Esperanto was developed to be a neutral international language, an alternative to the dominance of one language. French immersion is a popular way for English speaking school children to learn French. I have been asked to comment on these and so here goes.
I believe that language learning and literacy learning are closely related. I am sure that I will get criticism over the following but I welcome it. I want to learn.
” In the USA at least 30 million, and arguably 93 million, adults would benefit from
additional literacy instruction, and that the system today can only serve
approximately 3 million adults through combined federal, state, and
philanthropic funding.†according to ProLiteracy, a major US organization devoted to improving literacy.
Their website sets the tone. “We need more funding” ” Poor literacy
costs the economy money” “Literacy education goes hand in hand with
social change” and other slogans and exhortations. It appears there are
many organizations committed to literacy learning, and they attract a
lot of funding. “Advocacy” would appear to be one of their main
activities. (See also the website of the National Coalition for
Literacy.)
93 million people out of 300 some odd million or so Americans would
benefit from literacy instruction. Wow! You cannot accommodate these
people in class rooms. That has to be close to half of all adults in
the US!
I suspect that most “literacy programs” do not have much of an impact.
Based on my experience with language learning I suspect that literacy
teaching is no more effective than language teaching.
I am convinced that LingQ would help, at very little cost. I have not
been successful in interesting anyone in the literacy establishment
because they are more motivated by advocacy than in finding solutions
that can be more effective and less costly. I have asked them to look at LingQ to see if it could be adapted to the needs of the literacy campaign. I have told them that it could be used free of charge. I have been told in no uncertain terms that they are not interested because I am “for profit” and/or because I do not have the requisite academic credentials.