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In my experience with language learning (formally Spanish and German, informally French and Dutch), just learning the language is insufficient. It's not until time is spent within the culture, time and informal interactions, that the benefits are found.

American culture is very insular and everything disappears to be over the horizon. The real need, without regard to language, is to create a broader world view, recognition of the differences between cultures, a sense of history and from these derives the benefits not fully gained merely from language. So, this argues for integrating language study with other studies and none will have a genuine benefit until the student experiences directly an other culture.

john richartz

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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