Give Them a Reason to Take MORE French

Part ILiberal Arts, STEM, Importance of

French, Advocacy Lessons

Give Them A Reason to Take MORE French!

AATF, July 20, 2014, New Orleans

Margot M. SteinhartBarrington HS, Northwestern University (formerly)

Eileen WalvoordNiles Township HS (Retired)

Randa DuvickValparaiso University

Essential Question for the profession

• How do we sustain our French

program?

o How do we attract new students and

retain them?

o How do we prevent program elimination?

Some answers1. Be attentive to public opinion about liberal

arts and STEM.

2. Have ready answers to support the study of

French.

3. Adapt to your own situation the advocacy

lessons learned by others..

Margot to address these points

Some more answers

4. Be visible and promote French

continuously.

5. Facilitate K-12 and

College/University collaboration

and dissemination of program

information. (Articulation)Eileen and Randa to focus on #4 and #5

Some more answers

6. Cultivate allies within and outside of

the school or institution.

7. Maintain contacts with former

students and collect testimonials.

8. Contact union and/or AAUP (higher ed)

re: procedures.

Referenced by presenters

1. Be attentive to public opinion about

liberal arts and STEM.• Liberal Arts (LAS, liberal arts and sciences)

Literature, languages, art history, music history, philosophy,

history, mathematics, psychology, and science

• Humanities

Same as liberal arts PLUS religion, visual and performing arts,

social sciences, anthropology, area studies, law, and

linguistics

NOT PART OF PROFESSION, VOCATION, OR

TECHNICAL CURRICULA

Concerns about higher education

• “Luxury” vs. practicality

• Need to create jobs in a global

economy

• High tuition costs

• College loan repayment and future

employment and salary

One Viewpoint• Undersecretary of Education Martha

J. Kanter said in a 2010 speech: “The

implication of all this is that liberal

arts colleges provide a boutique, if

charmingly antiquated, education for

the 21st century."

A Different Viewpoint

• Students who follow a career-specific

track tend to lack the skills in critical

thinking, writing, and analysis that

are necessary for success.

“Are we loosing our liberal arts colleges?”

• Frequently quoted article by David W. Breneman (1990)

• His research showed that liberal arts colleges

were evolving into career-oriented

“professional colleges” where students were

majoring in professional fields, e.g.,

business/management, nursing, allied health, computer

sciences, communications, education, and engineering

Number of College Majors — STEM, STEM-related, Non-STEM

STEMScience, Technology, Engineering, Math

• STEM education has been elevated as a

national priority. 

• Growing consensus that the nation’s

future economic prosperity is closely

linked with student success in the STEM

fields .

National emphasis on STEM

• President Obama Announces New Plan to

Create STEM Master Teaching Corps (July

2012)

• Obama Administration Commits $3.1 Billion

to STEM Education (April 2013)

• STEM or science mentioned in State of

Union speeches in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,

2013, 2014

Employment and Salary Advantages of STEM Careers

• Students studying science or math in college have

a higher employment rate and salary than

other majors after graduation.

• STEM - $65,000 average with 1 full-time job vs.

non-STEM - $15,500 less with part-time or multiple

jobs

Department of Education report , based on 2007-2008 graduates after 4 years

Why Engineering?

On the other hand….http://www.csus.gov/

Latest News – July 10, 2014

Census Bureau Reports Majority of STEM College Graduates

Do Not Work in STEM Occupations

74% of those who have a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering & math (STEM) are not employed in STEM Occupations.

Based on 25-64-aged group studiedHealth care considered as non-stem in study

Looking ahead to future jobs

Top STEM jobs by 2020

2. Have answers ready to support the study of French.

Use AATF Resources found on

the French Language

Advocacy Wiki

and

the Advocacy Depot

Are sceptics right when they say ...?

• French isn't useful.• French culture is passé.• Most French speakers also speak

English.• French isn't an economic priority

now.   Mais NON!

“French isn't useful”

" French has no immediate practical value.”

               

 Its immediate value to students includes increasing English vocabulary, raising test scores in English and Math, and expanding understanding of world cultures.

SAT ACTGRE NOT SO!

"French doesn't increase job prospects."       

   

“French isn't useful”

Its job potential includes airlines, government, military, import-export, NGOs, entertainment, sports, travel, and hotel industries, and companies seeking employees with global outlook.

NOT SO!

"French can really only be used overseas.”

      

   

“French isn't useful”

Its use in the USA includes exchange with French speaking Americans (MA/LA), contact with visiting French speakers, and business with Canada, Haiti, other Francophone countries.

NOT SO!

Some quick examples of the types

of information that can be conveyed to

others:

French has a key role in international organizations

• Official language (with English ) of:

– UNESCO; NATO; OEC; International Labor Bureau;

International Olympic Committee; Council of Europe;

European Community; Universal Postal Union (no

English); International Red Cross; Union of International

Associations; Interpol; + 74 others

• Dominant working language of

– European Court of Justice; European Tribunal of First

Instance; European Commission Press Room

French is an official language in many countries

• official language of France and its overseas

territories (DOM-COM)

• official language of 14 other countries:– Bénin; Burkina Faso; Central African Republic; Congo (Democratic

Republic of); Congo (Republic of); Côte d'Ivoire; Gabon; Guinea;

Luxembourg; Mali; Monaco; Niger; Sénégal; Togo

• one of the official languages in:Belgium; Burundi; Cameroon; Canada; Chad; Channel Islands (Guernsey

and Jersey); Comoros; Djibouti; Equatorial Guinea; Haiti; Madagascar;

Rwanda; Seychelles; Switzerland; Vanuatu

French has a key role as 2nd most influential language

• number of people speaking French on 5 continents (220

million)

• amount of trade with the US (import/export)

• political and humanitarian influence

• sixth language for content on the Internet

FROM: Weber - http://www.andaman.org/BOOK/reprints/weber/rep-weber.htm

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Languages_used_on_the_Internet

Mandarin Chinese Most Useful Business Language after English (August 30, 2011)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-30/mandarin-chinese-most-useful-language-after-english-1-.html

Bloomberg Report affirms…

French IS Useful in Business!

The 13 Most Useful* College Majors

(As Determined By Science) • #10 French, German, Latin, and other

Common Foreign Languages

• #1 Nursing, #2-4 Mechanical, Electrical,

Civil Engineering, #5 Computer Science,

#6 Finance, #7 Marketing and Marketing

Research, #8 Mathematics, #9 Accounting

The 13 Most Useful* College Majors (As Determined By Science)

• *Useful, for our purposes, is defined by majors most

likely to lead to less unemployment and higher

earnings, and which are in industries projected to

grow in the next decade according to research from

Georgetown University and data from the Bureau of

Labor Statistics.

• http://newsweek.tumblr.com/post/21784902381/the-13-

most-useful-college-majors-as-determined-by

• Posted on April 25, 2012

The future of French

• As a result of population growth, the OIF*

estimates that the number of French speakers

will rise to over 700 million by 2050, 80% of

whom will be in Africa. This would take the

proportion of French speakers in the world

population from 3% to 8%.

• *Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie• http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy-1/promoting-francophony/the-status-of-

french-in-the-world/

World leaders in trade and agricultural exports

France:

world’s 7th largest exporter, 7th largest importer

world’s 2nd largest exporter of agricultural products (after

US)

exporter of planes, arms, vehicles, pharmaceuticals,

personal and household goods, etc.

Belgium:

mostly trade with Europe (80%)

exporter of diamonds, luxury foods, etc.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

rankorder/2078rank.html

Switzerland:world’s 20th largest exporter and 18th importerexporter of pharmaceuticals, luxury foods, electronicsbanks have 28% of offshore funds

Quebec:world’s top producer of hydro-electricitymajor exporter in aerospace (small planes, engines), transportation (buses), forest products (wood pulp, paper)exporter of food products (e.g., maple syrup)

D. R. Congo: exporter of diamonds, gold, cobalt, copper, coffee, petroleum, wood

World-leading companies in all economic sectors

• France:

world’s top tourist destination

35 of 500 largest companies in world

world’s largest insurance (AXA), cosmetics (L’Oréal), airline

(Air France), cement company (Lafarge), oil and gas

(Total), energy company (GDF-Suez), bank (BNP Paribas)

other: Carrefour (2nd in retail), Sanofi-Aventis

(pharmaceutical), Renault, PSA [Peugeot-Citroën] (cars,

trucks)

• Belgium:Annheuser-Busch InBev, Delhaize group (food and beverage)Dexia, BNB. KBC Group (banking)

 • Switzerland:

Nestlé (foods), Roche Holding, Novartis (pharmaceutical, biotech), Crédit Suisse (banking)

 • Quebec:

Hydro-Québec (energy), Bombardier (aerospace, transportation), Pratt and Whitney, Rolls-Royce Canada (engines), Bank of Montreal

Thought"Foreign language is crucial to our nation's economic

competitiveness and national security. Multilingualism enhances

cognitive and social growth, competitiveness in the global

marketplace (four out of five new jobs in the United States

are created from foreign trade), national security, and

understanding of diverse people and cultures. As we approach a

new century where global communication will be essential for

survival, we cannot afford the luxury of international

ignorance...“

The United States Congress, Foreign Language Assistance Act of

1994

related to Global Economics

French is USEFULto our students

InternationaL in scope & influence

& connected to many personal & career goals

3. Adapt to your own situation the advocacy lessons learned

by others.

How does your community see itself?

Educational, cultural, and economic aspirations

What is your community’s world–view?

How does it see itself in relation to the world?

Why would your community make a decision to

cut French instruction?

What has happened–or will happen–to cause this?

But 1st — QuestionsYou Should Ask Yourself

More QuestionsYou Should Ask Yourself

What are the facts–and the rumors?

Who are the stake–holders?

And what do they risk losing?

Who are the decision–makers?

And what are their priorities?

Who are your allies?

Who can influence the decision-makers?

Park Ridge, IL, Elementary School, #64

50 Parents demanded end of French Program at School Board meeting andwore Adios to French stickers

Case #1

“Adios to French”

Frog gets too

comfortable to

notice danger.

Observations - What happened?

1. Delay in responding to district program review

2. Lack of choice of language (either French only

or Spanish only in 5 elementary schools)

3. Frequent turnover in French teaching staff —

lack of program continuity

4. Strong parent-led anti-French campaign

5. Pro-French effort to overturn board decision

started in summer — too late to rally parents

• Educate school board members,

administrators, and actively involved parents

on the value of French.

• Find ways to actively involve parents in their

children’s French education.

• Create a “buzz” about French by involving

the community in a service project with French

speakers.

Lessons SharedTricia Nagel, District 64

Deerfield, IL, Grade 6 French Classes

CC

Case #2

Promoting French, collectingsignatures of Francophiles, Deerfield Farmers’ Market

Parents advocating for French strategize

Visibility & Momentum

• Web Site, Petition,

List serve (200

people)

• Formation of French

Club of Deerfield

• Meeting, Minutes

• Parents on District

Curriculum Task Force

• Board Meetings

Mailing to District 5th Grade Families befor registration

Letters (kids & parents)ButtonCoupons

Observations — What worked?

1. Parents regularly attending board meetings to

learn of unexpected curriculum changes

2. Parents and students speaking at board

meeting in opposition to program cut (40 -50

supporters)

3. Web site created with information about

French and a petition

4. Parents with tech, communications, and

marketing skills involved

Lessons Shared

1. Promote CHOICE of languages,

not just French

2. Be involved in school, attend board

meetings, volunteer for task forces to keep

informed

3. Communicate (Create an online network,

contact the press, appeal to the court of

public opinion.)

4. Use a petition format whose list serve is

not owned by someone else, e.g,

Change.org. (Use Google)

Wheeling Jesuit University

• University

president

announced end of

French major and

terminal contract

for tenured prof.

Case # 3

Dominique De FilippisFrench Professor

Resources used to thwartelimination of French major

Advocacy Depot

& TBob

Peckham

• “WV Needs French”

• Job announcements in

Pittsburgh and WV area

French Language

Advocacy Wiki

• PowerPoint slides , tailored

from “Top 10 Reasons to

Learn French”

• Articles as handouts, e.g.,

“French is more than…

• Personal Story Video clips

(6)

Resources used to thwartelimination of French major

Sister Mary Helen Kashuba

(President, AATF)

Letter of support

AAUP (American

Association of University

Professors)

Due process procedures not

being followed by WJU

Testimonials from alumni

Email messages to

president by alumni and

colleagues

Anecdotes with local

connections to

French/France

Reasons to Study Frenchon French Language Advocacy Wiki:PowerPoints, Flyers, Brochure, Articles

Tailor Your MessageHelp is on the Wiki

A CASE FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF FRENCH

AT WHEELING JESUIT

•

WJU tailors PowerPoint on Wiki to fit local need

French Video Stories on the Wikihttps://frenchadvocacy.wikispaces.com/

DOWNLOADThese video clips from WIKI

Great resource!

The French ReviewVol. 86, No. 6, May 2013

Le français a-t-il un avenir aux Etats-Unis?

Topics

Service learning

Dual degree programs

Collaboration between high

school and higher ed

teachers

Initiatives taken by the French

Service de coopération et d’action culturelle

Advocacy StrategiesSummary

Identify and contact effective parents & other allies

Articulate reasons

for studying foreign languages

for the importance of French to your community

Match your arguments to your community and

institution

Educational goals, Mission Statement, Strategic Plan

Cultural and economic aspirations

Advocacy StrategiesSummary

Use social networking and media outlets to

harness support

Keep the momentum

In the community

With the advocates

For the students

Get visible and stay visible