Students who study a second language…
do better in core subjects
They consistently
outperform their peers
on standardized tests
in core subject areas
Studies: Armstrong & Rogers, 1997; Saunders, 1998;
Masciantonio, 1977; Rafferty, 1986; Andrade, 1989;
Kretschmer & Kretschmer, 1989; Bastian 1980
Students who study another language…
do better in core subjects
Students who study four years of a second language
outscore
others on
verbal and math
section of the SAT
Source:
College Board, 2003
Learning a second language
benefits all students,
not just academically strong students
Students who study another language…
develop stronger basic skills
Studies find that second language learners develop
better listening skills
and
sharper memories
than their monolingual peers
Studies:
Lapkin et al, 1990;
Ratte, 1968
Students who study another language…
do better in core subjects
Studying a second language
enhances reading and
writing in English
Studies:
Curtain & Dahlberg, 2004;
Saville-Troike, 1984
Students who study another language…
do better in core subjects
Second language learners
consistently score higher in
measures of English
vocabulary
Study:
Masciantonio, 1977
Learning a second language
improves
math skills
Students who study another language…
develop abstract thinking skills
Many studies show that
language learners develop
better problem solving skills
and cognitive flexibility
Studies:
Bamford & Mizokawa, 1991; Hakuta, 1986;
Cummins 1981; Landry, 1973
Students who study another language…
do better in core subjects
Several studies link studying
foreign languages with
improved spatial abilities
leading to better performance
in mathematics
Studies:
Diaz, 1983; Saville-Troike, 1984
Students who study another language…
do better in core subjects
A study in Kansas found students who
study a second language surpassed
national averages in all subjects,
performing especially
well in mathematics
Study:
Eaton, 1994
Students who study another language…
develop better basic skills
People who are competent in
more than one language
in tests of verbal and non-verbal
intelligence.
Studies:
Bruck, Lambert, Tucker 1974; Hakuta, 1986;
Weatherford, 1986
Students who study another language…
develop self-confidence
Several studies find language students have
significantly
higher self-esteem
and
belief in their own abilities
than non-language students.
Studies:
Masciantonio, 1977; Saunders 1998;
Andrade et al, 1989
Students who study another language…
do better in college
30% of college students
drop out during their
first year and only 50%
finish a four year degree
Study:
U.S. News and World Report, 2009
“A pervasive lack of
knowledge about foreign
cultures and foreign
languages threatens the
security of the United
States”
National Security Council, 2007
Students who study another language…
do better in core subjects
A study of 13,200 students in Louisiana found,
regardless of race, gender or
academic level, children taking foreign
language classes did better on the
English section of the Louisiana Basic
Skills test than those who did not.
Study:
Dumas, 1999
Bibliography
This PowerPoint presentation
summarizes portions of a much
larger document titled “The
benefits of Second Language
Study” published by NEA
Research (2007) and available
online at
http://www.ncssfl.org/papers/B
enefitsSecondLanguageStudyNE
A.pdf
Please see the bibliography of
that document for many of the
sources cited in this
presentation.
US News and World Report, Dropouts
Loom Large for Schools,
published online at
http://www.usnews.com/educat
ion/articles/2009/08/19/dropou
ts-loom-large-for-schools
You can download
this presentation
from my website:
mrpeto.com