Mongol Identity in the Modern World

There have been many debates and discussion around the topic of learning foreign languages at a young age and its influence. The UB Post wrote about its advantages and disadvantages on January 24. Because many readers shared their opinions on this issue, The UB Post explored the issue further with the help of specialist PhD D.

Sainbilegt, professor at the National University of Mongolia and doctor of education.Because many of our readers shared their opinions on this article, The UB Post wanted a specialist's take on the issue.

First of all, could you tell us what it means to be a Mongol?You are right, above all, we need to describe what it is to be a Mongol. While Mongolia is geopolitically located between two big countries and is one part of this globalizing world, there is no doubt that we should be educated, healthy and learned about our language, traditions and history to be a Mongol who lives here.

But also, as part of this globalizing world, a Mongol should learn foreign languages in order be able to study, work and compete both physically and mentally anywhere in this world so that we can make great achievements and promote Mongolia in not only sports and arts fields, but also the intellectual field. People have multi-aspect opinions on this matter considering these two points of view.

Firstly, issues on building addresses and billboards written in foreign languages were mentioned in your article. It relates to urbanization that Ulaanbaatar should consider all type of citizens as it's a big city which has a population of over a million inhabitants.

Secondly, issues on the educational system in Mongolia were mentioned in your article. It is required that we should become a world citizen while being a Mongol.

Therefore, parents are divided into two groups, some of them send their children to private schools letting them learn foreign languages at an early age and broaden their mind with that knowledge even though the tuition is comparatively high, while others find it not necessary. As we see now, there are many private schools with high tuition and many parents who send their children to those schools.

Because there is a demand there's a supply. What do you think about it?I think wanting and trying to help your child to be a well-educated world citizen is a very good thing.

The problem occurs when we don't know or are not able to do it correctly. Of course, there are costly international schools for a certain group of people such as...