After reading the written efforts of some of todays students, I'm not so sure that the English language will survive in any case. Supposedly good students seem unable to write a simple declarative sentence that is grammatical and without spelling errors. If our students are unable read and write their native tongue, think of how confused they must be when dealing with Spanish speakers. To compound the problem I wouldn't be much surprised if todays Spanish students aren't just as illiterate as those who've live in the suburbs.
The country would do well to encourage our students to become multilingual; we live in a multilingual/multicultural world. While English is the Lingua Franca of the 21st century, our ever closer ties with the rest of the world makes knowledge of a second, or even third language, a definite asset. I would encourage todays students to not only become better at English, but to learn Spanish and Mandarin as well. In the Western Hemisphere we are in constant contact with Spanish, and written Chinese is the key to communicating with the largest single ethnic group of our species. Those who are able to communicate outside English will have a definite advantage in the future.
On the other hand, not to be fully literate in English, even if you live in some an insular cultural group is to be handicapped in the modern world. Without English even the brightest and most promising student will never have full access to the world's information and opportunity. Projects to enhance English as a Second Language are doing great work, and deserve our support. It is a shame that our own children are so illiterate in their own language, and that most of them are hopeless with ANY other language.
Walter, as usualy, Fox can't keep events straight. She was unaware, apparently, that McWhitey was sneering at you, rather than at me.
