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Language Educators: Shaping the Future in a New Era!The Michigan World Language Association

2008 Annual ConferenceLansing, Michigan

Marty Abbott, Director of Educationmabbott@actfl.org

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National Security Language Initiative (NSLI)

• Department of Education

• Department of State

• Department of Defense

• Office of the Director of National Intelligence

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Ensuring America’s Place in the Global Economy by Building Capacity in the

SchoolsTestimony by ACTFL President before the Senate

Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management1. Ensure that ALL languages are

supported in our educational system, not just the languages that are deemed critical for today.

2. Encourage and support long sequences of language study.

3. Fund the development of assessments to measure student progress

4. Make foreign languages part of the core curriculum in every school.

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5. Offer assistance to colleges and universities that develop language programs for special purposes and that combine language study with other programs

6. Provide incentives to enhance teacher recruitment and retention.

7. Require intensive training for teachers recruited from abroad.

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8. Encourage continued language learning of our heritage students in both their native language and English

9. Fund research in language learning10.Provide funding for public education

initiatives to change public attitudes toward language learning.

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What skills are in demand? According to top executives in a USA Today poll, the skills most lacking in employees are:

• Foreign Language

• Interpersonal

• Administrative

• Technical

• Management

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What skills are in demand? According to Michael Eskew, CEO of UPS: •Trade literacy• Sensitive to foreign cultures (cultural awareness, sensitivity and diplomacy)• Conversant in different languages• Technology savvy• Capable of managing complexity (being creative)• Ethical behavior – core values

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“To confront the twenty-first century challenges to our economy and national security, our education system must be strengthened to increase the foreign language skills and cultural awareness of our students. America’s continued global leadership will depend on our students’ abilities to interact with the world community both inside and outside our borders.”

Education for Global Leadership: The Importance of International Studies and Foreign Languages for U.S. Economic and National Security

Committee for Economic Development February 2006

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2002 Survey of Large U.S. Corporations

• Nearly 30% of the companies believed that they had failed to exploit fully their international business opportunities

• Forty percent indicated international sales growing more rapidly than domestic

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“In your opinion, is there too little, too much, or the right amount of foreign language instruction in America’s public schools?” (Q.3)

ACTFL Roper Poll 2005Plurality of Americans Agree There Is “Too Little” Foreign Language Instruction In America’s Public Schools Base: Total Americans 18+

57

4440

52

37

45%

Total (n=1,004) 18-24 (n=77) 25-34 (n=141) 35-49 (n=267) 50-64 (n=257) 65+ (n=218)

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75

5549 47

31

50%

Total (n=1,004) 18-24 (n=77) 25-34 (n=141) 35-49 (n=267) 50-64 (n=257) 65+ (n=218)

“In your opinion, is there too little, too much, or the right amount funding for foreign language instruction in America’s public schools?” (Q.3)

Plurality of Americans Agree There Is “Too Little” Funding for Foreign Language Instruction In America’s Public Schools Base: Total Americans 18+

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One in Four Americans Live In a Household With Someone Fluent in More Than One LanguageBase: Total Americans 18+Percent who say one or more people in household are fluent in more than one language:

“How many people living in your household, if any, speak more than one language fluently?” (Q.1)

42

34

2521

11

26%

Total (n=1,004) 18-24 (n=77) 25-34 (n=141) 35-49 (n=267) 50-64 (n=257) 65+ (n=218)

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“About how often would you say you have dealings with a person whose first language is not English? Would you say…” (Q.2)

Half of Americans Have Dealings With a Person Whose First Language Is Not English at Least Once a Week Base: Total Americans 18+

6457

4549

30

48%

Total (n=1,004) 18-24 (n=77) 25-34 (n=141) 35-49 (n=267) 50-64 (n=257) 65+ (n=218)

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STARTALK Student Survey

Over 90% of the students indicated that they wanted to learn languages:– To get a better job– Because they enjoy learning languages– To get along better with people who are different– To learn about other people and places

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NRCCUANational Research Center for College & University Admissions

Foreign Language Student Findings• If given the option, more students in Michigan and

nationally would choose to study French than any other foreign language.

• About 35% of students in Michigan, compared to 40% nationally said studying a foreign language has helped them in their other classes.

• A significant majority (64%) of students in Michigan see the study of foreign language as beneficial for travel, recreation, and enjoyment.

• 25% of students in Michigan and 28% nationally plan to use a foreign language in the business world.

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Foreign Language Students Report They Are Most Interested in Studying

40.6%

38.5%

35.3%

23.9%

18.4%

17.7%

17.7%

10.2%

10.2%

6.3%

4.3%

1.8%

40.5%

33.1%

39.5%

28.1%

16.2%

19.1%

15.5%

9.8%

9.1%

10.1%

3.7%

1.4%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

French

Italian

Spanish

German

Japanese

Chinese

Latin

Russian

Other

Arabic

Korean

Farsi

% Students

% Michigan

% National

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Students Report Anticipated Future Use of Foreign Language

62.7%

28.1%

20.4%

5.8%

1.6%

63.5%

25.4%

21.5%

6.5%

1.9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Use foreign language in travel, recreation and enjoyment

Use foreign language in the business world

Do not plan on using foreign language

Major in a foreign language in college

Plan to teach a foreign language

% Students

% Michigan

% National

Student Question #6 – Which of the following best describe your future use of foreign language?

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Teacher Findings:• 62% of foreign language teachers in Michigan said the

most challenging factor in teaching a foreign language is enrollment issues – oversized or undersized classes.

• 70% of Michigan foreign language teachers indicated they chose to teach the language they currently teach mainly because it was most interesting to them.

• 75% of foreign language teachers in Michigan and 85% across the nation believe their students chose to learn another language because it was required for graduation or necessary for college admission.

• 36% of foreign language teachers in Michigan indicated the need for more information on “best practices” in the language classroom.

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Foreign Language Teachers Report Areas in Need of Support

35.9%32.6%

19.6%

7.7%4.2%

35.5%

27.4%24.2%

9.7%

3.2%0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Info on 'Best Practices'

Professional Development Opportunities

Chances to Network

Other Classroom Management

% T

each

ers

% National % Michigan

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Challenges Foreign Language Teachers are Facing

56.8%

48.4%

43.6%

38.9%

38.8%

34.5%

17.6%

10.8%

61.9%

71.4%

55.6%

41.3%

49.2%

27.0%

31.7%

15.9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Enrollment issues

Insuff icient funding

Inadequate/Outdated technology

Limited professional development

Need better materials

Need more planning time

Need administrative support

Other

% Teachers