FIU News – Chrystian Tejedor
“In a globalized, digitized world, new research shows the key to employability and higher earnings hinges on something South Florida residents learned was crucial long ago – being equally fluent in more than one language. “The perception of some across the country is that immigrants are a drain on the economy,” said University of California Los Angeles Professor Patricia Gándara, who was invited to speak at FIU Feb. 10 as part of the College of Education’s Dean’s Speakers Series. “Evidence suggests the exact opposite is true,” she added. “Those who learned English and maintain their native language earn more, have higher status jobs, and it also means they will pay more taxes and not resort to social service programs for support.”…“Bilingual students show ability to focus and see things from different perspectives. Socially, they are more interested in other cultures and are comfortable with diversity. Those are skills that employers are telling us are needed in this economy.””(more)