Learning a Second Language - Essay Example

Rosa comes from Chile and is an elementary at one of the local schools in America. She has introduced herself to her using her native language because she does not know any other language. Rosa is just one of the many children who are still trying to learn a second language. Recently, governments have started aggressively incorporating bilingual education in their country’s school system, hoping that this will help the younger generation become more skilled and, eventually, have a more promising career.

It used to be that an individual studied another language because it was a school requirement or an interest. As technology has brought each country closer in the virtual sense, learning another dialect has evolved into an avenue non-native speakers take to improve their communication skills. Research has shown that many companies prefer hiring applicants who can speak in languages often encountered in their respective industries. As a result, non-native speakers as young as elementary students have been spending thousands of money to immerse themselves in language learning activities to enable them to enter top schools and eventually, gain worthwhile employment.

Conversely, the drive for bilingual education has also met opposition from some groups. Some believe that in attempting to teach two languages simultaneously, the learner will only improve at a slower pace and might encounter confusion. (Duignan) On the other hand, other groups think that introducing a new language may make the learner forget his native dialect and the culture that comes with it. Ultimately, learning another language will always be beneficial to the learner, especially when started at a young age, because it enhances the learner as a person.

Despite the drawbacks other people suppose bilingual education brings, this way of learning appears to be necessary to advance in today’s modern world.