Asia Society – Staff Writer
“There are many practical reasons why students can benefit from learning another language. Neighborhoods grow more diverse, with many languages spoken in vicinities where English once prevailed. Employment is increasingly global in nature, and those who speak more than one language may have greater opportunities than those who do not. Cooperation among nations in trade, policy, and environment is facilitated when participants speak each other’s languages. The simple face of the Internet and the ease with which we exchange information around the world and with speakers of all the world’s languages indicates the practical value of speaking more than one of them ourselves. The reasons to study world languages go beyond the practical, however. Global competence explicitly requires the ability to understand one’s own culture as well as others…In the 21st century, the needs of our language students have changed dramatically. Instead of using language simply as a tool for survival in a foreign land, students must embrace it as a tool for empowerment and collaboration with peers both at home and abroad…To meet these changing needs, our students need a deeper and more nuanced understanding of culture…Through language study, students become resourceful and respond to new situations and cultural contexts with ease. They can cultivate meaningful relationships with others based on shared understanding and mutual respect.”(more)