The value of foreign language education

The Value of Foreign
Language Education


Foreign Language Benefits:
• Our World
• Our Nation
• Our State
• Our Community
• Our Students


Foreign Language Benefits Our
World
• Understanding other cultures leads to
respecting other cultures.
• The global economy can prosper through
mutually beneficial trade.


Foreign Language Benefits Our
Nation
• Foreign language study is vital to the
future economic welfare of the United
States in a growing international economy.
• A shortfall of experts in foreign languages
has seriously hampered information
gathering and analysis within the
American intelligence community.

Foreign Language Benefits Our
State
• To help Vermont companies grow in a
global marketplace they need employees
who understand and can operate in other
cultures.
• Having a populace with foreign language
expertise will help Vermont companies to
grow in Vermont and will attract
companies to our state.


Foreign Language Benefits Our
Community
• Schools with foreign language have higher
test scores.
• Communities with strong public schools
have higher property values.
• A foreign language program in our school
will involve the whole community in
learning about other cultures.


Foreign Language Benefits Our
Students
•

Has a positive effect on intellectual growth.

•

Enriches and enhances a child's mental development.

•

Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to
language, and a better ear for listening.

•

Improves a child's understanding of his/her native language.

•

Gives a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise
not have the chance to know.

•

Opens the door to other cultures and helps a child understand and
appreciate people from other countries.

•

Gives a student a head start in language requirements for college.

•

Increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing another

Having a populace with knowledge
of foreign languages is vital for:
•

Our Economy
– Understanding and being able to interact with U.S. and Vermont trading
partners establishes a solid foundation for successful economic
relationships;

•

Job Opportunities
– American multinational corporations and nongovernmental
organizations need people with foreign language abilities and cultural
exposure.

•

Our Security
– People with foreign language expertise are needed to work on national
security and foreign policy issues


What would a Foreign Language
Program look like?
• One elementary school in CESU has
Foreign Language instruction
• Two 20 minute blocks a week could be
dedicated to Foreign language

• Vermont and National Standards for
Foreign Language instruction exist.


How much would it cost?
• Estimates range around $16,000 for JES
• Cost to JES taxpayers would be around a
penny on the tax rate.


How would we fit it in the school
day?
• Options include providing a foreign
language instructor with responsive
classroom training and conducting the
responsive classroom section of the
school day in a foreign language twice or
three times a week.


What steps are needed to make it
happen?
• Conversation with teachers, staff, parents
and community members must occur.
• A positive vote by the community to
include foreign language instruction must
occur.
• Hiring of a part time foreign language
teacher must occur.

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