The Language Requirement

The study of the language requirement by the Office of Tests does not, by itself, provide a compelling argument for eliminating the dreary burden. It does, however, indicate that perhaps there should be a more thoroughgoing modification than the deans have so far been willing to consider seriously.

Nearly three-quarters of the students polled in connection with the study didn't think much of their experience in trying to get through the requirement; a full ten per cent were thoroughly miserable.

There is even more convincing proof of how dismal the dilettante finds his study of language here: a full 80 per cent of Harvard's students apparently get out of the language for good as soon as the College will let them.

It is of course inexcusable that the College requires a student to stick with his foreign language study, even if it creates obvious academic difficulty. Some seven per cent fall into that category, according to the study, and the requirement should promptly be rewritten to permit such students to use their time elsewhere.

What is needed, if the language requirement is to be kept in some form, is not simply more waivers or a list of alternate departmental courses. There should be a new series of General Education courses that can provide for students at least a nodding acquaintance with a foreign culture, including its language.

The concept of General Education should not simply permit a department to have a whack at a student for as long as he lingers below some minimal level of competence; it does require a student's having some broadening academic experience in fields outside his own.

Some sort of language requirement falls legitimately within the sphere of a General Education program. The present requirement does not.