Quote Originally Posted by gugi View Post
Amazing - are you a mind reader? That's what I was thinking too, when I considered what is different now.

Oh, and I am very much with Alan on the unsubstantiated statements. My usual problem with this kind of articles is that even when they see fit to give an example or two these are just selected to make you form a general opinion on a subject based on just these few examples, which may as well be the few exceptions. Very shallow article in my book.

I was also wondering why would students/parents not care. I mean it seems to me in US enough people care to go to college, even better if it's a good one. That's because it improves their chances for better job with higher pay. Surely it's got to be not the form but the content that's important, although perhaps the few success stories at the tail of the curve when somebody prospers despite the lack of solid education are swaying people's opinion. I mean US is the land of opportunity and pragmatism - you don't need to know anything about Hung'ry or Turkey to make 6-7 digit salary. It really doesn't matter as much as it does in countries with more rigid class system.
This is interesting. I think it just comes down to needing to know. I have a question /point ---- I know that it is common to poke at Americans for knowing only one language --- but other than for enrichment (learning Spanish might be more important in the future), why would Americans need to know another language? I still think English is basically the international language of business,etc (correct me if I'm wrong) --and the rest of world tries to learn English -- there is no incentive.

I think Europeans are praised for knowing multiple languages, but I would think the languages learned are out of necessity and are practical for one reason or another ---interaction with important neighboring countries, maybe English because it is such an important language, etc. How many Europeans know languages from less important countries? --- I think it all has to do with position in the world and necessity.

Justin