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Showing posts from July, 2023

How Fast Can I Learn a Second Language?

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by  Doug Price The time it takes to learn a second language varies depending on several factors, including the language being learned, your previous language learning experience, your motivation, the amount of time you dedicate to learning, and the resources available to you. Here are some general considerations: 1. Language Similarity: If the second language is similar to your native language or a language you already know, it may be easier to learn due to shared vocabulary, grammar structures, or phonetics. For example, an English speaker learning German or Spanish may progress faster than learning a language with a different linguistic background, such as Mandarin or Arabic. 2. Language Difficulty: Some languages have more complex grammar, pronunciation, or writing systems, which can make them more challenging to learn. Languages like Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic, which have different writing systems or tonal aspects, may require more time and effort to master. 3. Learning Envi

Language Interpretation in American K-12 Schools

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by Doug Price The provision of language interpretation services in American schools is guided by federal legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974. These laws mandate that school districts must take reasonable steps to overcome language barriers that impede students' equal access to education. As a result, school districts have implemented various strategies to meet the language needs of their diverse student populations. These strategies play a crucial role in ensuring effective communication and educational equity for students who are non-native English speakers or have limited proficiency in the English language. But the key consumers of interpretation services are parents, not students. For the most part, these students are 2 nd and 3 rd generation Americans who grow up speaking English outside the home even if they still speak their native tongue at home with their parents. Parents are the ones who most often