Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 02, 2008 Letters
DEAR EDITOR,
I am just trying to ensure that this matter remains on the agenda: there is the need for us to have a more aggressive foreign language programme.
A few years ago I wrote on this matter, and would like to reiterate my views. I think it is becoming more and more imperative that we have a more comprehensive programme for foreign languages to be taught, particularly Spanish and Portuguese.
I am of the view that the added value which Guyana brings to Caribbean development is in the areas of agriculture (and the current food crises have further highlighted this), natural resources, forestry, as the gateway to Latin America, among others.
One would think that the latter should happen naturally because of our location; but although we are rightly positioned in terms of geography, it would be of little advantage if we cannot communicate effectively.
With approximately 350 million people next door, there are lots of opportunities, but we need to learn their languages and find a way to teach them ours.
There is a serious interest in Latin America to learn English, and to interact more with our world and learn our culture, and to do more business with us. While I know this is common knowledge, we need to do something about it.
Could we not have a ‘National Foreign Language Programme’ perhaps to be done in several phases. Maybe, in the first phase, to expose more members of the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, Customs and Excise and the Judiciary to training in Spanish and Portuguese?
I remember working at the High Court in the early 1990s when one of the parties to a civil action was a Brazilian who was not fluent in English.
The court had to be adjourned for a few days to recruit a competent interpreter so the foreigner could have had equal opportunity to justice. As we interact more with the South, it would become essential for members of the Judiciary to at least have a working knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese.
Then, maybe in the second phase of the programme, a more comprehensive programme for schools could be developed.
I know there is a shortage of teachers, but perhaps exchange programmes could be considered. I was in Chile in 2003 and the students and professors from the Universidad Arcis, in Santiago, at that time, were very keen on an exchange programme with our university.
These are just my thoughts on how this could be done; others may develop a more comprehensive and strategic approach for a programme, but, nevertheless, it is something we need to look at seriously.
Also, even as we look at positioning Guyana as a competitive economy, we need a second and perhaps a third language (Spanish and Portuguese, respectively).
This is all a part of acquiring the right development capacities. Could we not get a loan or a grant and put this as a part of our National Competitiveness Strategy? Just asking… However it is done, please keep it on your agenda, Mr. President!
Audreyanna Thomas
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