The Importance Of Language Education

The author, Melinda D. Anderson, sheds light on a growing problem in America. Today, thousands of students are experiencing difficulties when trying to earn an education because of the language barriers that prohibit them. Additionally, educators are ignoring this dilemma and making matters worse by enforcing English-only policies. The author believes that educators should discover a way to intertwine languages in order to help struggling students to overcome their language barriers.

Teachers are forcing kids away from taking specific classes due to bias opinions, which is why for many schools in the United States language is not looked at as a priority. Picture growing up in a small town, in Maine, which in the data table from Shin and Kominski’s report showed to be a state with the least amount of citizens that spoke a language other than English as their primary language, shows that for some people language is hard to see has being important. In High School some have found a passion in language but don’t receive the proper curriculum that would allow them to succeed. Instead of introducing language in High School, our school systems should focus on adding it into the curriculum that is taught in elementary school and middle school. By starting when you are young, the time you are graduating high school you can speak at least one other language and classify yourself as bilingual. Dianne Steinbach explained it as, “Something that many of us took for granted when we were younger people is now disappearing” (First Speakers:Restoring). Since there is such a large increase in language diversity

In “Why Foreign Language Education Matters” Representative Rush Holt expresses the idea that the average American is generally deprived of what is known as cultural enrichment in their day-to-day lives, even though others believe that English should be the primary and only language Americans should speak. Holt conveys the overall concept that being bilingual, trilingual, or multilingual is a benefit not just for oneself but for our society. Rush Holt presents the argument with extreme concern for our upcoming generations and the consequences it may cause our nation’s economy to decrease in federal funding’s for education programs, as well as our global marketplace and national security who is highly dependent of translators, specialist, and

There is one personal story that I have never told anyone, because I feel kind of ashamed if I talk about it. I actually have no knowledge of American History; even I went to the full four years public high school in America. That is why I am questioning the education system in the United States. Instead of spending countless periods in regular History and Biology classes without understand any materials, why schools do not offer History and Biology classes but just for ESL student, using simple and easier form of English to understand, so immigrant students can actually learn more about the subjects. In the addition, schools should also give an instructional program that give English language learners access to academic concepts and skills. Therefore, I certainly believe if there were program and curricular alternatives for students with limited English proficiency, students would not experience a difficult time with their school. Moreover, research has showed that due to these difficulties that immigrant students have to face, there is a high dropout rates among language-minority secondary school students. For example, Hispanic students are more likely than White students to leave school during their high school years (10% versus 4%; National Center for Education Statistics, 1996). In 1994, the number of Hispanic students aged 16-24 who had not completed high school and were not enrolled was 30%, as compared to 8% for White

Being required to speak a second language may seem trivial ,but it is, in fact, crucial.In terms of today’s concern over , there is always going to be a demand for Americans who speak a foreign language in jobs.By requiring students to speak a second language it exposes children to different cultures.As well as it helps students develop important skills in all learning,not just language acquisition.There is no doubt when saying that all US students should be required to speak one other language besides English because it brings so many positive benefits besides being bilingual.

Education is an important aspect to many people’s lives. The public school system is utilized on a daily basis to help educate students across America including Virginia. There are many major events which impact our education systems. In 1974, the Lau v. Nichols event occurred to expand the rights of students. Even though some people believe all students should not be treated equally, the Lau v. Nichols court decision states differently. In public schools, English is to be taught, language deficiency is not a problem, and students should not be discriminated against for their limited English skills.

The United States is further behind in education than many other countries. They are lacking behind in math and science compared to Asian countries. They are more below in arts than European countries. They are also further behind in foreign language than the rest of the world. Children are more receptive to learning when it begins at an early age. To obtain a positive and better quality of learning, foreign language should be considered in being implemented in primary school.

In this globalized world, learning an extra language other than their native languages is almost essential for every individual. Although the United States is one of the most diverse countries in the world, the need to promote a national language is widely held in the country as requisite for the promotion of a national identity, a President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington, D.C, Terrence Wiley states (Wiley, 2014). However, English is not considered as an official language, which creates an opportunity for the citizens and immigrants to not only study English, but also inherit their mother tongues and learn other foreign languages as well, particularly during the secondary education. Additionally, “globalization in the economy and politics have profound consequences for language policies in education” (Wiley, 2014). High schools in the United States value diversity in language classes and support students learning more than one language to foster better communication with people around the world.

Learning a foreign language is becoming more and more popular everywhere in our day and time, and Mexico is not the exception. Many Mexican students, young and old, are motivated to learn English for education, work, travel, or even just for the love of learning a new language. Alejandro Estrada is an English student from Guadalajara, Jalisco. His goal in learning English is to further his education, and thus his quality of life. In this essay, I will create explain Alejandro’s concerns with studying English, and what I can do to help him achieve his language goals.

Language development is very important for a child to understand and grasp. One of the first signs to tell if your child has some type of developmental issue is to test their language abilities. Where does language development stem from? Some say it stems from the environment and some say it comes from your parents, peers and social interactions. The theory that we will be discussing in this paper is the behavioral theory of language development. Behavioral theory is the belief that children acquire language through social interactions. They will hear words over and over and start to say them and eventually learn the meaning behind the word. Children like to see your reaction after they repeat a word making them more prone to doing it (Bloom, Hood, & Lightbown, 1974). This is a controversial topic that researchers debate on all the time and they haven’t figured out which is the best method to use.

Language is a means of expression. We express our feelings, emotions, thoughts, needs, desires etc. in words, symbols and gesture which is considered as language. Language can be defined as verbal, physical, biologically innate, and a basic form of communication. Culture is the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. Thus culture finds its expression in language; so, learning a new language without familiarity with its culture remains incomplete. This paper aims at defining culture, its relationship with language and what role it plays in teaching and learning language.

“I can’t wait to put this language that I have spent four years learning in high school to good use!” exclaimed every foreign language student. But expectations do not align with reality and upon entering the country where the foreign language is spoken, the student realizes that they can barely converse and understand only the most basic phrases. Why is this? It is because the foreign language classes offered in high school only cover vocabulary and grammar. Because they overlook the other essential parts of language, the course leaves students with inconsistent abilities. Introducing foreign language studies at the high school level is ineffective because it diverts resources for courses that may have minimal impact on students’ academic successes.

Language remains an integral part of human culture that our brains instill before we are born. Scientists have known for years fetuses can hear inside the womb, but they have discovered newborns possess the ability to cry in a way which mimics their native language (Cox). Scientists also recognize that as humans age learning a new skill―like a language―proves increasingly more difficult. Adults’ brains do not possess the same absorbency skills that children do (Baer). For this reason, I would advocate for high schools and colleges requiring students to take at least two years of a foreign language. Numerous studies have linked learning a second language to increased cognitive function, heightened global awareness, and understanding foreign cultural traditions.

Teaching language is noted as one of difficult activities for teachers. It is therefore very necessary to device the right techniques and strategies are for effective delivery of language instruction especially in English. The popularity of English language is well acclaimed all over the world, therefore there is the need for teachers to teach and arouse students’ interest in order for the objectives of the lesson to be achieved in the classroom. Usually due to the difficulties in learning, English language can make students lose their interest especially when there seems to be conflict between the students’ perceived objectives of the language learning and the curricular objectives. Interest is one of the strongest motivations for learning English. Motivation has long been identified as one of the main factors affecting English language learning (Gardner, 1985). Parsons, Hinson and Brown (2001) define motivation as an important component or factor in the learning process. Learning and motivation have the same importance in order to achieve something. Learning makes it possible to gain new knowledge and skills and motivation pushes to go through the learning process (Wimolmas, 2013). Ellis (1997) stated that as teachers, there is the need to explore more fully the factors that are involved in motivating students to perform tasks well because this is something that teachers have some control over. Such factors include the opinions of students and teachers about the

In the nineteenth century, the United States set the precedence for racism. While the problems may appear consummated, the people of today know that is not totally the case. With the amount of cultural presence continuously growing, the ubiquity of foreign language should be taken more seriously. “One reason to learn them [foreign languages] is because they are tickets to being able to participate in the culture of the people who speak them, just by virtue of the fact that it is their code,” begins McWhorter of TED (McWhorter, 2016). Consequently, schools should offer foreign language classes sooner in a child’s life than freshman year of high school because this type of learning introduces them to cultural differences, increases their learning abilities and helps them understand learning styles of varying levels.