Summary Response Essays
Introduction
Learning is not something that is easily achieved since it is associated with some costs and learning a foreign language is no exemption. To learn a language of an adopted state is a beneficial thing since it helps in daily interactions which may either be economical or social. For most individuals, the ability to learn is influenced by the hardships that one experience and therefore some family connections are lost in the process. To be accepted socially and to get some economic chances in an adopted state requires the capability to communicate in the nation’s primary language. This trend, therefore, offers no choice to the foreigners adopted in the particular case. For Richard, his learning of the English culture benefited him highly socially and in his education has he would communicate well and prove his abilities. However, this alienated him father from his family which was speaking his primary language at home despite the fact that his love for them was never lost. Learning a foreigner language for a child who feels the urge of social acceptance, enjoying economic benefits as well as getting an education in an adopted state is not an option but a requirement that is accompanied by family bonds loss.
One’s native culture does not have to be abandoned in order to completely assimilate into a fresh one. One should focus on learning but not losing their individuality which was built up by their native culture. A native heritage is essential in sustaining connectivity to those that are close by ensuring that their emotional needs are well handled. Richard’s loss of family connection, as well as culture, was influenced by the fact that he wanted to fit into the English society and gain acceptance. His parents were wrong in their decisions since they had the opportunity of teaching their son of the significance of sustaining his native background even after learning the adopted country’s culture. If he had been taught to speak both languages he would not have felt as if he was isolated from the public in order to stick to his home values. Speaking both languages would have given him the comfort of being proud of both his achievements and his origin.
Richard had no choice since he had to learn the English language and culture to fit into the environment. His inability to communicate in English drew him closer to a home where the Spanish language was best since he understood it while being alienated from the society which he needed for survival. Social acceptance is one of the primary needs that can determine the efforts and efficiency of an individual particularly in education and the economic world. This implies that a public culture should never be denied from a child as it is crucial in building their confidence. Richard’s connectivity with the family was lost after he learned English which helped him to connect with the broader community. To him, the Spanish language and culture was the only limiting thing to establishing his abilities which led to the alienation. This does not mean that he made the decision to assimilate but his learning increased his abilities thus making the English culture more beneficial.
Parents are the primary authority figures in a child’s life and therefore, they should ensure that the child is given adequate social support. Teaching a child a foreign language does not only help in boosting his skills in communication but also his abilities. In an adopted states language assimilation is the most significant aspect as it increases an individual’s abilities to get more opportunities. Richard was necessitated to learn the English culture on his own his parents had denied him the opportunity despite the fact that they knew he needed it. This brought so many changes in his life and the transformation was all that he ever wanted. He lost his connectivity with his family because he needed more time and efforts in assimilating into the new culture. Without the knowledge of an adopted nation’s language, one can be regarded as an illiterate or ignorant thus denying the opportunity to achieve more socially and economically.
Conclusion
In summary, for most children learning a foreign language is a hard task because of the lack of parental support. Even with the challenges, children needs social acceptance at every level ranging from school to social interactions. Learning the foreign language and culture to them, therefore, proves to be more of a need rather than an option. Language assimilation is hard but it is associated with more benefits than drawbacks. Through this, a child can be able to interact well socially and get an education which in turn provides more and wider economic opportunities. Richard needed to fit in the society and his only option was to learn the English language and culture which helped in changing the perception of others towards him. His loss of connectivity was just a consequence of the decisions made by his parents.
Reference
(n.d). Analyzing the Model, Writing Model. Did It Have To Happen? A response to Rodriguez, Richard. An education language.