FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING

Megan Knott and Amy Peabody

As future teachers, we believe that it is not only rewarding, but essential to learn a foreign language. As future Spanish teachers, we believe that learning the Spanish language can help you grow as an individual, as well as culturally and in the professional world.

WHY SHOULD YOU LEARN SPANISH? WHY SHOULD WE KEEP SPANISH IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS?
According to the Center for Applied Linguistics Only 31 percent of American elementary schools report teaching foreign languages Only 44 percent of high schools and 8 percent of undergraduates are enrolled in a second language.
According to Dr. Reimer of Harvard University, "Schools have been emptied of their civic purposethis is preventing children from developing a purpose bigger than themselves. That doesn't serve the nation well.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO START FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS?

The younger a person is, the more flexible his or her mind is and the more readily it can grasp another language If a child focuses on a different language at a very young age, they will be able to develop pronunciation skills that are similar to those that speak the language in a native manner Children that are able to focus on a second language have an increased level of cognitive development

STUDYING A SECOND LANGUAGE IS ONE OF THE MOST STIMULATING THINGS FOR THE MIND TO STUDY

According to researchers from University College of London believe that Learning a second language boosts brain-power

LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IS PROVEN TO INCREASE STANDARDIZED TESTS SCORES

According to CollegeBoard, Students who completed at least four years of foreign-language study scored more than 100 points higher on each section of the SAT than students who took a half year or less

Research done by the World Language Education Society shows that there is a correlation between:
bilingual proficiency with higher scores on standardized tests and tests of both verbal and nonverbal intelligence

LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROMOTES CULTURAL AWARENESS

Improves knowledge of

World geography History International cultures Art Music Products Perspectives Practices

According to the staff at Hands On Spanish, People who speak a second language have a whole different perspective of the world and how cultures interact. This open-minded awareness results in a clearer global picture and in sharpened thought processes.

LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE HELPS ONES UNDERSTANDING OF HIS OR HER OWN NATIVE LANGUAGE IMPROVE

Increases critical thinking skills Improves ones analytic and research capacities

seeing the commonalities between the two languages will help make more sense of the native language grammar instruction is an integral part of learning a foreign language, this will supply an excellent review for the native

LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE CAN HELP YOUR CAREER PATH AS WELL AS MAKE YOU MORE MARKETABLE

Knowledge of a foreign language is the fastest growing priority of employers Three or more years looks exceptional on a resume

Not only shows dedication but the structure of our now growing global economy places people who know a foreign language ahead in the job market

According to the United States General Accounting Office, In recent years, the U.S. government has expressed a need for fluent speakers of languages other than English, particularly in less commonly taught languages such as Spanish, Arabic and Chinese.

LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE CAN LEAD TO HEALTH BENEFITS

According to Dr. Andrew Weil, learning a foreign language can reduce the risks of getting some of the most common age-related symptoms and diseases such as memory loss and Alzheimer's.

LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IS BENEFICIAL FOR TRAVEL AND COMMUNICATION

You will be able to

Immerse

yourself into the culture of the

country Communicate with the natives Have more fun, complete your travel experience

5 CS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION

COMMUNICATION
1) Interpersonal Communication

Dialogue, negotiation and conversation will be most emphasized in our classroom

Different techniques and strategies to present information to class Reading and writing after certain are grasped by student

2) Presentational Communication

3) Interpretive Communication

CULTURE

Practices

Explore social interactions,

For

example: Skype conversations with students in Spanish countries

Perspectives

Exploring emotions, accents, dialects, feelings, attitudes and meaning Exploring food, festivals, videos, music, art, plays, history of the Spanish/Latin culture

Products

CONNECTIONS
Knowledge
Students
For

relate and grow as learners through Spanish culture and language.

example: Knowing similarities and differences, predictions, reinforcing their knowledge

Point of View
Students

identify specific topics, claims, and objects that can only be perceived through the Spanish language and culture.
For

example: Bull fighting in Spain corrida de toros

COMPARISONS

Linguistic Comparisons
A

comparison of the Spanish language versus English language

For

example: Number/Gender agreement does not exist in English but is heavily influenced in Spanish

Cultural Comparisons
A

comparison of the Spanish/Latino culture versus the American culture

For

example: personal space

COMMUNITIES

Use of language

Students use the Spanish language outside of their elementary classroom

For

example: Spanish restaurant, stories at students home

Enjoyment and life long learning

Students use language for own enjoyment and have a willingness to continue to learn.
For

example: participating in extra curricular activities not required