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Why language?
Reasons Careers Benefits
Reasons
"There are many valid general reasons for Americans to study a world language:
1) a broadening of our cultural and intellectual horizons
2) a better understanding of our own language
3) encouragement for our acceptance of people who are different from us
4) an added practical skill in our functional repertoire, to name only a few". (Tennessee World Language Teacher Association)
"The benefits of effective world language instruction focus on the role of the individual in a multilingual, global society. ... The National Standards for World Language Learning document states: 'To study another language and culture gives one the powerful key to successful communication: knowing how, when and why, to say what to whom. ...Formerly, most teaching in World Language classrooms concentrated on the how (grammar) to say what (vocabulary). While these components of language remain crucial, the current organizing principle for language study is communication, which also highlights the why,the whom, and the when(the sociolinguistic and cultural aspects of language).' The approach to second language instruction found in today's schools is designed to facilitate genuine interaction with others, whether they are on another continent, across town, or within the neighborhood." (Illinois State Board of Education)
Useful Links:
Illinois State Board of Education
Avoid Embarrassing MistakesCareers
The business climate too is changing. We often face our foreign clients through electronic desktops, where the information from e-mail, videoconferencing, corporate chatrooms and web sites is ever current; the delivery often instantaneous. In these circumstances, expectations for a quick turn-around are as high as the stakes. " (Tennessee World Language Teacher Association)
Careers Any job applicant with world language skills will have an edge over the job competition, especially in today's expanding global marketplace. Companies all over the world conduct business with one another. The employee who can speak more than one language is a valuable asset.
Career information links:
Careers in French
Careers in German
What language does for college entrance tests
Research studies clearly indicate that studying another language may give students the "edge"needed to succeed at higher levels in some other subjects. A study of over 17,000 students applying for college admission revealed that "students who had completed a world language course in high school tended to have higher scores on the ACT exams in English and math regardless of their ability level" (Olsen & Brown 1992). It has also been verified that "high school world language students perform significantly better on the SAT verbal exam than non-foreign-language students, and that SAT verbal scores increase successively with each half year of world language study" (National Standards). (Illinois State Board of Education)
Many universities are increasing their requirements for world language study. Schools that
now for certain colleges are:
University of Chicago
University of Illinois
Indiana University
Purdue University
University of Iowa
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Last updated Apr 2008