By Felix Zheng

Most schools in America offer foreign language classes in their curriculum, but how important is it to actually teach these languages? For me, learning different languages is crucial for America because of its various benefits. 

Knowing a second language has been proven to improve brain functionality and attention. Kids can experience a variety of benefits like being able to adjust to environmental changes. And it's not just for young students; older seniors experience less cognitive decline as a result of learning a second language. Having smarter citizens would benefit America greatly for innovation and important decision-making for the future. 

Learning a second language can also help with communication. Whether it’s for work or daily life, having the ability to communicate can be beneficial. It broadens opportunities for life and can increase wages. Connections can better be made within communities by shared languages. 

America prides itself on being the best country, but it lags behind in certain ways compared to other countries in the world. Data from Pew Research Center shows that only 20% of American kids from Kindergarten to 2nd grade, an age where learning a new language can be crucial, take a second language. Comparatively 92% of European kids of the same age take a second language. Considering the many benefits of having a second language, this can put Americans at a disadvantage. 

Like a melting pot, as John de Crevecoeur would describe in 1782, America is defined by its diversity. An American isn’t defined by race or ethnicity. By pushing for learning foreign languages, America can live up to its image as a place where different cultures intermix through shared languages. 

Also, by teaching other foreign languages, languages can be preserved that would have otherwise been lost in new generations. From my personal experience, my parents came from China and speak Mandarin. I can converse with them, but my skill is nowhere near fluent, even though I have had Mandarin spoken to me my whole life. I’m sure there are other people, like me, who wouldn’t be able to pass down their language to their kids. The language that is important to the identity of the family line is subsequently lost. Having more foreign language options in America would help pass down unique cultures. 

In conclusion, the various cognitive benefits and different cultures are why America should promote learning a second language. America would be a much more welcoming country and live up to its nature as a beacon to other countries.

By Edwin Tiwari 

There is a health epidemic in America because of the food that is being sold to Americans. The government needs to give a better representation of the country, especially with other nations looking at America as a region of obesity. 

Other countries are not wrong to believe this representation of Americans. Americans often start their day off with a bowl of cereal when they don't eat the traditional fatty and oily bacon and eggs to start their day. 

However, most cereals on shelves aren't made up of just a few simple ingredients. Instead, they contain many highly processed ingredients that are manufactured in a lab. Apart from the bad filler ingredients, there is an unnecessary amount of sugar. The problem is most Americans are looking for the best tasting and sweetest tasting foods. As a result, companies exploit Americans' taste buds by artificially creating flavors to satisfy them. 

The government should prioritize the health of citizens over profit that these corporations make. In Europe, for example, they are very cautious about the food they give their residents. Europe uses a precautionary approach which checks food ingredients for safety before sale. However, in America, foods are generally considered safe until the FDA finds that they are harmful for health (“Differences between European and American Food Standards”). Not only is America less strict with putting food on shelves, the FDA is lenient with ingredients that are harmful to humans. 

But why would the government that's supposed to keep citizens safe allow foods to poison Americans silently? 

The answer is simple: money. Highly processed foods are cheaper, more convenient, and last longer on the shelf. It makes selling the foods easier for businesses and eating simpler for consumers. But a lot of people forget the other cost, which is their health. Each bite of processed foods and each sip of soda consisting of sugar, artificial flavors, and harmful ingredients is slowly killing Americans.

It is not surprising why so many Americans develop health complications such as diabetes, cancer, and heart attacks, when ingredients such as titanium dioxide are present in foods people eat. Titanium dioxide is the same ingredient found in sunscreen, paint, and adhesives. However, the FDA claims this ingredient is safe as an ingredient in food (ChemicalSafetyFacts). 

But, did America really test Titanium Dioxide extensively? 

I believe because of America’s tolerance on food ingredients, they did not test the ingredient thoroughly. In Europe, this ingredient is banned. The test from Europe showed that consumption of Titanium Dioxide causes gut problems, and can even damage DNA, which can potentially lead to cancer (U.S. Right To Know). 

The American government needs to take action to regulate the food being sold to its citizens. America has to stop taking shortcuts and prioritize health over profit. Food is vital for energy in humans. These processed, fake foods are harming citizens and need to be better regulated and replaced.