re: #391 SanFranciscoZionist

We teach foreign languages, but for the most part, have no intention of producing people who can speak those languages. It’s sort of a stupid use of resources.

*nod* In order to get my undergraduate degree, I was required to take 2 semesters of a foreign language. WTH is 2 semesters going to really do for me? Like I said, I speak/write French like a 5 year old. I’m hoping that it’ll be fine for the vacation we’re planning on for later this year… but I can’t in any way shape or form actually _speak_ French, unless being able to go in to someone’s house and say “c’est un table” counts as “speaking”

FWIW, I think that English has a certain mystique for Europeans. A lot of pop music and other pop culture things are in English, so there’s both exposure and incentive.

Funniest thing we ever say was Idolos Portugese (basically Portugese Idol) doing a Michael Jackson night. Billie Jean being sung where the singer has absolutely no understanding of the context of the song is funny as hell.