Three years of compulsory German did little more than enable me to name two of Santa’s reindeers, seek attention or demand that people move quickly***. The fear is real because I was terrible at languages at school. Time, funds and opportunity are the ultimate cure for fear, indolence and procrastination. But the greater reality is that after years of posturing I ran out of excuses not to learn a second language. My rationale for learning Spanish at this point in my life is that I live ten miles from the Mexican border and wanting to start coaching football in a region with many bilingual youngsters. I can even see marketing advantages in publicising that the institution recognises the interplay between language acquisition and academic achievement.
This would give due regard to those academics and administrators who are genuine polyglots and should build empathy for students. Maybe every university should ensure that anybody engaging with international students has to do a course where they learn an unfamiliar language. My weekly evisceration of the Spanish language in a safe and supportive classroom just ten minutes from home pales by comparison. They endure homesickness, different foods, strange customs and, sometimes, outright hostility while trying to communicate and study in a language where they have limited ability. It is also a stark reminder of the extraordinary intelligence, desire and courage of international students.Įvery year thousands of young people travel around the world to study at degree level. Whether I will ever graduate to conscious competency is difficult to say but the experience has been both humbling and energising. Learning a language later in life is a powerful reminder of the painful step from blissful ignorance to conscious incompetence. Sir Francis Drake, the Dutch and the capricious winds off the English coast defeated the Armada and have a lot to answer for. Had that happened I probably would not be investing in Spanish language lessons at the Culture and Language Centre in San Diego**. When the Spanish Armada sailed in May 1588 the intention was to clear the way for an invasion of England and allow direct rule by King Philip II* of Spain.
Sanchari Sen Rai on International Student Heartland or Schitt’s Creek?.AlanPreece on International Student Heartland or Schitt’s Creek?.US International Enrollments See the Light But Pathway Struggle Continues.UK International Undergraduates – a New Status Quo?.An Englishman Abroad When The Queen Dies.