Errol Horwitz ("Jansen spits fire, not sense", March 23) implies that a parallel- medium institution accords "equal dignity to both English and Afrikaans as mediums of instruction" because "neither English nor Afrikaans would be thrust upon students". I disagree with this assumption. What about those students whose mother tongue is neither of these? Furthermore, parallel-medium education consumes precious time and resources, requiring lecturers to prepare module guides and class notes or slides as well as present classes in two languages.A parallel-medium policy doubles the lecturing load in an already resource-poor environment.I am aware of the concern that students lacking "fluency" in English may be disadvantaged. But it will disadvantage all students whose second language is English, and that accounts for the majority of students at tertiary institutions.In this regard, it is not an emotional choice of English being a better language than Afrikaans, or any other language - it is practical, since English is the global language.Choosing English as primary medium of education does not exclude the teaching of other secondary languages - but it is a strategic choice.Our consideration should be based solely on which language will best prepare our scholars and graduates to function not only in a national, but also in an international environment. ..