Six Arguments
Benefits of Foreign Language Study (FLS)
1. National Security
2. Cross-cultural Competence
3. Economic Competitiveness
4. Multicultural
5. Global Knowledge and Services
6. Comparative Education
National Security Argument
In order to prevent conflict we need to
understand “other” cultures (and languages)
Cultural awareness not just language acquistion
Cross-Cultural Argument
Studying language to help us appreciate the
richness of “our many cultures”
Economic Competitiveness
Argument
Makes students more competitive in a global
market.
Ex. European Union: “mother tongue +2” for
member states
Multicultural Argument
Ability to communicate with people from diverse
linguistic and cultural backgrounds
Global Knowledge and
Services Argument
Increasing globalization requires us to
understand different languages in order to have
access to knowledge, goods, and services.
Comparative Education
Argument
American students fare poorly in studies testing
various skills including world language skills.
Correlation between extended foreign language
study and performance on standardized tests
(i.e. English, math, and social studies)
Challenges to FLS
Budget cuts
Misinterpreting research findings = detrimental
foreign language education policies.
Quick turn-around (i.e. fls policies) makes it
difficult for individuals to participate.
Xenoglossophobia
How to effectively
advocate FLS
Well supplied with research—equipped with
facts—to articulate both sides of argument.
Being part of professional networks in order to
be updated on foreign language policy issues