Foreign Language Advocacy Project

By: Patricia WrightIUPUI Spring 2010

Why In The WORLD Should Americans Learn A Foreign

Language?

According to the National Research Council, a lack of knowledge of foreign cultures and languages

threatens the security of the United States.

Speak Up For Languages

How many fluent Arabic Speakers are there in the U. S. Embassy in Iraq?

6

It also affects the ability of the United States to compete in the

global market place.

National Council of State Supervisors for Languages

Studying a foreign language increases job opportunities in many

careers where knowing a foreign language is an asset.

Each year 200,000 Americans lose out

on jobs with business because they do not know

another language.

National Council of State Supervisors for Languages

Four out of five new jobs in the

United States are created from

foreign trade.

Learning a foreign language prepares students for global understanding and living in a

multicultural world. It opens doors to other cultures and helps a child understand and appreciate people

from other countries.

American Council On The Teaching Of Foreign Languages.

There are many academic reasons to

study a foreign language…

Studying a foreign

language can improve

analytical and interpretive skills and therefore

improve grades in other

subjects such as Math and

English.

Learning a foreign

language helps students to compare,

analyze and understand their own culture and language and become more

aware of linguistic structure.

Video : Standards and The Five Cs”

Studies show learning a foreign language can improve entrance exam scores such as the ACT, SAT, GRE and LSAT.

Speak Up For Languages

A number of studies in bilingual education conclude that foreign language study can aid and even accelerate the cognitive development of the brain. Clearinghouse on Languages and

Linguistics

Students can get a head start in language requirements for college.

Study of another language provides essential communication skills and enhances learning through improved cognitive development, transferrable reading skills, reinforcement of other subject areas, cultural literacy, sensitivity and tolerance for diversity.

Speak Up For Languages

By teaching foreign languages in our schools, students are learning to become intellectual, cultured, and well-rounded citizens that can compete on the global business level in a multicultural world.