Language Learning

Why Every Shore Boy Should Choose A Language

C. T. Lovell

LANGUAGE IS WHAT HAS DEFINED CULTURE and tradition for centuries. In the ancient world, people were distinguished by their language, and the same continues today. The learning of a foreign language is an integral part of one’s education, and I believe that every Shore student should choose a language as one of their electives or, when it comes to Years 11 and 12, their subjects. 

Learning a language presents a plethora of opportunities. I am learning French, and it is my favourite subject. Other than the joy of having Monsieur Gorge as my teacher, French has presented me with several advantages. 

Most obviously, choosing a language is advantageous as it provides one with practical and applicable skills to take into the real world. The ability to converse in the local language next time you travel overseas to Asia or Europe will make it easier to navigate the confusing and overwhelming landscape of a foreign country and your friends and family will be most impressed by how cultured you are. These skills can make travelling or working overseas much easier and more enjoyable too. 

The most wonderful thing for me about choosing French is the chance to foster and understand a new culture. While my mates were surfing the breaks on Queensland’s coast over last summer, I spent ten weeks in the North of France, in perhaps the coldest weather I have ever experienced. And what an experience it was. The opportunity to live with a foreign family, and to eat new food, to attend a new school benefited my character and broadened my understanding of the world. I will carry many precious memories from my exchange throughout my life and I cannot recommend the experience enough. Additionally, my French improved exponentially, presenting a lifetime of opportunity to work, live and travel in France and the Francophone countries around the world. Without taking French in Years 9 and 10, this would certainly not have been possible. And of course, it has given me a bonus in the French classroom at school and ameliorated my chances of performing well in the HSC.

Furthermore, learning a language improves one’s understanding of English. An increased comprehension of grammatical concepts and language devices has improved my level of writing and given me an understanding of the language we speak every day. 

Ultimately, choosing a language has been an invaluable opportunity for me, and I encourage every Shore boy to consider choosing French, German, Chinese, Japanese or Latin as one of their subjects in their senior years.