Foreign Languages and How They Impact Our Children Academically

Recently I spoke to Jean Linn Hussey, Chinese teacher at Mid-Prairie schools and I learned that Chinese is becoming a very popular and necessary subject for our children in order to better prepare themselves for the world ahead.

Kalona Elementary third grader, Joey Gatchel appeared at about this time during the interview and greeted Hussey in Chinese. His fluency and eagerness to greet her were apparent and she responded in kind, complimenting him on his greeting as well. It was obvious that this is one student who enjoys not only Chinese but his teacher too.

During our conversation, Joey shared," Chinese is fun and easy to learn too." Adding that he enjoyed his Chinese class very much he even admitted. "I'm good at it!" with a pride in his voice that spoke volumes. When asked how long he'd like to learn Chinese he stated, "I'd like to learn it all the way through high school. It's fun and I like it!" Joey shared that at the present time they are learning to tell time in Chinese, something that is a bit difficult but fun too.

When asked if the Chinese program would possibly be moved into the middle and high schools, Hussey commented, "I hope they do so. It should be continued so when they go into college, they have it to refer back to and can say 'I know Chinese, it makes it easier to understand and possibly go to China to visit or study. Or if they go into business, they will already have a start, having learned Chinese in their school."

As our world grows and we interact more and more with different cultures, it only makes sense that we rise to the level of many of these countries and teach another language in order to better communicate. Most schools in other countries require or at least offer English as a second language and studies show that more students are taking advantage of this opportunity and are readying themselves for their futures. If other countries are embracing an easier way to communicate, it should be easy for the U.S. and our schools to see and implement the needed educational equivalent within our schools in order to help our students prepare for their adult life.

Ken Stewart, 2006 ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year; AP Spanish teacher at Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina quoted from DUKE GIFTED LETTER: Volume 8, Issue 1, Fall 2007 comments," Every piece of research in the field points to the benefits of starting a second language as early as three years of age. The other key to becoming proficient in another language is a long, continuous contact with the language."

Therese Sullivan Caccavale, president of the National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL) states: "Currently, over 100 public schools in the U.S. have foreign language immersion programs. Research on immersion programs show that when they are properly structured, they can be equally effective for younger and older students in developing oral proficiency and that all immersion students can achieve functional levels of bilingualism."

Stewart continues on to comment, "Certainly immersion programs come the closest to providing students, young or old, with the intensive language experience they need to become proficient. In my opinion, it's the next best thing to study abroad. Not everyone has the means to study or live abroad, but immersion programs can do a lot to bring the language and culture to them. There are some excellent models in place in certain advantaged areas of the country. Every child deserves the chance to become a citizen of the world in such a rich experience.

And Stewarts final sentence "Every child deserves the chance to become a citizen of the world in such a rich experience" seems to say it all when it comes to giving our students a headstart on the world before them.

Studies show without a doubt that second language study give students additional developmental and intellectual challenges they need to be an integral and working part of the world when leaving MP's doors for the real world.

If that means shifting around some curriculum to add more foreign language or seeking additional grants and funding, then so be it feel those who have studied languages. The important part of this equation is the students and however their needs can be meet in a more productive way, in order to face the world better prepared, is worth any additional work any educational institution might have to do to achieve that goal.

Consider Joey Gatchel's comment as he left the room, "I like Chinese, it makes my brain think and it's fun too!" What a better testimonial can you get than a thumbs up from a young learner who obviously sees the benefits even at his young age to learning a new and exciting language?