That if you move to another country you should be learning that language to the best of your capabilities. I work with a lot of foreigners and the amount of them that are incapable or simply unwilling to speak, in my case, Dutch is insanely high. I do think we as a society should invest more in schooling and developing both the native and the new language of course. But learn the fucking language. At least try.
Languages is hard that’s true. An initiative our party took is the ‘festival of the mother tongue’ in which many different nationalities can showcase their language and local cuisine and whatnot. Really helps people think about language.
Also, it turns out that further developing your native language can also help with learning a new language. Hence why I think it’s important to stimulate that as well though reading and stuff.
That if you move to another country you should be learning that language to the best of your capabilities. I work with a lot of foreigners and the amount of them that are incapable or simply unwilling to speak, in my case, Dutch is insanely high. I do think we as a society should invest more in schooling and developing both the native and the new language of course. But learn the fucking language. At least try.
a) languages are hard. but immersion helps
b) I think the vast majority if expats won’t even consider learning the local language.
Languages is hard that’s true. An initiative our party took is the ‘festival of the mother tongue’ in which many different nationalities can showcase their language and local cuisine and whatnot. Really helps people think about language.
Also, it turns out that further developing your native language can also help with learning a new language. Hence why I think it’s important to stimulate that as well though reading and stuff.
also the question is if there are programs to help people learn the local language, rather then demonising them for struggling
I agree, especially for those American expats
Ok but it’s Dutch, I understand the hesitation
Everybody ganster until they have to pronounce arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering
In my top 3 most ridiculous languages for sure, can’t keep a straight face listening to those people, lol.