As a teacher of language and literature and as a Bahamian who speaks more than one language, let me state that Arob's arguments are not good points and sadly limited. Language acquisition has to take place early if it is to hold, the earlier, the better. The re-introduction of the BJC examination in Spanish can only be a good thing if students are expected to retain more of the languages they have been taught. Having an exam will increase the subject's prominence, and create certain benchmarks earlier of where student's language ability should be. Although our politicians tend to sell Spanish education by talking about the proximity of Hispanophone countries and communities, the tourism industry, and catering to Spanish speaking tourists,one of the best arguments for placing a national focus on Spanish earlier--which is what the BJC exam would do--is that training in a second language helps students understand their PRIMARY language better. Secondary language training helps students to speak and write better English, ironically. Having a nation of people who CAN speak more than one language in NO way shields the tourist from having an authentic Bahamian experience. English is our primary language and the country is immersed in it, the tourist cannot escape that.
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APB 14 years, 4 months ago
As a teacher of language and literature and as a Bahamian who speaks more than one language, let me state that Arob's arguments are not good points and sadly limited. Language acquisition has to take place early if it is to hold, the earlier, the better. The re-introduction of the BJC examination in Spanish can only be a good thing if students are expected to retain more of the languages they have been taught. Having an exam will increase the subject's prominence, and create certain benchmarks earlier of where student's language ability should be. Although our politicians tend to sell Spanish education by talking about the proximity of Hispanophone countries and communities, the tourism industry, and catering to Spanish speaking tourists,one of the best arguments for placing a national focus on Spanish earlier--which is what the BJC exam would do--is that training in a second language helps students understand their PRIMARY language better. Secondary language training helps students to speak and write better English, ironically. Having a nation of people who CAN speak more than one language in NO way shields the tourist from having an authentic Bahamian experience. English is our primary language and the country is immersed in it, the tourist cannot escape that.
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