This week's letters respond to a question about whether there should be more emphasis on teaching foreign languages in the public school system and to a continuing debate over the treatment of Lyme disease.

Expose early

I firmly believe alternative languages should be offered in all schools throughout the commonwealth. We no longer live in an isolated environment, and if our children are to be able to compete on a global basis, and increasingly even within our own borders, they need exposure to languages of other cultures. I don't agree with mandatory studies but I do think early exposure should be required with more intense formal studies as an option. Our grandson has been exposed to three or four languages in his primary school. Granted, this is a private school, but I believe it is a very valuable part of his education. He will have the option to continue in the higher grades. I also don't think this should be a cost passed on to only those who choose to take these courses. . . . If we were to start this procedure, then the argument would be that everything should be menu driven and why shouldn't those who want to play sports pay for the cost of those extra activities?

Michael Allen

Malvern

Teach languages

In response to the teaching of languages, I am appalled that the question would even be there. Of course you teach languages in the schools. Giving students more reading, writing, math and science time in addition to what they have does not make for better scores. It is the interconnectedness of subjects that strengthens the intellect, therefore scores. We all know that a strong music program improves math. World language programs strengthen math application and English grammar. We could continue with the strengths provided by art, health, physical education, family and consumer science, etc...

I have to laugh that money is the issue. Everything, remember, has its price when cut. All subjects are important for our students. But then again, I see the importance of teaching the whole child.

Peter M. DiMaio

Thorndale

It would be loss

It would be a shame for high schools to drop their foreign language study requirements.

My family is bilingual. Both my husband and I have benefited from the enriching experience of living abroad. We purchased a home in the Great Valley School District in part because the district teaches Spanish to elementary students. We know firsthand that speaking a foreign language adds an extra dimension to a child's education and that the earlier they start, the easier it is to learn.

We were dismayed when Great Valley reduced the elementary Spanish program from two classes per six-day cycle to one, to make way for more hours devoted to PSSA-tested subjects. Having a language class once every six days makes it into a game rather than an academic subject. It would be even more upsetting if elementary school language were eliminated, yet I cannot imagine what would become of our children were they not required to take a language in high school!

America is part of a global community. Learning a language is a key to understanding other cultures and should be part of a basic education, not something available only to students who can pay for private classes.

Samantha Jouin

Malvern

More emphasis

There should definitely be more emphasis on languages in the schools. As a high school student in Philadelphia, I studied Spanish. After teaching in the city for 10 years (at a time when teachers were told not to permit students to speak Spanish in school at all), I went to Europe. There, I realized learning a language was truly an asset. Although teaching American students in U.S. government schools, I felt that learning the language of my host country was very important. I took courses and eventually became fluent in the language.

We live in a global society, and students should be encouraged to learn as many languages as possible. If engaged in commerce, speaking the language of a country in which you are doing business will undoubtedly be a valuable asset. We must stop expecting everyone to speak our language while not trying to learn even basic greetings in the language of others. The cost of providing competent language teachers is minimal if we can produce graduating seniors who are prepared to work in a global economy.

A. Heuer

Kennett Square

Lyme approach

In response to Dr. Richard Fried's letter regarding Lyme wars:

It is apparent that Dr. Fried has a holistic background, and is indeed open to unconventional medical approaches for various conditions. However, he scoffs at the "Lyme literate" approach to treating Lyme disease.

In addition, he questions the quality of research that supports long-term antibiotic treatment for chronic Lyme patients, and he asserts that "Lyme literate" doctors have a biased perspective. These challenges are essential to promoting growth in all professional areas, in particular our medical fields. At the same point, it is the Hippocratic duty of medical doctors to "do no harm" to their patients.

When patients suffer from a debilitating condition such as chronic Lyme disease, is it right to allow these patients to spiral downward and not provide a treatment that does have research support even though it may have flaws?

As a patient with chronic Lyme, I have been debilitated and my life as been put on hold because of my lack of health, and I personally need hope and the opportunity to improve my condition. I am aware of thousands of others who have experienced similar suffering and have improved as a result of long-term antibiotic treatment. The side effects of antibiotic treatment according to my understanding and various doctors pale in comparison to the debilitating condition of chronic Lyme. The long-term antibiotic treatment that I have received has made a difference in my life as I am begging to restore more normalcy and, most importantly, hope.

I respect Dr. Fried in regard to his professional knowledge and his concerns regarding the use of long-term antibiotic use. However, chronic Lyme needs attention from the medical community, and the medical community needs to examine biases from all sides. And in the meantime, I will continue to live my life, on antibiotics.

Sally Stees

Atglen