[color=green]“Studying a foreign language should be a college requirement for anyone planning to be a teacher.”
To begin with, teaching is not only a profession. This word is capable of having a life long impact on the praxis of any child. Active and healthy communication is of uttermost importance in this relationship. America, being a country of multi-national people, needs to improve the communication skills of its teachers. In this regard, learning a foreign language can be a marvelous step. Let us see the prons and cons of this issue.
First of all, a young college student, who desires to step in the profession of teaching, is often very enthusiastic. If, at this stage of his/her life, this energy/passion/zeal is being utilized in learning a foreign language, it will be a rewarding decission.
Moreover, as he is already a student, it is not difficult for him, to handle a new subject. A subject that will improve his communication skills, dramatically. In the wink of an eye, it may seem an additinal burden on a student, but actually it will enhance his knowledge and skills. It will widen his scope.
Also, it will make him feel comfortable with his future students, and will allow him to communicate with them quite amiably. It will help him in filling the communication gap between a teacher and his/her students. It will allow him to go beyond the imaginary wall that creates a hesitation in learning of a student, as he/she is unable to define his/her problem to the teacher. This can significantly effect the atmosphere of the classroom. This can help in changing the average output of the students, on the whole.
On the other hand, it may cause a hurdle in the way of aspiring teachers of tomorrow. There may be students, who although wants to join this profession but are not willing to learn a foreign language anyway. Often there are students who are good in teaching their respective subjects, but are not as good in learning a new language. Afterall, there are certain skills required to learn an entirely new language. It might reduce the rate of upcoming teachers. Also, it might cause them additional, unwanted pressure that badly effect their grades.
Hence, observing closely both sides of the coin, my opinion is that, although learning a foreign language can be a golden opportunity for the students who wants to join teaching profession. However, making it compulsory can cause a decline in the overall rate of students who are willing to join this profession. Hence, learning a foreign language should be introduced as an optional subject. Those who want to learn, will find it immensely effective, all the way in this profession. But others, who do not want to poke their noses’ into this matter, will not be denied a teaching degree atleast.
TOEFL listening lectures: How did Queen Elizabeth acknowledge the English victory?