Modern Language

A modern language is any human language that is currently in use as a native language. The term is used
in language education to distinguish between languages that are used for day-to-day communication
(such as French and German) and dead classical languages such as Latin and Classical Chinese, which are
studied for their cultural or linguistic value. [citation needed] SIL Ethnologue defines a living language as
"one that has at least one speaker for whom it is their first language" (see also Language § Linguistic
diversity).

The teaching of modern languages

Modern languages are taught extensively around the world; see second language acquisition. English is
taught as a second or foreign language in many countries; see English language learning and teaching.

Asia

In Asia, most children learn an official version of their native language or learn a local major lingua
franca (for example Mandarin, 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 for official communication and are
both compulsory languages to learn in many schools. Some students however also study other Indian
languages along with English. English is the most-studied foreign language in the People's Republic of
China, India, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, the 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.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, English has the status of an official language and is widely used within the government, by
the civil service, and by the officer ranks of the military. Pakistan's Constitution and laws are written in
English. It is also taught extensively in both public and private schools. Studying English is compulsory in
Pakistan along with Urdu (the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan). Regional languages of
Pakistan are open to choose and a student is free to either pursue them or not. Nearly all schools,
colleges, and universities use English as the medium of instruction.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, Malay and English are taught as compulsory languages from the first year of primary school
with the exception of publicly funded vernacular schools (known as national-type schools). In the latter,
either Mandarin or Tamil is taught as additional compulsory languages. In non-vernacular schools, all
subjects with the exception of the sciences and mathematics are taught in Malay. In vernacular schools,
all subjects with the exception of the sciences and mathematics are taught in the primary language that
is used in the respective schools. The sciences and mathematics are taught in English, although some
Mandarin vernacular schools have dispensation to teach those subjects concurrently in Mandarin.

Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, where the official state languages are Sinhalese, Tamil, and English, all government schools
instruct either in Sinhala or Tamil. A few higher-level government schools (national-level schools) also
offer instruction in English. All students studying in Sinhalese or Tamil are also taught English as a second
language. All students studying in Sinhalese are also taught Tamil as a second language, and vice versa.

Middle East and North Africa

Language study in the Middle East and North Africa varies from one country to another, usually
depending on the foreign nation that colonized or occupied the country. For instance, in Algeria,
Morocco, and Tunisia, French is the most widely studied language besides the native Arabic, while in
Egypt and the Persian Gulf countries (such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Oman), English is
the main supplementary language. The teaching of languages other than Arabic, mainly English, is
compulsory in all schools in southern and central Iraq and at all levels, being a requirement for
graduation from school. In the Kurdistan Region (northern Iraq), the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia,
Syria, and Yemen, English is compulsory at all schools and all levels. [citation needed] In these countries,
English and other foreign languages tend to be offered as subjects only in certain, wealthier schools.
While Hebrew is the national language of Israel, English or Arabic are compulsory in elementary schools.

Egypt

As Egypt's economy depends mainly on tourism, many modern languages are taught and spoken there.
All children learn Arabic in school, but English is also mandatory beginning with the first grade (6 years
of age). Another language is mandatory for the last two years of high school (17–18 years); French and
German are the most commonly learned. There are also schools that specialize in particular languages.
For instance, in French schools in Egypt, students learn Arabic, French, and then English later on. In
German schools in Egypt, students learn Arabic, German, and then English, and probably some basic
French as well.

European Union

In all European Union school systems, it is mandatory to study at least one foreign language at some
stage during the school career; there is a tendency for this to start earlier, even in the first year of
primary school. Additional languages can be chosen as optional subjects. The most common foreign
language chosen is increasingly English (the most popular first foreign language in 23 of the 25 member
states of the European Union which do not have English as the language of instruction), followed by
French and German. Some 90% of pupils learn English as a foreign language, whether the choice of
language is obligatory or parental. Teaching is largely provided by generalist teachers in primary school
and by specialists in middle and secondary schools. An exception to this is Ireland, where Irish Gaelic and
English are the only mandatory languages, although the majority of students also study modern
languages as it may be compulsory to do so at the second level.

United Kingdom

All children of the United Kingdom learn English at school. In Wales, all children at English language
medium state schools learn Welsh as a second language until the age of 16, which is mainly taught
through the medium of English. Welsh language schools teach mainly through the medium of Welsh.
In addition, Modern Foreign Languages are a compulsory component of 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 be entitled to some teaching of a modern foreign
language. English is taught to immigrant adults and youths as necessary.

Modern languages are studied in universities and colleges and various degrees are awarded in modern
languages. The Modern Humanities Research Association was founded at Cambridge in 1918: After an
early change of name to MHRA in 1918, the unincorporated charity became an incorporated company
with the same name on 2 October 1997. Its declared aim is to encourage and promote advanced study
and research in the field of the modern humanities, which include modern and medieval European
languages, literature, and cultures.

United States

Although there is no official language in the United States, children learn American English as part of
their institutional education. As the responsibility of 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),
some public-school districts containing large numbers of English language learners (ELLs, notably
students who speak Spanish, Chinese, and 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. 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.).

As the global world economy makes knowledge of a world language a valuable work skill, a growing
number of elementary and middle school districts now offer modern language courses, usually on an
optional basis. Students are increasingly advised (and at times required) to study a foreign language in
high school, and more frequently at the college or university level. In 2006, "the most commonly studied
foreign languages in the U.S., determined by the number of students enrolled in foreign language
classes in colleges and universities" were, in order of popularity: Spanish, French, German, American
Sign Language, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Latin, Russian, and Arabic.

Venezuela

All children learn Spanish at school but begin to learn English at the age of six in pre-school. In some
other schools, like San Jose de Tarbes in Caracas, children begin to learn French and English when they
are promoted from pre-school to middle school. And because of the growing number of Chinese
immigrants, in certain areas of the country, there are also small schools for learning Chinese starting at
the age of eight.
Randy R. Richardson, Chair

All humans possess the gift of language, and true comprehension of this fundamental aspect of
ourselves is not easily achieved by the monolingual. A greatly enhanced understanding of ourselves –
our thought processes, our linguistic abilities, our culture – and of those who are unlike us comes
through the study of another language. We are richer, more capable persons if we develop the ability to
understand and communicate with those in another linguistic and cultural setting. We are better
prepared to understand the world and to respond to life’s changing opportunities if we break free from
some of the limitations that ethnocentricity and monolingualism tend to impose on any people. The
Scriptures, classical texts, and modern works of literature and thought are better understood in the
original language and with knowledge of the cultures that produced them. Living cultures and
individuals are better understood, and closer relations are established if the language barrier is down.

Modern transportation and communication technologies are bringing the world to us and taking us to
the world. International business, scholarship, travel, government work, missionary activity, and
Christian and other organizations, all bring us into contact with speakers of other languages. Today’s
instant communication brings to us the documents of the world – past and present – and offers us the
possibility of real-time contact with individuals we would never have encountered in the past.