My business travels abroad have taken me to many cities in Asia, Europe, Australia and even South Africa. With each trip I always felt inadequate with my inability to speak a second or even third language. It is very common for Europeans, for example, to speak excellent English, as well as a third language. They are amazed that this is not typically the case with Americans.

My family and I reside next door to a couple from Japan. (They are here temporarily for job reasons.) While they apologize to us for their "poor" command of the English language, we are impressed with the skill they exhibit and the constant interest to improve.

I must echo the thoughts and concerns of Jayne Brescia in her recent letter to the editor ("Expand Our Foreign Language Program" 2/2/06). We cannot remain competitive in today's global market/economy if we persist in limiting the foreign language program we offer our children. We may have been able to "get by" in the past, but this cannot continue. Surely the investment made now, will have untold benefits in the not so distant future.

I do know other school districts offer a more varied foreign language program. My nephew studied Japanese during his high school years, graduated from Boston University and landed a job with Microsoft. I truly believe his study of that language helped set him apart from other candidates. Not only does a student learn a new language, but they also learn to embrace other cultures, which only adds to the educational experience and enables them to see the world in a different light.

Thank you, Tower Foundation, for your efforts to raise the funds needed to create an expanded foreign language program in our secondary school. You can count on our donation.

Robert Tomei