Emily LeibrockM445Spring 2010Why Should We Teach Foreign Languages?
Learning language aids in brain development.
What part of the brain do you use while learning a language?BOTH!The left side of your brain is used for analytical and sequential skillsThe right side of the brain is used for process such as: guessing, associating and getting the main idea
Learning language EARLY IN LIFE supports cognitive development.
Many studies have been done that show how language learners aremore successful in overall learning than those who do not learn a second language.
Foster, K. M., & Reeves, C. K. (1989). Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) improves cognitive skills. FLES News, 2(3), 4.A study was conducted in an elementary school that was trying to show that learning a foreign language improves overall learning.The study consisted on 67 sixth-graders, who were learning French.They were placed into four different groups and each group participated in different ways.
What were the results? “The students who had received foreign language instruction scored higher on tasks involving evaluation which is the highest cognitive skill according to Bloom's taxonomy. The linear trend analysis showed that the students who had studied French the longest performed the best.”Foster, K. M., & Reeves, C. K. (1989). Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) improves cognitive skills. FLES News, 2(3), 4.
Learning Language helps our students to be culturally competent
What is Cultural Competence?“An understanding of values, behaviors, attitudes, and practices which enable people to work effectively across racial/ethnic and cultural lines.” defined by: New Mexico State University
Teaching foreign languages support cultural competence by:Allowing students to get an understanding of different cultures through classroom instructionTeaching students the target language in which they will be able to communicate with a diverse group of people
Learning culture in the classroomOne of the biggest issues that we face in today’s society is the lack of understanding between cultures. By students learning about culture in the classroom, they will be better equipped to work with people of different cultures.
Miscommunications between culturesMany people do not understand people of different cultures. This causes a lot of problems in the American society because of the rising population of immigration.  These problems usually are:Different core beliefsDifferent ways of communicatingDifferent concepts of timeDifferent levels of personal space.
Speaking Another Language…Enables people to communicate more effectively without frustration or anger.  Can open up many doors! Knowing another language allows many more job opportunities in your community!
Proficiency levels needed in the Work Worldhttp://www.carla.umn.edu/resources/teaching/SpeakUp_MCTLC2007.ppt#310,1,Slide 1
Proficiency levels needed in the Work Worldhttp://www.carla.umn.edu/resources/teaching/SpeakUp_MCTLC2007.ppt#310,1,Slide 1
Learning a language will help our students to be fully prepared for the workplace and in social situations.
Voices from the CommunityWhy should we learn Spanish or another foreign language?“Indianapolis, like other cities, is experiencing an increase in immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries, the majority of whom come from Mexico.”IUPUI Mexico Immersion Program
By teaching a foreign language, we will prepare our students for their future and enable them to be active members in our community.

Emily Leibrock

  • 1.
    Emily LeibrockM445Spring 2010WhyShould We Teach Foreign Languages?
  • 2.
    Learning language aidsin brain development.
  • 3.
    What part ofthe brain do you use while learning a language?BOTH!The left side of your brain is used for analytical and sequential skillsThe right side of the brain is used for process such as: guessing, associating and getting the main idea
  • 4.
    Learning language EARLYIN LIFE supports cognitive development.
  • 5.
    Many studies havebeen done that show how language learners aremore successful in overall learning than those who do not learn a second language.
  • 6.
    Foster, K. M.,& Reeves, C. K. (1989). Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) improves cognitive skills. FLES News, 2(3), 4.A study was conducted in an elementary school that was trying to show that learning a foreign language improves overall learning.The study consisted on 67 sixth-graders, who were learning French.They were placed into four different groups and each group participated in different ways.
  • 7.
    What were theresults? “The students who had received foreign language instruction scored higher on tasks involving evaluation which is the highest cognitive skill according to Bloom's taxonomy. The linear trend analysis showed that the students who had studied French the longest performed the best.”Foster, K. M., & Reeves, C. K. (1989). Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) improves cognitive skills. FLES News, 2(3), 4.
  • 8.
    Learning Language helpsour students to be culturally competent
  • 9.
    What is CulturalCompetence?“An understanding of values, behaviors, attitudes, and practices which enable people to work effectively across racial/ethnic and cultural lines.” defined by: New Mexico State University
  • 10.
    Teaching foreign languagessupport cultural competence by:Allowing students to get an understanding of different cultures through classroom instructionTeaching students the target language in which they will be able to communicate with a diverse group of people
  • 11.
    Learning culture inthe classroomOne of the biggest issues that we face in today’s society is the lack of understanding between cultures. By students learning about culture in the classroom, they will be better equipped to work with people of different cultures.
  • 12.
    Miscommunications between culturesManypeople do not understand people of different cultures. This causes a lot of problems in the American society because of the rising population of immigration. These problems usually are:Different core beliefsDifferent ways of communicatingDifferent concepts of timeDifferent levels of personal space.
  • 13.
    Speaking Another Language…Enablespeople to communicate more effectively without frustration or anger. Can open up many doors! Knowing another language allows many more job opportunities in your community!
  • 14.
    Proficiency levels neededin the Work Worldhttp://www.carla.umn.edu/resources/teaching/SpeakUp_MCTLC2007.ppt#310,1,Slide 1
  • 15.
    Proficiency levels neededin the Work Worldhttp://www.carla.umn.edu/resources/teaching/SpeakUp_MCTLC2007.ppt#310,1,Slide 1
  • 16.
    Learning a languagewill help our students to be fully prepared for the workplace and in social situations.
  • 17.
    Voices from theCommunityWhy should we learn Spanish or another foreign language?“Indianapolis, like other cities, is experiencing an increase in immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries, the majority of whom come from Mexico.”IUPUI Mexico Immersion Program
  • 18.
    By teaching aforeign language, we will prepare our students for their future and enable them to be active members in our community.