Language Hits the Hill

IMG_0906Today, over 70 delegates from across the U.S. are in Washington to meet with their representatives in Congress to ask for more federal support for language education.

With the guidance of the Joint National Committee for Languages/National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS), these education and business leaders are asking members of the House and Senate to support the recognition and funding of language education as a national priority through a range of actions including pledging their support for the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages’ (ACTFL’s) upcoming Lead with Languages campaign which is set to galvanize public opinion; for language-specific additions to the proposed re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, or No Child Left Behind); and for sponsorship of the proposed World Language Advancement Act 2015 which would reinstate the Foreign Language Assistance Program funding for K-12 schools.

Speaking with LM editor, Daniel Ward, Richard Brecht, American Councils for International Education, declared that “we have never been in a better position to change policy.”

An in-depth report will follow in print and online.

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. It is high time to decrease the language deficit in the USA and start teaching foreign languages from early age, when children have talent to acquisition of language skills. It will require integration of modern technology with latest pedagogy. Language is not information to be remembered; it is a skill to be trained. It would require a deep vision in the proposed World Language Advancement Act 2015, which should clearly define the border line between subjects to be learned and skills to be trained. A foreign language is a practical skill needed for everyday life.

  2. I agree to the observation of Mr. Daniel Ward, lenguajes always be subject to address an interesting, but in us premia englihs or is important, because they want this is the universal languaje, and if not for the work of parents and some beliefs and languajes transfer your languaje schools or other building spaces learn they would be gone.

Comments are closed.