Languages for All? The Anglophone Challenge
In recent years, much of the discussion regarding foreign language education has centered on its perceived benefits: a more robust economy, stronger national security, improved cognitive ability, and advantages in college admissions and the job market, just to name a few. Recent surveys show that 85 percent of American adults now believe that it is important for youth to learn a second language, yet 79 percent of Americans are still monolingual.It’s time to shift the discussion from “Why should we learn a second language?” to “Why aren’t we learning languages?”
We invite you to join us on September 30, 2013, for “Languages for All? The Anglophone Challenge," an international forum on language education and policy in the United States and other English-speaking countries. Rather than reiterate the importance of language study, we are inviting leaders and managers from government, business and education to tell us why they are or are not supporting increased language education. We seek varied perspectives and friendly debate, and you have been selected to add your! unique voice to our discussion.
As preparation, you will receive a white paper offering an evidence-based overview of developments in language learning that have happened over the past 15 years. At the forum, our panel of leaders, managers and experts will lead a frank discussion of what’s worked and what hasn’t, whether these developments are affecting their decisions to support language or not, and whether they expect any change in the future. In addition, you will hear what other English-speaking countries facing similar challenges are doing.
For more information or to register, visit www.casl.umd.edu/languagesforall.Questions about the event may be directed to Professor Richard D. Brecht (rbrecht@umd.edu) or Ms. Elsbeth Clay (eclay@casl.umd.edu).