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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 8/7/2012 1:22 PM, Sue Hovey wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:79716887-F514-473A-B51A-B106AB4A3160@moscow.com"
type="cite">
<div><span class="Apple-style-span"
style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26,
0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227,
0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180,
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<blockquote type="cite">
<div>This reads as a traditional Idaho post-boomer education
mismanagement and deconstruction article. The political
perspectives of frightened feral rural rodents digging
deeper their noxious nests to avoid actual cultural
contacts with wiser sapient societies boggles belief, but
bears notice, nay, demands deterrence.<br>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div><span class="Apple-style-span"
style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26,
0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192,
227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77,
128, 180, 0.230469); "><br>
</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"
style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26,
0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227,
0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180,
0.230469); "> And from the above article of alliterative
argument may one assume you intend to be a part of the
statewide clamor from those who demand deterrence? </span></div>
<div><span class="Apple-style-span"
style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26,
0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227,
0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180,
0.230469); "><br>
</span></div>
<div><span class="Apple-style-span"
style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26,
0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227,
0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180,
0.230469); ">In reference to the video, obviously they aren't
graduates of Idaho institutions, so I read your final comment
as a disparagement of Idaho students, and they do get plenty
of that in spite of their successes in a state where
policymakers do their damnedest to shortchange them. An
example: I had lunch the other day with a former student who
could have been completely at ease in that polyglot
conversation. He was on his way to a position in a Francophone
institution in Montreal,where he will be teaching European
history...in French, of course, but he could do it in German
or even English if need be. </span></div>
<div><span class="Apple-style-span"
style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26,
0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227,
0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180,
0.230469); "><br>
</span></div>
<div><span class="Apple-style-span"
style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26,
0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227,
0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180,
0.230469); ">And now I'll join you in that demand. Frightened
rodents take a lot of persuading.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<br>
Yes, I am in favor of better public education policies, resources,
and management to achieve more desirable outcomes, especially for
secondary and adult basic education students. When power is devolved
upon individuals more adept at dismantling than at reconstructing
the situation becomes at least as political as educational.<br>
<br>
I neither had nor have any intention to disparage any Idaho student,
but merely to note that it is not possible to learn all of those
languages at Idaho schools. English, Spanish, French, and German
usually are available at the universities; Italian, Swedish,
Norwegian have not been available for some time, if ever. Idaho
public school students may not be disparaged about not learning what
is not offered to them, especially foreign languages not offered in
primary schools, when an individual is more likely to better learn
the native pronunciation, and thus develop fluency.<br>
<br>
(Assuming, of course, instructors able to, and with materials to,
teach appropriate phonetic basics at age level.)<br>
<br>
Of the multiple reasons a person might want to learn another
language, one that is applicable to almost all second language
learners is that second language study broadens and deepens
understanding of the first language. The comparative and contrastive
benefits of second language study are an integral part of the
process, and a benefit to all language students whether or not they
use the second language with significant frequency. This seems a
reasonable justification for requiring foreign language study for
secondary school graduation, and as a component of adult basic
education.<br>
<br>
<br>
Ken<br>
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