January 15, 2013

Languages in the News

A "Languages for Jobs" Initiative

This policy innovation memorandum, written by Terrence G. Wiley, President, Center for Applied Linguistics, Sarah Catherine Moore, Language Policy Research Network, Center for Applied Linguistics, and Margaret S. Fee, Language Policy Research Network, Center for Applied Linguistics reviews the status of foreign language instruction in the U.S. and provides recommendations for increasing it. With foreign language instruction on the decline, the authors claim the federal government is not making comprehensive efforts to promote the instruction of languages, including German, Hindi, Mandarin Chinese and Portugese. The writers state that the global economy is shifting away from the English-speaking world, claiming that the Chinese economy will surpass the U.S. economy in size soon after 2030. Latin America (Portugese and Spanish speaking) and South Asia (Hindi- and Urdu-speaking) are growing strongly as well.

The widespread use of English as the leading global second language, especially in business, does not offset the disadvantage faced by monolingual Americans. A 2011 survey of more than one hundred executives in large U.S. businesses found foreign nationals have an advantage in competing for international jobs. Three-quarters agreed that language skills made it easier for foreign nationals to work in the United States than for U.S. nationals to work overseas. This leaves Americans at a significant disadvantage at a time when U.S.-based multinational companies are growing faster abroad than at home.

The authors also compare foreign language instruction in the U.S. with other countries. In the U.S., as of 2008, just one in five public school students was studying a foreign language. On the contrary, for the majority of developed countries, foreign language education begins between the ages of five and ten, is mandatory, and is systematically tested along with “core” subjects. While the U.S. federal government fails to address the need for foreign language instruction, 75 percent of Americans believe all students should know a second language and a majority supports foreign language graduation requirements for high school.

The writers encourage the federal government to institute a national “Languages for Jobs” initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Education. Specifically, the authors recommend that foreign language instruction should “be funded at roughly $100 million annually, include accountability measures for foreign language teaching and programs, be characterized by immersion programs that begin at the primary level, and include our heritage language speakers to ensure they maintain their first language.”

Click here to read A “Languages for Jobs” Initiative.

Tips and Tools

Poll Everywhere

Teachers can use this website to poll students by using an open-ended question or a question with multiple choice responses. A computer or cellphone is needed to type or text in responses.

Poll Everywhere is free for audiences of 40 people or less, with upgrade possibilities to receive tagged responses with names. Within the site, visitors can access a blog about the product which focuses on how to use it in the K-12 classroom.

Click here to access Poll Everywhere.

 

 

 

The Lives of Japanese Elementary Students

This site was developed to give children studying Japanese an opportunity to become more familiar with their peers in Japan. It includes information about the elementary school system in Japan, photos, videos, class activities, letters and audio messages.

Click here to access The Lives of Japanese Elementary Students.

Apps for iPads, iPods and iPhones

It’s fun to learn Spanish
This app has carnival themed games to keep Spanish and English learners of all ages entertained. The free lite version allows access to a variety of games that practice colors. Access to the games (e.g. memory, bingo, balloons, and marbles) is unlimited as long as tickets do not run out. Gold coins are earned within each game and then exchanged for more tickets.

The full app can be purchased for $1.99 and includes more vocabulary categories like transportation, animals, numbers, alphabet, shapes, and the farm without the worry of running low on tickets.

Free Flashcards - Flashboard
Flashboard is a free app that allows flashcards to be made easily. Users create a new deck of flashcards using the camera roll, inserting a URL, or importing a Google Docs spreadsheet. Mark flashcards with stars to indicate higher importance or turn a deck into a memory game by clicking the button on the top right. Pre-made free flashcards can be incorporated using Quizlet.com.


 

 

This issue of Newsworthy was compiled by Tammy Dann. Send any comments, questions or information for future issues to her at tdann@nnell.org

Thank you to Akiyo Yokoi, Heather Hendry, Shanon Shreffler, and Andrea Suarez for providing the links and Amy Murphy for the apps used in this issue.

Thank you to Amy Murphy, Kennedy Shultz, Sally Hood, and Veronica Guevara for their work writing summaries.


     

National Network for Early Langage Learning
info@nnell.org