Portland State Vanguard – SEBASTIAN RICHARDSON
“Sadly the United States has a big problem when it comes to learning other languages. Only one quarter of Americans claim they are able to speak a second language well enough to hold a conversation, according to a Gallup poll. Roughly 30 percent of Americans do not consider learning a foreign language important…At first glance, this information may not seem that troubling. After all, most of us don’t have the opportunity to use a language other than English in our daily lives. However, when you compare the United States to Europe, our foreign language shortfall becomes very obvious…In Europe, 73 percent of primary school students and 90% of secondary school students are studying English. In these countries most foreign language study starts before children turn 11 and begin as early as three years of age…American students are missing the opportunity to learn foreign languages during a time when they are best able to learn. Knowing a second language has more to offer outside the sphere of career and travel and even has a lot of lifelong benefits. Research compiled by the American Council on The Teaching of Foreign Languages shows the benefits to knowing more than one language transcend mere cultural competency and have significant impacts on brain function.”(more)