Abolishing Monolinguism The Importance of Leaning Another Language

Abolishing Monolinguism

The Importance of Leaning Another Language

“The Sum of human wisdom is not contained in any one language.”

Unknown

English The Official Language of the United States??

What do you think?Is it important to learn another language?Why are we afraid of becoming bilingual?Spanish is here to stay

Find Out How Much You Know

A little quiz

1. English became the official language of the Unites States by:

a) A Constitutional provision drafted by the Founding Fathersb) A Supreme Court Decisionc) A bill signed into law by President Reagand) English is not the official language of the United States

1. English became the official language of the Unites States by:

D

English is not the official language of the United States

2. How many states offer driver’s license exams in languages other than English?

A) 4B) 14C) 24D) 44

2. How many states offer driver’s license exams in languages other than English?

D

44

3. Under existing federal law, it is legal for state and local governments to declare Spanish their only official language?A) TrueB) False

3. Under existing federal law, it is legal for state and local governments to declare Spanish their only official language? A

True

4. Endorsing legislation known as “English Plus” would:

A) Encourage people to learn more than one languageB) Prevent English from becoming the official language of the United StatesC) Foster understanding between people of different ethnic groupsD) None of the above

4. Endorsing legislation known as “English Plus” would:

B

Prevent English from becoming the official language of the United States

5. Approximately what percentage of immigrants support laws to make English the official language of the United States?

A) 20%B) 33%C) 55%D) 70%

5. Approximately what percentage of immigrants support laws to make English the official language of the United States? D

70%

6. Which of the following countries have an official language?A) IsraelB) FranceC) MexicoD) All of the above

6. Which of the following countries have an official language?

D

All of the above

More than two-thirds of the Web Pages are in English

A) TrueB) False

More than two-thirds of the Web Pages are in English

A

True

8. In order to become a U.S. citizen, an applicant must:

A) Demonstrate an ability to speak EnglishB) Participate in a swearing-in ceremony conducted in EnglishC) Have paperwork in orderD) All of the Above

8. In order to become a U.S. citizen, an applicant must:

D

All of the Above

Foreign Languages Are Important Because…

Can improve SAT and ACT scoresImprove analytic & interpretive capacityCan lead to future job promotionsHelp in understanding other culturesIt will improve your EnglishHelps develop greater listening & Retention skills

Foreign Languages Are Important Because...

Help language skillsCreate positive attitude towards:

Other LanguagesOther Cultures

Increase self-esteem

Why Learn …

GERMANThe largest,wealthiest nation in EU, 3rd in GNP

JAPANESEMajor trading partner

LATINBuilds strong vocabulary and language skills

What Are We Afraid of? El Cenizo

1999 El Cenizo a Texas town adopted Spanish as the official language.Many people were upset at this monolingual attitudeWhy the double standard?

Why Is Spanish a Detriment?

Is it wrong to speak to your child in Spanish?According to a Texas court it isMother found guilty

What do you think?

“…It’s eminently fair that a country’s official language should be the language of the majority.”

Ayn Rand

Why Spanish Is Important

250 million native speakersIn 20 years, 1/6 people will be Hispanic300 million people speak itTravel

Large business market$220.2 Billion in purchasing power

Why Spanish Is Important

NAFTA3rd most spoken language in the world

After Chinese & English

2nd in the world when:Only native speakers are counted

Did you know?

27 states have an “English Only” policyMichigan is not one of themHawaii is officially Bilingual“English Only” has been declared Unconstitutional in two states.

So What Is “English Only?”

Can establish English as the official languageLimits government assistanceRestriction of bilingual educationForbid non-English government services

Courtroom translationEmergency phone services

The World Is Shrinking

“… Economy and technology are fast creating an interdependent global village. Fluency in more than one language will be necessary for the average person wishing to maximize his/her potential.”

Globalization

“Attitudes towards monolingual have no place in a global society.”The world is getting smaller everydayBig businesses work closely w/other countriesWe can’t be left behind

Is It Too Late?

It’s never too late in life to learn a new skill For many, Spanish is a language with the most rewards and least effort

What Does It Take To Be Successful

Rigorous Teacher EducationEffective StrategiesStrong PolicyAssessmentMaintenance of:

HeritageRegionalIndigenous Languages

What Does The U.S. Need To Do?

Start earlyLearn from othersResearchImprove teacher educationAssessmentDesignate foreign language as a core subject

Final Thoughts

We need to stop having teachers defend foreign languagesHelp our children learn the importance of language at a young ageLearn from other countries

“Language is not merely the conjunction of grammar and vocabulary but also communication and better understanding among individuals and nations. No longer can we afford to live isolated in a monolingual society that is forever inward-looking. Great challenges lie beyond our shores, worlds to discover and know. Languages are the golden key to unlock these vistas.”

WORKS CITEDHilt, Douglass. “Foreign Language Learning: Why Bother?”

ADFL Bulletin #14, (September 1982) pg. 5-7.

Pufahl, Ingrid and Nancy C. Rhodes, Donna Christian. “Foreign Language Teaching, What the United States Can Learn From Other Countries,” Website, December 2002. www.cal.org/ericcll/digest/0106pufahl.html

Unknown. “Why Learn Spanish, Spanish for Beginners,” Website, 2002. http://spanish.about.com/library/beginning/nbl-beg-intro-why.htm.

Vassen, Robert. Professor and Assistant Director of English Language Center, Michigan State University. Oral Interview, June 5,2003.