around him.
Expanding the boundaries of knowledge beyond our culture provides the mind with mental “food” to construct new paradigms. Adding a new language and therefore a different culture breeds an endless array of ways to feed the soul as well - which needs and appreciates beauty through its senses. Exploring this in the early years of childhood develops the soul’s “taste buds” to embrace and appreciate “beyond borders” those things - music, art, food, etc. - different from what the child is familiar with in his own culture. Understanding other languages brings great richness to our personal culture on a day-to-day basis as we integrate various aspects of it into our lives. It gives us the courage to explore new experiences now and in the future.
There is a season for everything. The theories of sound tell us that a human’s ear gets closed to certain frequencies we do not use. The younger the child, the easier it will be to pick up these sounds. Advantage should be taken of the sensitiveness of the ear, the elasticity of the muscles of the throat and tongue, and the power of mimicking correct pronunciation which become duller and stiffer if we wait until the reasoning powers are fully developed (somewhere around the junior high years).
The full gift of a liberal education includes learning foreign languages.