Albany: New language program will give students edge

[Harold Schiffman]

New language program will give students edge


First published: Friday, February 8, 2008

Congratulations to the forward-looking committee that recommended to
the Saratoga Springs Board of Education that the district adopt a
foreign language program starting at the kindergarten level (Times
Union, Jan. 22).  It has long been known that the early years are the
best for starting language learning. It is equally true that starting
the study of languages during adolescence is far less productive,
although school language policy planning often fails to take this into
consideration. It is heartening to know that Saratoga has decided to
give its children the edge in our globally competitive world where
language matters.

At the other end of the spectrum, the University at Albany continues
to enlarge language learning opportunities and has most recently added
Arabic to the more than 15 languages it offers. Moreover, the Center
for Languages and International Communication (CLIC) recently received
funding to ensure language acquisition through technology. Now,
tele-collaborative projects with universities from other countries
enable UAlbany students to chat in real time with foreign
language-speaking counterparts, bringing the world to Albany's
doorstep and enhancing the university's internationalization
expectations.

ELOISE A. BRIERE

Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

University at Albany
ebriere at albany.edu
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=662099&category=OPINION&newsdate=2/8/2008


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