Education should clearly be the main focus in the Legislature for the approaching session.

More specifically, I believe foreign-language education should receive great attention. Foreign languages should be taught in schools earlier, perhaps in elementary school. It is widely known that a person's ability to learn a foreign language wanes with age. I started to study a foreign language in the seventh grade, and I wish I had started earlier.

Some may argue that they studied a foreign language for many years since a young age and they still cannot remember a word of it. This is simply a result of inadequate and ineffective instruction. Foreign-language classes can sometimes be only a half-hour per week. These classes should last longer and be taught several times a week.

Also, a heavier emphasis should be put on speaking and communication skills. Students are often constantly conjugating verbs and memorizing grammar rules. While this is important in the pursuit of learning, students need more practice speaking and communicating.

Learning a second language can help students sharpen their own native-language skills as well, and can also open a door to international cultures and careers.

As air travel and the Internet continue to make this world a smaller and more connected place, learning new languages and being exposed to the different cultures of the world will be extremely beneficial, resulting in a more worldly and edified group of young people.