Benefits of Early Foreign Language Learning

In the 21^st century, communication and problem solving must be done in more than one language. It is necessary to provide quality K-12 foreign language programs for all children in school districts across America. Extensive research supports the benefits of early language learning: better brain development, higher test scores, cultural understanding, national security, and economic prosperity. Consider the rationale for early language learning:

Brain research indicates that children are at an optimal age for language learning. Although language study is beneficial and effective at any age, some studies suggest that the human brain is more open to language learning from birth to preadolescence. Fortunately, researchers have not found an age in which the language window closes completely, especially in the areas of grammar and vocabulary.

Early language learners have the ability to develop native-like pronunciation. While learners of all ages are capable of developing bilingual skills, young learners have an edge when it comes to pronunciation. Children who learn a language before adolescence have the ability to develop native-like pronunciation.

Elementary foreign language programs offer the opportunity to support, re-teach and reinforce content across the curriculum. The 1983 congressional report, "A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform," called for high expectations and a rigorous core curriculum that includes English, science, math, social studies, as well as foreign languages. Twenty-five years later, our schools continue to grapple with the same challenge of delivering a rigorous curriculum. We are still a nation at risk. Content-based foreign language instruction not only addresses the call for foreign language education, but it uses foreign languages as the vehicle for teaching subject content. American students will be able to benefit from learning a language, and they will also receive additional review and reinforcement in other subject areas.

Elementary language programs allow for long sequences of foreign language study, resulting in higher SAT, ACT, and AP scores. The College Entrance Examination Board consistently reports that students who study languages score higher on both the verbal and math portions of the SAT. The more years of language study, the greater the results. Likewise, students who study a foreign language achieve higher reading and math scores on the ACT. AP French, German, and Spanish exam survey data also indicates a strong connection between a long sequence of language learning and higher AP scores.

The United States has a critical national security need for proficient, bilingual speakers. Especially in the post 9/11 world, our nation's security and prosperity are strengthened when we have the ability to communicate and encourage reform, respect, and cultural understanding worldwide. The National Virtual Translation Center reports that only 9% of Americans can speak their native language and another fluently, versus 53% of Europeans. Yet, only 44% of high school students study a foreign language. This deficiency compromises U.S. security interests.

Bilingualism offers career opportunities to individuals and is crucial to U.S. economic success. Knowing another language will be a vital skill to graduates as they enter the work force. Many U.S. jobs are directly tied to international trade and most of the future growth will most likely be in overseas markets. Not only will graduates with these necessary linguistic skills be in high demand, but they will also help insure our economic success in a global economy.

Languages help children develop cultural understanding to live in a multi-lingual society. There is no denying the fact that we live in a pluralistic society and a global community. According to the National Virtual Translation Center, we are far from a being monolingual country. There are, in fact, 311 different languages spoken in the U.S. A language other than English is spoken in 14 million U.S. homes, and one fifth of the population over the age of 5 speaks a language other than English. English-only households account for just 82.1% of the population. Cultural understanding is a vital skill children will need throughout their lifetimes.

If it's true that everything we need to know we learn in kindergarten, then that is when we must start teaching world languages and cultures to our children. It's crucial for delivering the best possible education to American students.