Day 100

Voyageur Provincial Park, Ontario. Appropriate name, for day 100- Voyageur, (French spelling). On to

Montreal. Day 100.

Oh, how I wish to speak French! Just enough! And okay, by the way, at least three other languages-But French Today.

I think of mandatory ‘foreign language’ classes that took up time. Two to Three years of language “required”. Opportune time in ones prime. Used up with worksheets, movies, useless elementary, childless phrases, and not to the fault of the educators who were fluent and proficient, and mostly passionate about language- but lacked time and outside exposure for practical linguistic exchanges. Language classes-

that could have been enriching- enlightening- Use-Full, if not for the monotony of testing.

And for what? What was the purpose of all those mandatory classes? What was it all for?

Language classes. Language, (English) which is priority #1 in US public education. Essential Learning targets. Yet, fluency in English- let alone French, Spanish, German, Greek, Latin, -the neck of learning, and heck! The very roots of basic English- Basic, communication is stifled.

And what of the consequences?

Lack of communication skills. The very essential learning of public education. And who is to blame?

Kids of course! For taking courses they never asked for.

Toronto: