News Herald – Juliann Talkington
The widespread use of computers and the Internet means we interact with people from around the world on a regular basis. Foreign nationals now design and produce many of the products we use. Many jobs that were handled almost exclusively by US citizens have moved to parts of the world where workers are highly educated and have lower salary expectations.
As a result, for our kids to succeed, it is imperative that they not only have advanced math, science and language arts skills, but also have a strong understanding of foreign cultures and languages.
With a lagging economy, getting our kids international exposure seems a bit ominous. Fortunately, it is possible to provide children with a great deal of international experience without leaving town.
First, encourage your child to study geography. Not only does this subject help students place countries in a global perspective, but also helps them understand how cultures take shape. It enables them to know how civilizations are born and helps them understand the interaction between nature and the people that inhabit that area.
Expose your child to a foreign language. Foreign language programs vary in structure and outcome. Language immersion programs, where more than 50% of the instruction is in the foreign language, provide the most cognitive benefit, create an environment where students learn to speak the foreign language without an accent and develop a strong appreciation for the nuances of the culture. Foreign language experience programs, classes that meet for an hour or less several times a week, do not to develop language proficiency, but do provide students with some exposure to foreign languages and cultures.
Take your child to foreign music, fine arts and theatrical events. The arts are a wonderful way to bring children a glimpse of what life is like in the other parts of the world.
Require your child to study history. According to the American Historical Association, “history offers a storehouse of information about how people and societies behave.” US and European history is very important. However, it is equally valuable to understand the histories of Asia, the Middle East and Africa, since many jobs now require an appreciation of cultures in those regions.
Consider hosting a foreign exchange student. These temporary family members provide an international experience without the expense of moving or traveling overseas.
If you are resourceful, there are many ways to give your child an international advantage without ever leaving home.