Why must I learn French at school?

Learning foriegn languages helps to develop a different part of the brain. It also opens you up creatively, especially when it comes to writing. As Americans English language is the language of success in this country, so it should be our primary language, but if you are going to travel it is good to know other languages as well.

I hated French with a passion. I took it for 8 long years because it was mandatory and to this day, I remember only bits and pieces of what I was taught, and could not function if I were to be dumped into Quebec City or Paris. German, on the other hand, I only took for a couple of years and could manage on that.

I completely admire people who have an aptitude for languages and I wish I had it too. But I don’t believe it should be compulsory at school, at all. Maybe just an introduction, some practical hints and leave it at that.

There are SO many useful things schools could teach about the world and the life that you’re probably headed into. But no - we have to learn how to draw an onion epedermis and a nice picture of sedimentary rock formation. I don’t get it.

Because it enables you to talk and write to French people. Because some French people hate learning English just as much as you hate learning French… And then you go to France the other day and you will starve because you are unable to order a meal at the restaurant. :P

I had to learn English at school (8 years). And French (6 years). And Latin (4 years). And some Spanish (2 years). Now I talk to English speaking people on the Internet every day. And to French and Spanish speaking people on my vacations. It’s actually quite useful to know some basic words, if you ever go to places where people speak foreign tongues.

But I still haven’t figured out what Latin was good for. Except mental torture. I think that Latin is the late revenge of the old Romans. They couldn’t beat us barbarians, so they left Latin teachers in our schools. :(

in case you go to france one day

i never will or want to though.