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America By Domenico Maceri
Porter J. Goss, who gave the introductory speech. He stated that he was glad to be part of something "that is a very big problem." The facility includes researchers who will try to find out why some students learn faster than others and the role memory plays in learning languages.The time it takes Americans to learn a foreign language varies. Languages that have much in common with English take a lot less than those which are very different and have a different alphabet. It takes about 24 weeks of full-time study to learn French or Spanish, considered "easy" languages. In the case of Arabic it takes 88 weeks. Learning Arabic is made difficult because it has little similarity to English. In addition, it has 20 dialects, which add to the complexity, forcing teachers to choose which version to focus on. In essence, the 20 dialects of Arabic make it more than "one" language.Although the new facility is certainly welcome, learning languages takes a long time, and beginning the study as adults is not a wise choice. Language study in the US needs to become part of the curriculum in the early grades as is typically the case in other countries. It matters little what languages are taught in elementary school since being bilingual is definitely an asset in learning a third or fourth language. Just like learning to play a second or third musical instrument is easier for a musician, the same applies to language learning. Learning Arabic is a lot easier for someone who already knows English and Spanish or English and French.The US language "problem" will not be solved fast no matter what the research manages to find. In the short run, a temporary solution is to focus on people who already have language skills among the immigrant community. Soon after 9-11 many Arabic speaking people were hired to work for the government. The FBI even held a job fair in a New Jersey mosque. In 2001, it had 70 Arabic-speaking employees, but now it has 216. That is certainly a positive development.In addition, the number of students studying Arabic at the Foreign Service Institute, which teaches languages to government employees, is up to 441.Yet, stronger links with the Arabic-speaking community need to be established.That means in a broader sense projecting a sense that government officials can be trusted.Unfortunately, some of the actions by US government agencies and personnel have proven to be totally counterproductive.The torture revelations in Abu Ghraib and the reports of abusing the Koran in the detention center in Guantanamo, Cuba, discourage many Muslim immigrants to get involved in government. In fact, these actions tend to reinforce whatever little credence terrorists might have within the Muslim community.Learning languages is very valuable because, as Poter Goss said, it will explain why some nations are hostile to us and ultimately make us more secure in the world. Knowledge of languages, however, is also valuable because it breaks down barriers and shows the humanity we all share regardless of the language we might speak. ![]() Julián Castro's Monolingualism: a ... Biden's Immigration Plan: Between Trump and ... Legal and Illegal Immigration: A Winning Hand ... World Cup: Beyond the Soccer Field John Kelly's Fails English and History Trump's Tiny Heart and DACA's Repeal Yesterday's Immigrants: Better Than Today's? Trump's Alternative Reality on Immigration: a ... Kaine's Español: Not Just Empty ... Immigration: The Supreme Court Hands GOP a ... Trump's Tax Returns: Our Business? Trump's Wall is Full of Holes Angry Latino Voters Will Deny Trump the ... Bilingualism and US Presidents Cruz: A "Canadian" for the US Presidency? Spanish in the US: Just an Immigrant Language? US Border Enforcement Bil Too Tough, Unwise Freedom of Speech in English Only? The GOP: No Guest Worker Program? Tancredo: the Ugly Face of the GOP? Rights for Illegal immigrants? Healthcare for All? No English, No Service? Enough Undocumented Workers? Bilingual Principals? Domestic Workers: Family Members? Mexico in US Tongue-Tied Bush? Is Immigration a Local Affair? Voting Rights in Español Profiting from Illegal Immigration? Job Safety for All? When English Only Discriminates Border Control with Songs? Guilty Parents, Innocent Children? Only One Language for America? George Bush: Already Lame Duck? A Comprehensive Immigration Bill That Works Language as Integration Driving in English Only? Illegal Workers Saving Social Security? Learning Languages the Easy Way? English-Only Laws: Why? Arnold Schwarzenegger: Pete Wilson II? Language Fluency Means Security Stingy Government But Generous People ![]() Julián Castro's Monolingualism: a ... Biden's Immigration Plan: Between Trump and ... Legal and Illegal Immigration: A Winning ... World Cup: Beyond the Soccer Field John Kelly's Fails English and History
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