Center for Applied Linguistics 4646 40th Street, NW Washington, DC 20016-1859 202-362-0700 www.cal.

org

What are the benefits of knowing a second language?

In addition to developing a lifelong ability to communicate with people from other countries and backgrounds, other benefits include improved overall school performance and superior problem-solving skills (e.g., Bamford & Mizokawa, 1991; see discussion in Hakuta, 1986). Students of foreign languages tend to score higher on standardized tests. Results from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) show that students who had studied a foreign language for 4 or more years outscored other students on the verbal and math portions of the test (The College Board SAT, 2003). Knowledge of a second language also seems to coincide with high academic achievement. A study by Horn and Kojaku (2001) shows that students who were in rigorous programs in high school, which included 3 years of foreign language study, were likely to earn better grades in college and less likely to drop out. Learning another language can enhance knowledge of English structure and vocabulary (Curtain & Dahlberg, 2004). Students of foreign languages may have better career opportunities (Carreira & Armengol, 2001). In a survey of 581 alumni of The American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, AZ, most respondents said they had gained a competitive advantage from their knowledge of foreign languages and other cultures. They said that not only was language study often a critical factor in hiring decisions and in enhancing their career paths, it also provided personal fulfillment, mental discipline, and cultural enlightenment (Grosse, in press). The benefits to society are many. Americans fluent in other languages improve global communication, enhance our economic competitiveness abroad, and maintain our political and security interests. In recent years, the U.S. government has expressed a need for fluent speakers of languages other than English, particularly in less commonly taught languages such as Arabic and Chinese (U. S. General Accounting Office, 2002).

Why, How, and When

Should My Child Learn a Second Language?

Language and communication are at the heart of the human experience. The United States must educate students who are equipped linguistically and culturally to communicate successfully in a pluralistic American society and abroad. This imperative envisions a future in which ALL students will develop and maintain proficiency in English and at least one other language.
(National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project, 1999, p. 7)

Much attention has been focused on the importance of early foreign language learning. Some research reports that younger children learn languages better than older children and adults. With so many demands already placed on children, parents ask, Is it important that my child learn a second language at a young age? If so, why? What can I do to help my child learn a language? What program options are available?

DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY

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Is younger really better?

Learning a language at any age is beneficial. Some studies have shown that the human brain is more open to linguistic development during the years between birth and pre-adolescence and that children who learn a language before the onset of adolescence are more likely to develop native-like pronunciation (e.g., Strozer, 1994). When children have an early start to a long sequence of language instruction that continues through high school and college, they will be able to achieve levels of fluency that have not been possible in the past due to the late start of most language programs. At the same time, older children and adults can still be successful at learning a second language, although the level of attainment may be less predictable because of factors that can influence language learning. (See, e.g., articles in Mayo, del Pilar, & Lecumberri, 2003.) Any exposure to a second language and culture is beneficial, even if native-like proficiency is not the goal or the outcome. schools, children learn all of their subjects (e.g., math, social studies, science) in the foreign language. Partial immersion programs operate on the same principle, but only a portion of the curriculum is taught in the foreign language. The foreign language is the medium for content instruction rather than the subject of instruction and is used from 50% to 100% of the instructional time. Children in immersion programs work toward full proficiency in the second language and reach higher levels of proficiency than those in other programs (Curtain & Dahlberg, 2004). Exploratory programs introduce students to other cultures and to language as a general concept. Classes meet once or twice a week to explore one or more languages or to learn about language itself (Curtain & Dahlberg, 2004). Although some proficiency may be attained if the program focuses on a specific language, parents should not expect children to attain language fluency. However, these programs can provide a basis and motivation for later learning.

References
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. (1998). ACTFL performance guidelines for K12 learners. Yonkers, NY: Author. Bamford, K.W., & Mizokawa, D.T. (1991). Additive-bilingual (immersion) education: Cognitive and language development. Language Learning, 41, 413-429. Carreira, M., & Armengol, R. (2001). Professional opportunities for heritage language speakers. In J. K. Peyton, D. A. Ranard, & S. McGinnis (Eds.). Heritage languages in America: Preserving a national resource (pp. 109-142). Washington, DC and McHenry, IL: Center for Applied Linguistics and Delta Systems. Curtain, H., & Dahlberg, C.A. (2004). Languages and children: Making the match. New languages for young learners, grades K8. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Grosse, C. (in press). The competitive advantage of foreign language and cultural study. Modern Language Journal. Hakuta, K. (1986). Mirror of language: The debate on bilingualism. New York: Basic Books. Horn, L., & Kojaku, L.K. (2001). High school academic curriculum and the persistence path through college: Persistence and transfer behavior of undergraduates 3 years after entering 4-year institutions (NCES 2001-163). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement. Retrieved September 30, 2003, from http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2002/quarterly/fall/q4-1.asp Mayo, G., del Pilar, M., & Lecumberri, M.L.G., (Eds.) (2003). Age and the acquisition of English as a foreign language. Clevedon, England: Multilingual Matters. National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project (1999). Standards for foreign language learning: Preparing for the 21st century. Yonkers, NY: Author. The SAT College Board. (2003). College-bound seniors: A profile of SAT program test takers. College Entrance Examination

For Further Reading

The following books provide helpful information about the topics discussed. Douglas F. Gilzow & Lucinda Branaman. (2000). Lessons learned: Model early foreign language programs. Washington, DC and McHenry, IL: Center for Applied Linguistics and Delta Systems. Helena Curtain & Carol Ann Dahlberg. (2004). Languages and children: Making the match. New Languages for young learners, grades K8. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Gladys C. Lipton. (2004). Practical handbook to elementary foreign language programs (FLES*): Including FLES, FLEX, and immersion programs. (4th ed.). Kensington, MD: Blueprints for Learning. PO Box 2632, Kensington, MD 20891. Myriam Met, Ed. (1998). Critical issues in early language learning: Building for our childrens future. Glenview, IL: Prentice Hall,

Many resources are available to help parents and teachers establish a second language program. For information about early language programs contact the following organizations: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) 700 South Washington Street, Suite 210 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone 703-894-2900 www.actfl.org Email: [email protected] Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) 4646 40th Street, NW Washington, DC 20016-1859 Phone: 202-362-0700 www.cal.org/earlylang (Web site on early language learning) www.cal.org Email: [email protected] National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL) Mary Lynn Redmond, Executive Secretary PO Box 7266 A2A Tribble Hall Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC 27109 Phone: 336-758-5347 www.nnell.org Email: [email protected]

What options are available?

The types of language programs available in U.S. elementary schools can be placed on a continuum. At one end of the continuum are immersion programs, which offer the greatest amount of time in language study and produce students with the highest levels of proficiency. At the other end are programs that explore language and do not have language proficiency as a goal. The largest number of programs are FLES (foreign language in the elementary school) programs, in which a second language is taught as a distinct subject. ACTFL (1998) recommends that FLES classes be taught three to five times a week for no less than 30-40 minutes per class. Depending on the frequency of the classes and the opportunities for practice, children in these programs may attain substantial proficiency in the language studied. Immersion programs allow children to spend part or all of the school day learning in a foreign language. In full (total) immersion programs, which are available in a limited number of

What can I do to help?

If you live in a community that does not offer a language program, you can still foster your childs interest and aptitude in other languages. If you are able to speak a second language, read or speak to your child in that language. If possible, supply books, videos, and other materials in the language. Attend cultural events that feature music, dance, or food from the country or countries where the language is spoken. Summer programs offering international exchanges and intensive study are suitable for older children and offer valuable opportunities to speak a second language and explore a different culture firsthand. If you would like to help start a language program in your community, speak to the school principal about your interest. Discuss the possibility at a meeting of the schools parent organization to see if other parents share your interest. Contact the teachers, school board, and school district headquarters.

Board. Retrieved October 16, 2003, from http:// www.collegeboard.com

The state of foreign language capabilities in national security and the federal government. Hearing before the International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services Subcommittee of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, 106th Cong. (2000). Strozer, J.R. (1994). Language acquisition after puberty. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press. United States General Accounting Office. (2002, January). Foreign languages: Human capital approach needed to correct staffing and proficiency shortfalls. (GAO-02-375). Washington, DC: Author.

This brochure was prepared with funding from the U. S. Department of Education under contract No. ED-99-CO-0008. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education.