The Northern Echo – Barry Nelson

“Modern languages have taken a bit of a battering in our schools lately but Pat Howarth, principal of Hummersknott Academy in Darlington argues that acquiring a second language is a great asset in life and can help young people find a good job.”(more)

Language Magazine – Staff Writer

“Last month, the Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education announced the appointment of a new Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Foreign Language Education — Clay Pell…”My message is that foreign language is a critical skill for the 21st century…”"(more)

The Guardian – Rebecca Ratcliffe

“Language lessons will become a compulsory part of the primary curriculum in 2014. While some teachers have already embraced the change, a lack of staff expertise remains a major concern for others.”(more)

The Guardian – Martin Williams

“This week on the Guardian Teacher Network we are focusing on language learning. Every day, we’ll have new pieces exploring topics ranging from changes to the languages curriculum in primary schools to how schools can encourage students to continue with languages beyond key stage 3″(more)

The New Zealand Herald – Virginia Walden Ford and Gloria Romero

“More broadly, it is only a matter of time before China becomes the world’s biggest economy. Yet despite New Zealand’s world-leading free trade agreement with Beijing, it seems other countries may be more awake to the importance of speaking Mandarin as an aid for tapping China’s rapidly growing wealth.”(more)

LivingstonDaily.com – Christopher Behnan

“Hartland High School teacher Pam Iden said the state’s two-credit foreign language requirement is better preparing students for the modern work force and opening their eyes to cultures and ideas outside their community. A proposal in Lansing would end Michigan’s foreign language requirement, however, in hopes of giving students who are not heading to college more vocational options at school.”(more)

BBC News – Jane O’Brien

“Mastering a foreign language can be a frustrating experience and one that gets harder as we age. The younger you start, the easier it seems to be. Now researchers in the US and Sweden have found evidence that we start learning language before we’re even born.”(more)

Onislam – Mona A. Moneim

“Studies have also proven that the earlier a child is exposed to a foreign language the greater the chances are that this child will master both his native and second languages…Even if you missed the opportunity of teaching your child a language before they are ten years old, not to worry; learning a second language is always a plus point at any age.”(more)

The Buffalo News – Karen Robinson

“The local appetite for Mandarin is flourishing, with another four schools to start the program in the fall – bringing Chinese into classrooms from Buffalo to the suburbs and beyond…“It’s preparing our students for the future,” said Silver Creek Elementary Principal Scott Rudnicki. “We want them to be as prepared, and then some, in the global market, and this is one way we can do this.”"(more)

Amber Alert GPS – J.E. Ence

“Today I will discuss an excellent way to improve your child’s cognitive development and academic progression…a second language.”(more)