Cobb County Foreign Language

Condoleezza Rice Reports: "Confronting national security challenges on five fronts”

Condoleezza Rice has some really important things to say about “confronting national security challenges on five fronts”.

Condeezza Rice's report on the importance of foreign language study:

 

"Study a Language, discover a world"

Some thoughts on the importance of language learning:

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/study-a-language-discover-855946.html

Clarissa Adams Fletcher is world languages department chair at Dunwoody High School, was named 2011 American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages National Language Teacher of the Year. She also teaches with the Georgia Virtual School and earned her National Board Certification in Spanish in 2004.

Why learn languages?

For ten good reasons why you should learn a new language, visit VistaWide World Languages and Culture.

15 reasons for studying a foreign language

From the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Northern Iowa


Fifteen things studying a new language might do for you...

Language study

1. broadens your experiences; expands your view of the world  
2. encourages critical reflection on the relation of language and culture, language and thought; fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature
3. develops your intellect; teaches you how to learn
4. teaches and encourages respect for other peoples  
5. contributes to cultural awareness and literacy, such as knowledge of original texts
6. builds practical skills (for travel or commerce or as a tool for other disciplines)
7. improves the knowledge of your own language through comparison and contrast with the foreign language
8. exposes you to modes of thought outside of your native language
9. a sense of relevant past, both cultural and linguistic      
10. balances content and skill (rather than content versus skill)  
11. expands opportunities for meaningful leisure activity (travel, reading, viewing foreign language films)  
12. contributes to achievemnet of national goals, such as economic development or national security
13. contributes to the creation of your personality
14. enables the transfer of training (such as learning a second foreign language)  
15. preserves (or fosters) a country’s image as a cultured nation

 

The above modified from Alan C. Frantz, "Seventeen Values     of Foreign Language Study" (ADFL Bulletin, vol. 28, Nr.1, Fall 1996).  

Brochure

The Modern Language Association has created a brochure entitled "Knowing Other Languages Brings Opportunities." The MLA has given permission for this brochure to be duplicated and distributed. Click here to download a copy: Download lang_brochure.pdf
Educators, guidance counselors and parents may request free color copies of the brochure by writing to the following address:
Office of Foreign Language Programs
Modern Language Association
26 Broadway, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10006-1789
flbrochure@mla.org