Title: Obama: "You need to make sure your child can speak Spanish" Source:
[None] URL Source:[None] Published:Jul 9, 2008 Author:Darkman Post Date:2008-07-09 14:22:07 by Jethro Tull Keywords:None Views:343 Comments:21
why spanish? (asking rhetorically) why not encourage children to learn any second language? and further what is this you SHOULD bs? btw, does obama speak spanish? do his wife and children?
Well said, christine.
Learning a second language is a good skill set for America's children to acquire starting in elementary school (not later than middle school) if they want to be a desirable hire (eventually after they graduate from college) in a global economy.
I would think that learning Russian or Chinese or Farsi [ future dominant economies] and/ or French ( we do a lot of trade and tourism business with Canada) might be a more suitable language to learn than Spanish frankly for future career positioning though basic Spanish is a good to know as an additional 3rd language especially if one's residence is in southwest states, Florida, or California.
Frankly any second language is good for children to be exposed to early in education - it's good brain food - the greater number of cognitive patterns/paths that are established early in life the better.
Good question about what second languages Michelle and Barack are fluent in though.
Evidently in 2006 Obama is quoted as responding as follows to that question:
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.): “Indonesian and a little Spanish.”
"a little Spanish" is not what he is recommending that American children NEED to learn when he pontificates on his campaign trail July, 2008 though. ha!
With regards to Michelle's second language skills...err...don't ask, don't tell is probably the best policy unless you want to get your head chopped off by daring to ask Mrs. Perfection such a "rude" question.