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I had a few hours a week at German, and didn't learn much
That's so sad too, what a waste of time. I'm pretty sure my language lessons (French and Spanish up to GCSE) didn't take up much time - less than 2h a week, and while they weren't my best subjects it was enough that I can still use both and I'm glad I was taught them.
hoefla-
I remember bits and can say hallo und auf wiedersehen but no chance of holding any kind of conversation. I think it was the learn by rote kind of methods that just sucked any joy out of it, much like the rest of school. I'm glad things seem better with my daughter but then you hear of the kind of shit they get forced to teach for English SATS and realise it's probably a good school in a bad system.
snottyotter
Language teaching is shit over here though, I had a few hours a week at German, and didn't learn much, and for 2 years had Spanish for an hour a week as an extra language. We literally spent that time doing word searches of Spanish words, I can do a word search in any language but I won't learn a fucking thing. It's a shame because I now find the similarities and differences between all the bits of other languages I've been exposed to really interesting and I'm sure a more natural, conversational way of teaching, focusing on things that are in common would probably lead to more multilingual people. Instead foreign language are force fed like English and other subjects, removing any joy and fun and interest and not using too many ands in a sentence from learning.