Educating for Global Competence:
The Value of Multilingualism
Accountability Leadership Institute
December 10, 2013
Angelica Ramsey, Ed.D.
Yee Wan, Ed.D.
Goal
Acknowledge and discuss the value of multilingualism in
the 21st century
3
Why the Toolkit…?
• Promotes and supports
equitable access to high
quality education for all
students
• Values proficiency in
multiple languages as
asset for developing
global competence
4
K-12 Foreign Language Learning
Compulsory
Starting at ages 8-9
5
K-12 Foreign Language Learning
Compulsory
Starting at age 10
6
K-12 Foreign Language Learning
NOT COMPULSORY
7
K-12 Foreign Language Learning
How many of the 24 industrialized countries that participated
in the survey of language study require their students to study
at least one additional language?
Sweden
Iceland
Norway
Canada
Finland
Russia
United Netherland
Ireland Kingdon
Germany
Belgium Austria
France Switzerland
Italy
China
Japan
India
Singapore
Brazil
8
Citizens Comfortable Conversing
in a Second Language
10%
10% native born U.S.
citizens feel comfortable
conversing in a language
other than English
Source: 2010 U.S. Census
54%
54% of Europeans
feel comfortable
conversing in a
second language
Source: European Commission, 2012
9
Percentage of Schools in the U.S.
Offering Foreign Language
100%
90%
80%
Percent age of Schools
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1997
2008
Source: America’s Foreign Language Deficit, Forbes, 2012
The U.S. Secretary of Education Says…
"The fact that our kids don't grow up [bilingual]
puts them at a competitive disadvantage,"
noting that it's common practice in many other
countries for students to learn at least one other
language.
U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan
May 29, 2013
What is global competence?
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21st Century Student Outcomes and
Support Systems
13
Global Competence
The capacity and dispositions to
understand and act on issues of
global significance.
14
Investigate the World
Recognize Perspectives
Global
Competencies
Communicate Ideas
15
Role of Language
in Global Competence
16
Benefits of Second Language Learning
What comes to your mind?
•1
Academic Achievement
•1
Cognitive Flexibility
•1
Language and
Cultural Understanding
•2
Multiple Perspectives
•2
Voices from Stakeholders
Shaping Our Global Future:
The Value of Multilingualism
•2
Video debrief…
•2
Reflection…
What systems do you have in place in
your district to encourage maintenance
of all students’ home languages and/or
to motivate the study of additional
languages?
Opportunities