Modern language: Difference between revisions

In Asia, most children learn an official version of their native language or learn a local major [[lingua franca]] (for example [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]], [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]]) in Asia-Pacific countries, and all subjects are taught in that lingua franca language except for foreign language lessons. [[Singapore]], in which English is taught as a first language, is an exception. In [[India]], Hindi and English are used both official languages of the [[Government of India]] and are both compulsory languages to learn in many schools. Many students also study official regional Indian languages along with English. English is the most-studied foreign language in the [[People's Republic of China]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Japan]], [[South Korea]], [[Republic of China]] ([[Taiwan]]), [[Singapore]] and [[Hong Kong]]. In China, English is a required language starting in [[third grade]], although the quality of instruction varies greatly. In [[Nepal]], almost all subjects are taught in English, except for [[Nepali literature]].

In addition, ''Modern Foreign Languages'' is a compulsory component in the state education system. At least one language is studied until the end of [[Key Stage 3]]. Particular schools may require younger students to study additional languages, and they may be given the option to continue these. Schools are required to teach a program of languages according to local and national guidelines. From 2010, all [[primary school]] pupils in [[Key Stage 2]] (aged 7 – 11) will beare entitled to some teaching of a modern foreign language. [[English language learning and teaching|English is taught]] to [[immigrant]] adults and youths as necessary.

Although there is no official language of the United States,<ref>{{cite web|title=Constitutional Topic: Official Language|url=http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_lang.html|publisher=U.S. Constitution dot net|access-date=3 September 2011}}</ref> children learn [[American English]] as part of their institutional education. As the responsibility of [[K–12|K-12 education]] sits not with the U.S. Department of Education but with each individual state's State Education Agency (State Department of Education),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/org_list.cfm?category_ID=SEA |title=Education Resource Organizations Directory (EROD) |publisher=Wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov |access-date=2012-06-11}}</ref> some public [[school district]]s containing large numbers of English language learners (ELLs, notably students who speak [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]], and [[Navajo language|Navajo]]) offer [[bilingual education]]. This two-way setting uses the student's native language as well as English to impart curriculum, but the National Association for Bilingual Education notes it has been a controversial—and sometimes political—topic for a portion of citizens who advocate for English-only education.<ref>{{cite web|title=What Is Bilingual Education?|url=http://www.nabe.org/bilingualed.html|publisher=National Association for Bilingual Education|access-date=3 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719155610/http://www.nabe.org/bilingualed.html|archive-date=19 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The U.S. also hosts many English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for people who have not learned English in school (most frequently immigrants to the U.S.).