"Even a Fiuscrzsa Ticiwelmun Knows That a Typewriter is Feminine."

Language can be a difficult topic to wrap your mind around. Isn't it odd how ten people can say the same exact thing ten different ways? Isn't it strange that we may understand one of those people, but not the others, even though they are all saying that one same thing? Language is an incredible device, but it poses a few problems and creates some borders between people. Yes, one can learn a new language, but not everyone has time, and learning a new language can be incredibly difficult! (All of those who can speak more than one language fluently, I applaud you). In Me Talk Pretty One Day David Sedaris explores the challenges he faced while taking a French class. He describes how awful his teacher was, and how she would often tease the students whenever they misspoke. Some of the details in the article are likely exaggerated, but it got the message across: not knowing the language of the country you are in will often get you looked down upon.

When someone is in a country where they don't know the native language, it leaves them feeling out of place and inadequate. Being able to communicate is very important in any human society. Those who cannot communicate properly may be treated like children, or even worse, made fun of because they cannot speak and be understood.

Despite the negative focus of the article, it ends on a good note. The author realizes that when the teacher jokes at his broken French, he understands every word of her cruelty. After this realization he is filled with confidence because even though her teaching method is tough and unforgiving, he is still learning the language.

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Let Teenagers Try Adulthood

High school is something that one might have seen as the "big leagues" when they were younger. It is often romanticized in popular culture as the best four years of your life. However, once you get there it quickly becomes obvious that high school is NOT going be the way you see it in the movies. 

The article Let Teenagers Try Adulthood discusses our flawed education system, specifically high school. Before I even start on the content of the article I'd like to mention the title. It sounds almost as if it is a challenge. Let Teenagers Try Adulthood. They might fail or even sabotage their future because of this new system, but let them try anyway. Saying it that way probably makes it seem as though I dislike this article, but that is not entirely true. The article brings up good points and suggests some decent ideas for change in the system. The problem is that there is no way to change the school system so that it works properly, and accommodates the wants and needs of the students. This is because every person is different, and therefore matures at their own pace. The article mentions that students should be focusing their studies at a younger age and before they go to college. The problem is that most fifteen and sixteen year olds do not know what they want to do with their lives. There will be a situation where an unsure child is forced to choose what they want, only to regret it later in life. By then however, it will be too late because they had to choose their path before they were ready. Children and adolescents cannot grow up by force, most of them need some time.

Yes, the current school system is full of holes, and could probably use an update. The issue is that this update is that one that requires you to restart your computer so you keep putting it off until you have absolutely no choice but to do it.

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