Philosophy of Teaching Foreign Languages

Since the time when God confused language at the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9), those who wish to communicate with people of a different language had to learn to speak in their language to witness to them.  Today people do not have the advantage of an instant foreign-language gift as described in the New Testament.  Instead, they must study languages appropriate to their field of service.  Modern research and experience indicate that the earlier a person begins a study of another language, the more accurately and thoroughly he will know that second language.  Children who grow up bilingual are equally at ease in both languages.

Language study comprises four areas:  listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each language has its own rules of pronunciation, grammar, spelling, capitalization, structure, and syntax, and sometimes its own alphabet or script.  Language students become intellectually richer by their study of vocabulary, literature, and history of the foreign language.  Learning a foreign language becomes an avenue of communication and understanding of the people of another culture.  Jesus Christ instructed Christians to go witness to others throughout the world (Matt. 28:19-20).  To be able to witness, often Christians must learn another language.

Foreign language students can use their knowledge of listening, speaking, reading, and writing a foreign language in order to live a Christ-centered life better.

Speaking a foreign language to communicate effectively is important in order to witness to others both in Miami and in foreign countries.  Speaking correctly depends first of all on hearing nuances of sound very clearly.  Thus younger people learn to speak more easily and accurately than do those over eleven years of age, when one’s hearing acuity begins to deteriorate.  Speaking the foreign language in order to witness for the Lord is a goal of those who plan to be missionaries in foreign lands.

Reading literature in a foreign language helps the students to understand the culture of that foreign country.  Reading is necessary in order to understand the patterns and structures of the foreign language.  Reading the Bible in a foreign language becomes even more interesting and informative when the student can compare words used in the Bible with the same words used in other contexts of literature.  Students need guidance in choosing literature to read in the foreign language.

Writing a foreign language gives practice in using the grammar and structures that the students have learned orally.  Writing accurately and clearly gives good testimony of the diligence and perseverance of students redeeming the time (Eph. 5:16) that they are in class.

Whether studying a foreign language or any other high school subject, students need to prepare themselves as “approved unto God” (II Tim.2:15) in their area of language study.  As they study their Bible to rightly divide the word of truth, they need to learn to discern good and acceptable literature in that language.  Even if the student does not become a missionary, students will benefited from learning a second language.  Listening, speaking, reading, and writing a foreign language will enrich the life of each student and will help him to be a better servant for the Lord.

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