“A different language is a different vision of life” -Federico Felini

Unless one understands a culture in its own terms, one cannot be said to have gained an entry into another culture.

English is a very important world language still in the 21st century but it definitely isn’t enough.

6% of the world population only speak English as a first language and 75% don’t speak any English.

Even more importantly, those who go to schools in countries where english is not the first language spend lots of time learning it.

Our young people increasingly have to compete with those from other countries who have at least one language in addition to English.

So, the fact that “everyone knows English” makes it even more important that our young people learn a foreign language.

Other than Global understanding, there are many more perks in the language learning arena.

Language learning develops the skills of memory.

Language learning develops the skills of attention to detail.

Language learning develops the skills of pattern finding.

Language learning develops the skills of creative thinking and reasoning.

It is difficult to imagine any job that wouldn’t require these skills.

And as a bonus, it is easier to learn a third language when one already knows two because all the mentioned skills are transferable!

“Students who averaged 4 or more years of foreign language study scored higher on the verbal section of the SAT than those who studied 4 or more years in another subject.” -College Entrance Examination Board

“The average mathematics score on the SAT for individuals who had taken 4 or more years of foreign language study was identical to the average score of those who had studied 4 years of mathematics.” -College Entrance Examination Board

The integrated curriculum of foreign language education reinforces content from social studies, fine arts, math, science, language arts, and health/PE -Rafferty and Masciantonio

All beginning students have the same opportunity to succeed in foreign language. No history of failures. Everyone is new to the subject.

“One language sets you in a corridor of life “One language sets you in a corridor of life. Two languages open every door along the way.” -Frank Smith

There is Access to a greater number of job possibilities

Some include… CIA/FBI/DEA state department US Armed services Sales

Public relations social services heatlh care police enforcement top management positions

The USA vS. The Rest of the World

18% of Americans can converse in a second language (Forbes). United States 18% of Americans can converse in a second language (Forbes). Most students do not begin studying languages until they are 14 (asiasociety.org). Most high schools only require two years of a language to graduate.

53% of Europeans can converse in a second language. According to Forbes: 53% of Europeans can converse in a second language.

According to Asiasociety.org: 21 of the Top 25 Industrialized Countries begin the study of world languages in grades K-5 21 of 31 countries in Europe require 9 years of a language.

There is one more exceptional benefit.

Did you know that knowing another language even helps with the delay of dementia and alzheimer’s? It is the gift that keeps on giving!!!

“Language is the road map of a culture “Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.” - Rita Mae Brown