Four decades later, the language gap has not been bridged, and public officials remain concerned. And they should be; language skills are required to navigate great challenges (and great opportunities) not only in national security, but also\u00a0business and trade<\/a>, diplomacy<\/a>, global health<\/a>, disaster preparedness and relief<\/a>, and so on.<\/p>\n In 2014, a bipartisan request from Congress to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences prompted a new study of the nation\u2019s language education needs. In the resulting report, America\u2019s Languages: Investing in Language Learning for the 21st Century<\/a>, the Commission recommends \u201ca national strategy to\u00a0improve access to as many languages as possible for people of every region, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background\u2014that is, to value language education as a persistent national need similar to education in math or English, and to ensure that a useful level of proficiency is within every student\u2019s reach.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Specific recommendations in the America\u2019s Languages report focus on expanding (and better funding) public language education: increasing the number of language teachers or supplementing through digital technology and blended learning methods; supporting and expanding heritage language programs; increasing support and creating more educational materials for Native American languages; and encouraging and providing federal financial aid for study abroad programs.<\/p>\n A number of state and federal initiatives are aiming to meet those needs:<\/p>\n Those efforts and others like them are promising, but it\u2019s not enough.<\/p>\n In a recent interview<\/a>, ACTFL Executive Directory Marty Abbott \u00a0explained that the language gap in the U.S. is actually getting worse and enrollment in language classes is falling.<\/strong> Only about 20% of American K-12 students are enrolled in language courses, compared to 92% in Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n Abbott believes attitudes have something to do with it: \u201cI think Americans have a mindset that, as a country, we’re not good at languages, that they’re tough, they’re challenging, that maybe only academically gifted students can do it. And that’s a false idea, because we were able to learn our first language. Most of the rest of the world grows up bilingually, with the knowledge of more than one language. It just hasn’t been our normal in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n While at the helm of ACTFL, she hopes to create a \u201cnew normal\u201d in which students and parents understand that English is not enough, and that there is a link between language skills and future success.<\/p>\n To that end, the America’s Languages report agrees. While English is on the rise on a global scale, the report acknowledges \u201can emerging consensus among leaders in business and politics, teachers, scientists, and community members that proficiency in English is not sufficient to meet the nation\u2019s needs in a shrinking world<\/strong>, nor the needs of individual citizens who interact with other peoples and cultures more than at any other time in human history.\u201d<\/p>\n This consensus has a long way to spread, however. Congress is considering a bill allowing computer coding languages to fulfill foreign language requirements<\/a>. Media outlets frequently report on a supposed cut-off age<\/a> for language learning (even though the research they cite concludes no such thing) and publish op-eds titled Should Schools Require Foreign Languages? Doubtful.<\/a> Leaders and figureheads in this country are still sending the wrong message, which, if not changed, will result in even lower enrollment rates among tomorrow’s young people.<\/p>\n Raising awareness, which Abbott says is the number one way to improve language education in the U.S., must happen at the local level. Panetta puts the onus on parents, educators, policymakers, and leaders in business in government. Parents can pass down heritage languages, educators and policymakers can strengthen foreign language requirements and expand course offerings, and businesses can provide language training and professional development opportunities.<\/p>\n![\"world](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/language-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2018\/08\/world-in-hand-1024x682.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nPublic officials are combating the language deficit with legislation and funding, but there is more to be done.<\/h4>\n
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America needs a nationwide attitude adjustment on foreign languages.<\/h4>\n
Public organizations and community leaders must promote and provide language learning opportunities to people of all backgrounds.<\/h4>\n
![\"world](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/language-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2018\/08\/world-in-hand-350x233.jpeg\")