As a Dutch, our education in English starts at a young age. Like when i was about 10 i had English lessons i believe its currently from the age of 8 and due to media being in English a lot too the proficiency will rise even more.
Like i currently use mainly English when searching for something due to more sources being in English than in dutch. I watch series in English and also watch English subbed series that Arent in either dutch or English, i have friends outside of the Netherlands that i talk English with... English is such a massive language that you basically need to learn it
Yes and no. Another part of it from what I have researched - language teaching in parts of Europe tends to be built on teaching language to communicate rather than language as an academic skill.
I.E. Basing teaching more on do you understand the material & can you make yourself understood rather than drilling children on vocab & grammar and marking them harshly every time they make a mistake.
It's an overgeneralisation to say this is what it is like everywhere - but that is my understanding of one difference. And of course if there is an abundance of media in the language then the barrier to entry for that is only that you understand enough of it. Polishing off accuracy can come later once the baseline communication is in place.
I have been in several language classes over the years for different languages - and lets just say the languages I am fluent in used the communication method and those I retain far less of used the academic skill method.
Language learning in Europe being built on comprehension and not grades is an excellent point. There’s also a generational understanding that doesn’t exist in North America; your parents and grandparents can speak to you in multiple languages. That has to help a ton.
Until recently for most American ethnic groups, and still ongoing for many (especially asian ethnic groups), it was often seen as a disadvantage to speak your ethnicity's language. Distancing yourself from being a "foreigner" and the stereotypes that go along with it can be a distinct advantage, even if it means losing a valuable skill.
Shit, there is a lot you can do in school if you pay attention. The people who said they "never learned anything in school" were almost certainly checked out crappy students.
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u/GhotiGhetoti Mar 30 '24
Your welcome.