Here in france-cool every kid will have classes for at least two languages (one for four years, one for two IIRC), sometimes three. Depending on where they go to school the kids will sometimes have a lot of choices (Chinese, Polish, regional languages, etc.) or sometimes only either English, Italian, German, or Spanish.

[–] Ubermeisters@lemmy.zip 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Sure was mandatory in my achool, but you could take ASL (sign language) as a language requirement instead of (French or Spanish).

[–] TheCaconym@hexbear.net 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Learning sign language sounds pretty cool but I'd be afraid to lose it even faster than an unused spoken-language if not actively using it

Also you'd be able to communicate semi-secretly like a fucking Bene Gesserit so there is also that incentive

[–] came_apart_at_Kmart@hexbear.net 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

in secondary school (ages 14-18) it was highly encouraged to take at least 2 years of a foreign language, though american sign language counted. and kids on the "not college" pipeline didn't have to do that. j'ai trois ans de les cours de francais, but i haven't had much opportunity to practice or use it conversationally in like the 25 years since.

edit: secondary school offered french, spanish, german or ASL. the private $$$ schools offered mandarin and others.