Better grades in core subjects Better SAT scores Better reading skills Higher self-esteem Better vocabulary Better problem solving skills Better listening skills Better math skills Better memory Better cognitive flexibility

outperform their peers Students who study a second language… do better in core subjects Better grades in core subjects They consistently outperform their peers on standardized tests in core subject areas outperform their peers Studies: Armstrong & Rogers, 1997; Saunders, 1998; Masciantonio, 1977; Rafferty, 1986; Andrade, 1989; Kretschmer & Kretschmer, 1989; Bastian 1980

Students who study another language… do better in core subjects They score over 100 points more in each section (College Board, 2004) Students who study four years of a second language outscore others on verbal and math section of the SAT Source: College Board, 2003

Learning a second language not just academically strong students benefits all students, not just academically strong students

Students who study another language… develop stronger basic skills Studies find that second language learners develop better listening skills and sharper memories than their monolingual peers Better memory better listening skills Better listening skills sharper memories Studies: Lapkin et al, 1990; Ratte, 1968

Students who study another language… do better in core subjects Studying a second language enhances reading and writing in English Better reading skills Studies: Curtain & Dahlberg, 2004; Saville-Troike, 1984

Students who study another language… do better in core subjects Better vocabulary Second language learners consistently score higher in measures of English vocabulary Study: Masciantonio, 1977

Learning a second language improves math skills

Students who study another language… develop abstract thinking skills Many studies show that language learners develop better problem solving skills and cognitive flexibility Better problem solving skills Studies: Bamford & Mizokawa, 1991; Hakuta, 1986; Cummins 1981; Landry, 1973

Students who study another language… do better in core subjects Better math skills Several studies link studying foreign languages with improved spatial abilities leading to better performance in mathematics improved spatial abilities Studies: Diaz, 1983; Saville-Troike, 1984

Students who study another language… do better in core subjects A study in Kansas found students who study a second language surpassed national averages in all subjects, performing especially well in mathematics Study: Eaton, 1994

Students who study another language… develop better basic skills People who are competent in more than one language in tests of verbal and non-verbal intelligence. Better basic skills consistently outscore monolinguals Studies: Bruck, Lambert, Tucker 1974; Hakuta, 1986; Weatherford, 1986

Students who study another language… develop self-confidence Several studies find language students have significantly higher self-esteem and belief in their own abilities than non-language students. Higher self-esteem Studies: Masciantonio, 1977; Saunders 1998; Andrade et al, 1989

Students who study another language… do better in college Students who took 3 years of a second language in high school earn better grades in college & are less likely to drop out Horn & Kojaku, 2001 30% of college students drop out during their first year and only 50% finish a four year degree Study: U.S. News and World Report, 2009

“A pervasive lack of knowledge about foreign cultures and foreign languages threatens the security of the United States” National Security Council, 2007

Students who study another language… do better in core subjects A second language is for everyone A study of 13,200 students in Louisiana found, regardless of race, gender or academic level, children taking foreign language classes did better on the English section of the Louisiana Basic Skills test than those who did not. Study: Dumas, 1999

http://mrpeto. wordpress.com You can download this presentation Bibliography This PowerPoint presentation summarizes portions of a much larger document titled “The benefits of Second Language Study” published by NEA Research (2007) and available online at http://www.ncssfl.org/papers/BenefitsSecondLanguageStudyNEA.pdf Please see the bibliography of that document for many of the sources cited in this presentation. US News and World Report, Dropouts Loom Large for Schools, published online at http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2009/08/19/dropouts-loom-large-for-schools You can download this presentation from my website: http://mrpeto. wordpress.com