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Romano: Parlez vous computer programming?

 
Sen. Brandes
Sen. Brandes
Published Dec. 13, 2016

Once upon a time, there was a mediocre student (me) who won a ridiculous award (Spanish Class Student of the Year) and was told he could be fluent in two languages (not a chance).

The point is not that he was a moron (the jury is still out), but that he had neither the enthusiasm nor the aptitude (see above) to master a second language.

All of which brings me to Senate Bill 104.

Filed last week by state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, the bill would add computer coding as another option for the current foreign language requirement in Florida high schools.

"The great thing about this plan is that it's just an option. It isn't mandatory,'' Brandes said. "If parents and kids think it's better long-term for their careers, or will make them a more well-rounded person, to learn a foreign language, then they can still take those classes.

"If they're more interested in technology and computer sciences, then this would offer them a viable option.''

Here's what strikes me about the bill:

1. It clearly sidesteps the intent to encourage multilingual students.

2. That's okay.

And please don't take that the wrong way. Fluency in more than one language is a remarkably valuable commodity in the job market, and in life itself.

My concern is there are millions of students who have no intention of putting in the work necessary to learn another language and are merely going through the motions to get their credits.

So why not use that class time more wisely?

It's not like the bill will allow students to bypass the foreign language requirement for some useless elective, such as weight lifting or journalism. (Yes, I'm kidding. Weight lifting can be useful.) Instead, it would be an introductory lesson in a field with real-world benefits.

A similar bill was introduced last year and sailed quickly through the Florida Senate, but barely got looked at in the House. Critics, at the time, said it would require too much additional funding. The fear was that some schools do not have enough computers to accommodate the classes.

Brandes says those funding worries are overblown. The state has already begun moving toward computer-based programs for the Florida Standards Assessments so most schools should have more than enough classroom technology in the next year or two.

"Hardware and access are not the big hurdles,'' he said.

The roadblocks in 2017 could be more philosophical. With so much emphasis on science, technology and mathematics classes in recent years, some legislators might argue that a foreign language requirement makes for a more balanced academic background.

And then there's the problem of prerequisites in higher learning. Florida may be able to tweak its college entrance requirements, but many out-of-state universities will insist on foreign language credits for admission.

With those issues in mind, Brandes has kept the bill flexible. Computer coding would not be a requirement, so students could still take the same foreign language classes as before. The bill would not even require computer coding to be offered if a high school does not have the resources or demand.

He doesn't yet have a sponsor in the Florida House, but Brandes says the mood has shifted.

"There seems to be a lot of interest from some fairly senior members in the House,'' he said. "I think we'll be okay with it this year.''

I took three years of Spanish in middle and high school, and remember just enough to correctly pronounce Pollo Tropical.

Given the chance to do it all over again, I'd probably make the same decision. But it would be nice to at least have another option.