Xavier De La Torre, Ed.D.
County Superintendent of Schools
2. What is the role of language in being globally competent?
The world for which we are preparing our students is qualitatively different from the industrial
world in which our schools were created. It is of critical importance that we educate our students
to thrive and succeed in the 21st Century global society and economy. We must cultivate
students’ understanding of the complex, diverse, and interdependent world in which they will
live out their lives.
Students’ abilities to understand and adapt to the changing world are the foundation for global
competence. According to the document, Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our
Youth to Engage in the World, published by Council of Chief State Schools Officers EdSteps
Initiative and Asia Society Partnership for Global Learning, there are four primary competencies
that can be nurtured and developed through the learning process - investigate the world,
recognize perspectives, communicate ideas, and take action.
Global competence is the capacity and disposition to understand and
act on issues of global significance.(1)
For example, 21st century learners can investigate issues related to water. A possible essential
question could be, “Given the finite amount of water on earth what are issues surrounding the
use, the distribution, the drinkability for today and the future?”
Students can investigate the use of water in their community or a part of the world. They can
compare how different groups of people perceive water use and its distribution. Students will
communicate their ideas with others while finding solutions and communicating their ideas to
authentic audiences. They will need to come up with solutions and take actions to improve the
existing condition.
Each of these competencies can be supported by engaging student learning in interdisciplinary
topics or by emphasizing key curricular areas such as world languages, mathematics, English
language arts, science, social studies, and the arts.
Children who are learning two languages have an advantageous position to becoming globally
competent based on research findings:
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Becoming bilingual has long-term cognitive, cultural, and economic benefits
Bilingual children benefit by acquiring enhanced executive function abilities such as
working memory, inhibitory control, attention to relevant vs. irrelevant task cues, and
mental or cognitive flexibility, as well as improved language skills
Being bilingual enables children to build and strengthen intergroup relationships and
cross cultural understanding because language and culture are interwoven
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(1) Mansilla, V.B. & Jackson, A. (2011). Educating for global competence: Preparing our youth to engage the
world. Council of Chief State School Officers’ EdSteps Initiative & Asia Society Partnership for Global
Learning. Retrieved from http://asiasociety.org/files/book-globalcompetence.pdf
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Xavier De La Torre, Ed.D.
County Superintendent of Schools
Being bilingual enable children to maintain their family and cultural traditions
Being bilingual opens doors to broader career paths and social opportunities
Being bilingual protects individuals from dementia and Alzheimer symptoms
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(1) Mansilla, V.B. & Jackson, A. (2011). Educating for global competence: Preparing our youth to engage the
world. Council of Chief State School Officers’ EdSteps Initiative & Asia Society Partnership for Global
Learning. Retrieved from http://asiasociety.org/files/book-globalcompetence.pdf