Mandatory Arabic Classes Coming To Mansfield

[CARLHAYDEN]

Mandatory Arabic Classes Coming To Mansfield

February 7, 2011

MANSFIELD (CBSDFW.COM) – Some Students at Mansfield ISD schools could soon be learning Arabic as a required language.

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/02/07/mandatory-arabic-classes-coming-to-mansfield/

[CARLHAYDEN]

I'm not surprised by the complete lack of comprehension of the word "mandatory."

While learning languages other than English is generally desireable, it seems to me that it would be nice if students were offered a variety of languages to study, rather than be required to study a particular one.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Learning a second language isn't about losing your dignity or national heritage, CARL.  Learning a second language at a young age is about stimulating the brain.  By doing this, you will most definitely improve learning in other subjects.

A local K-8 charter school here held at the French camp at Concordia Language Villages has a lot of French immersion as well as outdoors 'nature as a classroom' science classes.  Most meals prepared for the students are French (though they also showcase other ethnic cuisines).  They also spend a lot of time learning about the French connection to our culture/history here (a la the Voyageurs).

Is that unamerican?  I guess in Arizona... 'murican is all you need ta know.  Sheriff Joe said so hisself!

Snowguy,

If you had read my second post in this thread you would note that I support learning a second language.

Why do you imply that I am suggesting that I am suggesting that "Learning a second language is about losing your dignity or national heritage"?

Are you incapable of understanding the substance of the original post which makes one foreign language (not a choice), mandatory?

[CARLHAYDEN]

Yes, I can see that the original story has been updated.  But, why would it have been necessary to update the original story, removing all references to "mandatory" classes, if the classes were in fact mandatory?  Was the original report that made Drudge in error about this?

NO!

When the public learned of the mandatory requirement, there was such an outcry that the school administrators began backing down by degrees.

Unfortunately, I have noticed a number of site that have 'scrubbed' their posts to be politically correct.

There are a number of other sites that have confirmed the original story.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Yes, I can see that the original story has been updated.  But, why would it have been necessary to update the original story, removing all references to "mandatory" classes, if the classes were in fact mandatory?  Was the original report that made Drudge in error about this?

NO!

When the public learned of the mandatory requirement, there was such an outcry that the school administrators began backing down by degrees.

Unfortunately, I have noticed a number of site that have 'scrubbed' their posts to be politically correct.

There are a number of other sites that have confirmed the original story.

Scrubbed for "political correctness?"  Um, no; they were changed to correct a misrepresentation in the original story.  The Arabic classes would, in the particular high schools where the program would be implemented, be electives offered from within the framework of the state's writing requirements.  Students don't have to take Arabic or classes in the "Arabic studies" program, and can fulfill their writing requirements through other coursework.  But, if they were to take some Arabic classes (not just on language), those classes would qualify in partly fulfilling state education board high school writing requirements.  The original story confused the issue.  The classes are not mandatory, they are electives.

The original story was correct!!!

When the school district ran into a wall of opposition, they modified their program.