Why Should We Teach Foreign Languages?

EMILY LEIBROCKM445

SPRING 2010

Why Should We Teach Foreign Languages?

Learning language aids in brain development.

What part of the brain do you use while learning a language?

BOTH!The left side of your brain is used for

analytical and sequential skills

The right side of the brain is used for process such as: guessing, associating and getting the main idea

Learning language EARLY IN LIFE supports cognitive

development.

Many studies have been done that show how

language learners are more successful in overall learning than those who

do not learn a second language.

Foster, K. M., & Reeves, C. K. (1989). Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) improves cognitive skills. FLES News, 2(3), 4.

A study was conducted in an elementary school that was trying to show that learning a foreign language improves overall learning.

The study consisted on 67 sixth-graders, who were learning French.

They were placed into four different groups and each group participated in different ways.

What were the results? “The students who had received foreign

language instruction scored higher on tasks involving evaluation which is the highest cognitive skill according to Bloom's taxonomy. The linear trend analysis showed that the students who had studied French the longest performed the best.”

Foster, K. M., & Reeves, C. K. (1989). Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) improves cognitive skills. FLES News, 2(3), 4.

Learning Language helps our students to be culturally competent

What is Cultural Competence?

“An understanding of values, behaviors, attitudes, and practices which enable people to work effectively across racial/ethnic and cultural lines.”

defined by: New Mexico State University

Teaching foreign languages support cultural competence

by:Allowing students to get an

understanding of different cultures through classroom instruction

Teaching students the target language in which they will be able to communicate with a diverse group of people

Learning culture in the classroom

One of the biggest issues that we face in today’s society is the lack of understanding between cultures.

By students learning about culture in the classroom, they will be better equipped to work with people of different cultures.

Miscommunications between cultures

Many people do not understand people of different cultures.

This causes a lot of problems in the American society because of the rising population of immigration.

These problems usually are: Different core beliefs Different ways of

communicating Different concepts of

time Different levels of

personal space.

Speaking Another Language…

Enables people to communicate more effectively without frustration or anger.

Can open up many doors! Knowing another language allows many more job opportunities in your community!

Proficiency levels needed in the Work World

Proficiency Level Functions Corresponding Jobs Who has this proficiency?

Intermediate High Create with language, initiate, maintain and bring to a close simple conversations by asking and responding to simple questions.

Aviation personnel, Telephone operator, Receptionist

Graduates with FL degrees who have not lived in target language speaking countries

Intermediate Middle

Tour Guide, Cashier After 6 years of middle/high school, AP

Intermediate Low After 4 years of high school

Novice High Communicate minimally with formulaic and rote utterances, lists, and phrases.

Novice Middle After two years of high school.

Novice Low

http://www.carla.umn.edu/resources/teaching/SpeakUp_MCTLC2007.ppt#310,1,Slide 1

Proficiency levels needed in the Work World

Proficiency Level

Functions Corresponding Jobs Who has this proficiency?

Superior Discuss topics extensively, support opinions and hypothesize. Deal with a linguistically unfamiliar situation.

Interpreter, Accountant, Executive, Lawyer, Judge, Financial Advisor

Educated native speakers; students from abroad after a number of years working in a professional environment.

Advanced High Narrate and describe in past, present and future and deal effectively with an unanticipated complication.

University professor of foreign languages

Students with master’s degrees or doctorates

Advanced Mid Doctors, Sales representative, Social worker

Advanced Low Customer Service, Police officers, teachers

http://www.carla.umn.edu/resources/teaching/SpeakUp_MCTLC2007.ppt#310,1,Slide 1

Learning a language will help our students to be fully prepared for the workplace and in social situations.

Voices from the Community

Why should we learn Spanish or another foreign language?

“Indianapolis, like other cities, is experiencing an increase in immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries, the majority of whom come from Mexico.” IUPUI Mexico Immersion Program

By teaching a foreign language, we will

prepare our students for their future and enable them to be

active members in our community.