Ed Chan's Posting on Facebook - 2019

Though we discuss things from time to time on the Tosa East Facebook page, often the number of responses will be limited. But a question Ed Chan asked produced a record number of responses. His question was prompted as we reported the death of Spanish teacher Mariyln Naubaum, who had passed away nearly 3 years earlier.

Ed Chan's question: Foreign language. Does anyone remember if this was a requirement for graduation?

Responses

Donna Danielson Reinas: Edward Chan yes it was!

Edward Chan: Donna Danielson Reinas. Oops. I must have skipped out.

Tom OSullivan: Edward Chan no it wasn't.

Edward Chan: Tom OSullivan. So, I did graduate. 😉

Gene Hanson: No, it was not a requirement. But if it was ... my diploma is invalid. :)

Tom OSullivan: Edward Chan I was told that I didn't need it at Tosa. But I did move to California and graduated there. I didn't need a foreign language then. I just needed to learn how to speak like a Californian. Fer sure.

Donna Danielson Reinas: Gene Hanson at UW Madison they wanted some foreign language I believe? Or am I thinking of my kids and their colleges? Not sure haha

Gene Hanson: I didn't have it and went to Madison.

Edward Chan: I remember the foreign language requirement changed in my sophomore year. In science and engineering, most of the important papers were in German or Russian. I took German. When we were informed of the waiver, I dropped it like a hot potato.

Rick Oyaas: Edward Chan It was in 6th grade at McKinley grade school And I'm sure all of the grade schools in Wauwatosa.

Gene Hanson: Rick, I'm sure you are right about that. I remember that those of us at McKinley had to take either Spanish, French, German, or Russian. They all met at the same time.

Paul Snyder: Edward Chan yes Ed, that's how I remember history. I felt as if I had dodged a bullet not needing to learn a foreign language. Whew! Little did I know what life had in store for me.

Dick Manhardt: We had it at Lincoln in 6th. Then I remember taking Spanish at Longfellow to.

Holly Beyer: Edward Chan I took Russian and all I remember is a couple words and songs and 3/4ths of the alphabet

Donna Danielson Reinas: I had French at McKinley. Then two years at Longfellow. I hated it there. Then I switched to Spanish in High School. I was never good at foreign languages. I liked the French at McKinley. We would sing Christmas carols in French. I still remember that to this day. I can understand some French if not spoken to quickly and some reading. Spanish I did not like so much in high school, except Mr. Pacetti was sweet and fun. By then, I was even worse at picking up foreign language. You would think after years of taking French and Spanish I could speak it, but just a few phrases. I don't think the way the teach in our American schools is that great or was it just me? It's way easier to learn languages when young so hopefully elementary schools all teach it early.

Donna Danielson Reinas: Gene Hanson Then why did I take Spanish in high school?? ha ha. I did not like it!

Edward Chan: Paul Snyder And, Paul, you became impressively bilingual.

Edward Chan: And now, we need to learn the meaning of emoticons and text contractions. That is a foreign language to me. 😉

Tom OSullivan: Dick Manhardt at Wilson in the sixth grade we had to take a foreign language

Gene Hanson: Donna Danielson Reinas I believe I heard that some colleges looked favorably on a foreign language. I obviously ignored that.

Donna Danielson Reinas: Gene Hanson I'm sure your SAT scores were through the roof, LOL. You'd have your pick!

Dick Manhardt: When we were in the Army we were offered foreign languages to learn. They do teach them differently. Then grade school and junior high. By the time I got to junior high the teacher said I could not roll my R well enough. Now it comes in handy to listen and understand a little when you are in a room full of foreign people speaking Spanish.

Edward Chan: Learning a foreign language enriches one's mind. Even the process of attempting to learn has benefits.

Tom OSullivan: As a project / construction manager it would be helpful to know Spanish and many other languages but I have always got through. The only thing that I missed is whether or not they are cussing you out. You can usually tell.

Harry Profio: Ed I think u needed at least two years of a foreign language.

Edward Chan: Harry Profio Harry, I am glad I graduated because I didn't take any foreign languages. Just slipping through the cracks. Nobody is telling, right? 😉

Donna Danielson Reinas: Edward Chan Throughout the years, I have had little nightmares where I was one class short of graduating! This happened in high school and college. I'm thinking dear ol'Edward must return to Tosa and take a foreign language class, haha. They are going to track you down, buddy, there's not hiding now!

Tom OSullivan: It's a little to late to worry about it. Lol

Gene Hanson: I still get that stupid dream! It's college and of all things it's a math class that I have to retake. But most of time now I just rationalize that I don't need a college degree. I guess that's because though I did make great use of my college classes, I never actually needed the degree itself.

Holly Beyer: Gene Hanson I think its a universal dream. I still have the dream where I am required to go back to East because I missed some required classes. And there's always a moment when Im standing in front of my locker and can't remember the combination.....

Rick Oyaas: Me2