some compelling reasons for studying another language a subjective viewpoint by a language teacher,...
TRANSCRIPT
Some Compelling Reasons For Studying Another
Language
A Subjective Viewpoint by a Language Teacher, Backed by Objective Data –
NOW YOU DECIDE!
English-only speakers will find themselves at a disadvantage as businesses enter global markets.
Even workers who intend to never leave their hometowns will probably be in touch with people from other countries.
Thanks to improved communication technology, U.S. businesses…
Teotitlan, Mexico
…are dealing with…
… international suppliers, …
Paris
Paris
… customers…
Paris
Versace, Milan
… and colleagues.
The tremendous increase in the Latino American population has changed the way business is conducted...
With so many Latino-Americans speaking Spanish in the US,…
Chartreuse Cellars, Grenoble, France
… even basic service jobs…
… will require …
… some bi-lingual…
…ability…
Chocolatier, Paris
“If you don’t speak Spanish in the southern part of the U.S., …
La Muralla, Puerto Rico
…you’re basically not marketable in the tourist trade.”- Fariborz Ghadar, Center for Global Business Studies, Penn State University
Alicante, Spain
About one in five U.S. residents speaks a language other than English in the home. – U.S. Census Bureau
The number of Spanish speakers in the U.S. rose 62% in the 1990s, to 28.1 million in 2000 from 17.3 million in
1990.- U.S. Census Bureau
Every American should develop proficiency not only in English, but in other languages as well. - ACTFL
Vicuñas in Chile
For those students who want to be best prepared for life beyond the classroom,…
… there will be increasing numbers of career opportunities that are enhanced by
proficiency in multiple languages.
Across the U.S., more than 500,000 elementary and over 7 million secondary students are enrolled in foreign
language courses. - ACTFL
Students at rest outside Notre Dame, Paris
Additionally, nearly 1.4 million students at American colleges and universities include language education in
their schedules. - ACTFL
The Louvre, Paris
“Our goal at the college level should be to encourage students to continue the study of languages…
The Plaza Mayor, Madrid
“…they began as K-12 students so that they may achieve or maintain high levels of proficiency. - Dr. Audrey Heining-Boynton
German Knight 1512
“Studying other languages has been shown to contribute to increased cognitive skills, …
Cervantes Memorial, Madrid
“…better academic performance …”
Prado Museum, Madrid
“…and a greater understanding of others, …”
Vigil, San Sebastian, Spain
”…while also providing life-long learning opportunities for people beyond school age.” ACTFL
Grenoble, France
The world's ten most influential languages:
After weighing six factors (number of primary speakers, number of secondary speakers, number and population of countries where used, number of major fields using the language internationally, economic power of countries using the languages, and socio-literary prestige), (number of points given in parentheses)
1. English (37) 2. French (23) 3. Spanish (20) 4. Russian (16) 5. Arabic (14) 6. Chinese (13) 7. German (12) 8. Japanese (10) 9. Portuguese (10) 10. Hindi/Urdu (9)
George Weber’s article “The World’s 10 Most Influential Languages” in Language Today (Vol. 2, Dec 1997)
Standardized test studies indicate that students
who have concentrated on foreign language studies generally are among the
highest performers in other subject areas.
-ACTFL
” Studying languages …”
Tántawawas Masks, Bolivia
… exposes us…
Paris in Spring
… to more…
Madonna and Child - Donatello
Diana
… than just language –
Michelangelo, Louvre
“…we learn…
Museé de le Gran Chartreuse
… about the cultures…
Corrida de Toros, Madrid
San Fermin Jolly Giants in Parade
… and societies…
Marianne, France
…of the native speakers…”
“…and we are exposed…
The Eiffel Tower, Paris
…to their literature…
Art sellers on the Seine
…as it was created.” - ACTFL
Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico
Gaining language proficiency…
…can be a stimulating, rewarding activity…
Oaxaca, Mexico
…for the adult who’s been away from the classroom for many years. - ACTFL
“The mental discipline…
Walled City, Toledo, Spain
Barcelona, Spain
…that is required …
”…and…
Monte Alban sculpture
The Prado Museum, Madrid
…the resulting…
Cathedral, Toledo, Spain
…cultural exposure …
Cathedral of Holy Family
Notre Dame de Paris
Arch of Triumph, Paris
…are…
Paris at Night from the Arch of Triumph
Notre Dame from the Seine, Paris
…life-enhancing…
…experiences.”- ACTFL
Artist’s stalls, Montmarte, Paris
Cathedral, Barcelona
Fluency in other languages enhances a career resume.
Businesses need people who can communicate with global clients in many languages.
Eurail Station, Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris
The increasing cohesiveness of the European Union enhances opportunities for international trade.
In the 21st century, multilingual international business people will be in a lucrative position…
…to communicate with clients around the world.
Students of language gain special insights…
…that come from intense language study …
… an understanding…
Princess Eugenie’s Jewels
…of the wealth…
Tiara of Duchess of Algomaine
El Álcazar, Toledo
…of the history…
… of the cultures, …
House of Commons, London
Cathedral, Barcelona
…of the architecture…
…of the art…
Nature morte á la tete de mouton –Francisco de Goya
Sacre Couer, Montmartre
…the religions,…
San Sebastian - DellaRobbia
… the social customs …
El barrio español, Madrid
National Court, Barcelona
…the legal systems,…
Baroque Fountain, Barcelona
…the arquitecture,…
…and the language subtleties that explain the difference…
…between what a person says and what they mean. - ACTFL
Les Deaux Magots, Paris
Expand your world; Learn a new language.
Toledo,Spain
The End
[For Lifelong Language Learners It’s Never]
The photography used in this production represents an ongoing, lifelong love affair with
world languages and cultures.
Then:Alicante,
España 1966
Now: Paris, France, 2004
P.S.: Learning language is fun!
Photography*, script, editing and production by Anna Marie Pietrolonardo © 2004
Credits
•Coombes, Andrea.. “Bilingual Job Seekers Rise Above the Crowd”, Working, January 27, 2004
• “Year of Language: 2005” ACTFL, 2004
• Weber, George. “The World’s 10 Most Influential Languages”, Language Today Vol.. 2:Dec 1997.