Students

Pre-K & Elementary

• Young people are most open to learning about new languages and cultures
• Early language study leads to long sequence programs and proficiency
• Starting early facilitates addition of more languages
• Language study helps children develop cognitive skills

Middle school

• Language learning leads to greater understanding of different cultures
• Increasing language proficiency opens more opportunities in secondary study
• Language study enhances problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• The skills required in learning a language transfer to other academic subjects and improved performance in those subjects

High school

• Developing proficiency in other languages broadens career options
• Skills in languages other than English make those not bound for postsecondary study more attractive employment candidates in a wide range of careers where communicating with diverse customers is necessary
• Good language achievement enhances a student’s college prospects and opens paths for a wider range of college-level fields of study

College

• The postsecondary experience can be greatly enhanced by study abroad and travel abroad programs when students have multilingual skills
• This is the point of final career preparation, where language proficiency will greatly enhance their employment and future career prospects.
• Knowing another language will expose postsecondary students to career fields they might not have known about without this academic background.

Community and Business

• Solid language programs make the community and its schools more attractive to potential residents and employers
• These programs contribute to a more diverse population and enhance the cultural experiences of all citizens
• Offering language programs addresses the concerns and demands of parents in the community
• Encouraging language learning helps develop a more valuable employment pool with contemporary skills
• Acquisition of language skills increases business opportunities with minority groups within the community
• Broader language skills help to improve the community by minimizing language barriers and building cross-cultural understanding