I was saddened to read that West Virginia University is terminating its language program (“West Virginia University would end world language majors, continue Spanish, Chinese instruction,” Aug. 29, TribLIVE). President E. Gordon Gee felt that you could learn the languages with an app.
I am a German native and a German language teacher, and I feel that an app can never replace a live teacher. The German language is very structured and logical. It helps to foster logical and critical thinking. Isn’t that what universities should teach? Also, the cultural aspect is very important. (I recently had my students compare the German and American tax and health system.)
So, we can learn from other countries what to do and what not to do. Then, hopefully, there will occur a widening of the horizon and more understanding and tolerance altogether.
Helga M. Mears
Greensburg