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Should our children learn Russian or Spanish?
Family & Parenting / 3:13 PM - Monday April 20, 2009

Should our children learn Russian or Spanish?

Okay, here's some background info before I get to the question. I was born and raised in Russia. I moved to the U.S. when I was 14. I am fluent in Russian and English. My boyfriend was born and raised in the U.S. He only speaks English.

I told my bf that if we get married and have kids, I want our children to study Russian as a second language. I want their native language to be English, but I want them to be able to speak Russian as well, since most of my relatives live in Russia and do not speak English. My mom lives in the states, but her English isn't very good. I can teach the language to the kids and they can practice it with me and my mom.

My boyfriend argues that it would be a waste of time for our children to learn Russian because "no one" in the U.S. speaks Russian. He insists that our children learn Spanish instead. Well, neither my bf nor I can speak Spanish. I mean, we know a few words and phrases, but we can't really speak it. Neither of us has any relatives or friends who speak Spanish. We'd have to hire someone to teach our kids Spanish. Which is fine, but ... who are our kids going to practice Spanish with so they don't forget what they learn?

I suggested to my bf that we have our kids learn both: Russian and Spanish, but my bf is still against our kids learning Russian. What do you think? Would it really be a waste for our children to learn Russian? Do you really think that Spanish would be much more useful for them?

- Asked by angelita, A Thinker, Female, 22-25, Denver, Other Profession

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they can learn both!!!
children are very receptive to learning new languages at a young age. their good at it.
i speak english, spanish and french because my parents decided i needed to learn all of those.
i still speak them to the day.

- Response by starofgod, An Alternative Girl, Female, 18-21, Artist / Musician / Writer

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Let them learn Russian from you and Spanish in school.

- Response by newnumbersguy32, A Mr. Nice Guy, Male, 36-45, Financial / Banking

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I say learn as many languages as possible!

- Response by number22, A Life of the Party, Female, 18-21, Toronto, Self-Employed

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I am sorry your bf doesn't see your point on this, it must be frustrating. The truth is that the more languages a person knows, the more intelligent that person becomes. As you know, you grew up learning to speak two languages, and here you are learning to live in a whole new culture. Admirable! The fact that you want your kids to know Russian is testament to your wanting your kids to not only respect and know you, their mother, but you also wish them to know and respect your family. That will give them a sense of pride, respect for their elders, and again, more intelligence! As for Spanish, it really is part of America now, and will continue to be so. I would agree that your kids should know Russian, and learn enough Spanish phrases to get by. It is so similar to English it will be easy. Again, tell your bf it is good for children to learn as many languages as possible. We can only pray that he comes to understand that learning Russian is respectful to you, their Mother!

- Response by mommynash1, A Hippie Chick, Female, 36-45, Who Cares?

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Where I live we have a large Russian community but as few people speak the language (middle/high schools tend to teach german, french or spanish) it makes it difficult for a lot of the social workers and sheriff deputies to speak with them without a translator present.

Personally, I don't see what harm could come from teaching your children Russian because by the time they attend college and seek out their careers employers may be looking for individuals who can speak another language in addition to spanish and english.

- Response by A Married Girl, Female, 36-45, Who Cares?

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In some schools, they already teach Spanish starting in 1st grade...Most of the towns in my county have already started this. I don't think withdrawling a child from free opprotunities to be educated is a correct and proper parenting. What you are saying is for your child(ren) to be ignorance. Educating you child mulitple lanuages, a hobby, a sport, history, math, english, ect to your best of ablility. Ignorance my be bliss for some but the success to life is to be knowledgeable and respectful of all cultures, religions, educations, and education.

TEach your child(ren) every language they can obsorb. Knowledge is power!

- Response by less2star, A Life of the Party, Female, 26-28, Self-Employed

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I agree with you. They should learn Russian. Why? Because it's part of their heritage, their cultural identity. It really is a part of who they are and would be shame to lose that part of them. I think it's sad that so many immigrants who came to the US in the 20s, 30s, 40, and 50s were so intent on assimilating that their children lost their language (I know so many people whose parents/grandparents were immigrants and didn't "keep up" the native language at home because they wanted their kids to speal English and be American).

- Response by carinabay, A Cool Mom, Female, 36-45, Lawyer

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Spanish is a complete waste of time. No meaningful business is conducted in spanish, unless you consider getting your order across to the woman at the McDonald's drive-thru window meaningful.

russian is far more significant a language in terms of facilitating economic or cultural exchange down the road.

If you're only going to have your child learn one foreign language, i would suggest Mandarin Chinese. If two, then Mandarin and Russian.

- Response by An Intellectual Guy, Male, 46-55, Los Angeles, Financial / Banking

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Russian is a part of their heritage and for that reason they should learn Russian. That way they can go to Russia on vacation and talk to relatives and maybe even spend a school semester there. You can teach them yourself or they can learn it in school. It would be a great advantage for them to know Russian. I live in the US, but was born in Sweden and I am fluent in Swedish. I will teach my kids Swedish. For sure.

- Response by silver75, A Thinker, Female, 29-35, San Diego, Other Profession

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I would suggest russian myself as its a very strong language but sounds awesome.

Spanish would "help" your kids in the next 20 years but its not major.

Me personally? Teach them as many languages as possible. Every year take a new language and then vacation where you can try out the language.


For a logical reason? Russian so he can speak with your half of the relatives.

- Response by hockeykid666, A Guy Critical, Male, 22-25, Toronto, Student

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