<div dir="ltr">America’s Foreign Language Crisis<p>“De
qué color era su falda!?” What color was her skirt!? My high school
Spanish teacher would stand us in a line and rapid-fire ask us details
from the story we read for homework. I would memorize each story out of
fear of humiliation. If we got the question wrong, we were shamed and
given a zero on the assignment. Disillusioned by my Spanish language
experience, I studied French in college. With only three 45-minute
classes each week, I graduated as an International Affairs major without
proficiency in any foreign language.</p>
<p>This foreign language learning experience is far too common.</p>
<p>U.S. education policy has failed to prepare Americans for a global
economy and global workforce. We need to increase the number of dual
language immersion programs in elementary schools in order to increase
the number of foreign language speakers. We need to meet the challenges
of a competitive world.</p>
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<p>There is an undeniable deficiency in the number of Americans who can
speak a foreign language. Many Americans perceive that English is widely
spoken worldwide. In reality, <a href="https://www.cfr.org/event/link-between-foreign-languages-and-us-national-security"><span style="text-decoration:underline">less than a quarter</span></a>
of the world speaks English, and a majority are non-native English
speakers. Knowledge of a foreign language is essential to attract
business, engage in foreign trade and diplomacy, and respond to global
humanitarian emergencies. Foreign language skills facilitate meaningful
connections with greater ease and speed. They also improve employability
and international understanding. Ultimately, knowledge of a foreign
language contributes to the economy, to security, and to peace.</p>
<p>Without a national mandate, foreign language study is often only promoted when there is a specific <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/05/filling-americas-language-education-potholes/392876/"><span style="text-decoration:underline">crisis</span></a>, such as in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks or the Cold War.</p>
<p>That’s why we need dual language immersion programs. They are
time-efficient. They incorporate language instruction into preexisting
coursework, so a separate language class is not necessary. They afford
all students the opportunity to become multilingual.</p><div style="text-align:center;width:100%;height:auto;clear:none" class="gmail-google-auto-placed gmail-ap_container"><ins style="display:block;margin:auto;background-color:transparent" class="gmail-adsbygoogle"><ins id="gmail-aswift_4_expand" style="display:inline-table;border-color:currentcolor;border-style:none;border-width:medium;height:173px;margin:0px;padding:0px;width:690px;background-color:transparent"><ins id="gmail-aswift_4_anchor" style="display:block;border-color:currentcolor;border-style:none;border-width:medium;height:173px;margin:0px;padding:0px;width:690px;background-color:transparent"></ins></ins></ins></div>
<p>Early exposure to a foreign language prepares students for success.
Children acquire foreign language skills quickly. They improve their
problem solving and reading skills. They even gain additional
proficiency in their native language.</p>
<p>Most importantly, dual language immersion programs prepare the next
generation to respond to emerging threats, engage internationally, and
build strong partnerships. These programs provide students with a deeper
understanding, appreciation, and tolerance of other cultures and
languages. They contribute to an appreciation for diversity at home and
abroad.</p>
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<p>One of the largest challenges to implementing dual language programs
is the current shortage of qualified language teachers. Over time, dual
language immersion programs will increase the number of foreign language
speakers, thus providing a wider pool of potential teachers to meet
student needs.</p>
<p>English-only proponents fear that dual immersion threatens American
identity. Public awareness campaigns to inform parents of the numerous
benefits of language learning can ease that fear. Parents can also help
to decide which language is taught, so that community needs are met and
understood. We all have a <a href="https://www.americancouncils.org/news/why-dual-language-immersion-approach-will-change-achievement-american-public-schools"><span style="text-decoration:underline">stake in these programs</span></a>.</p><div style="text-align:center;width:100%;height:auto;clear:none" class="gmail-google-auto-placed gmail-ap_container"><ins style="display:block;margin:auto;background-color:transparent" class="gmail-adsbygoogle"><ins id="gmail-aswift_5_expand" style="display:inline-table;border-color:currentcolor;border-style:none;border-width:medium;height:173px;margin:0px;padding:0px;width:690px;background-color:transparent"><ins id="gmail-aswift_5_anchor" style="display:block;border-color:currentcolor;border-style:none;border-width:medium;height:173px;margin:0px;padding:0px;width:690px;background-color:transparent"></ins></ins></ins></div>
<p>Despite lacking foreign language skills, I continued to recognize the
value in language acquisition. I embarked on a fellowship to study
Swahili in Tanzania. I developed a love and passion for Swahili which I
now share with my language students as a volunteer teacher in the
nation’s capital. Language skills and cultural awareness build trust and
understanding. They create opportunity. They contribute to the economy,
to security, and to peace.</p>
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<br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+<br><br> Harold F. Schiffman<br><br>Professor Emeritus of <br> Dravidian Linguistics and Culture <br>Dept. of South Asia Studies <br>University of Pennsylvania<br>Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305<br><br>Phone: (215) 898-7475<br>Fax: (215) 573-2138 <br><br>Email: <a href="mailto:haroldfs@gmail.com" target="_blank">haroldfs@gmail.com</a><br><a href="http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/" target="_blank">http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/</a> <br><br>-------------------------------------------------</div>
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