The Importance of Elementary Foreign Language
Why is it important to start foreign language in elementary school? Here are 10 research-backed reasons why it is beneficial and crucial that students start foreign language in their elementary years. Learning a foreign language in Elementary school...
1. ... increases likelihood of achieving higher levels of language proficiency by high school
Students who begin foreign language study in elementary school are 70% more likely to reach conversation-level skills than students who begin in middle school or high school (CASLS, 2010)
2. ... correlates to improved academic performance in other subject areas
Strong evidence shows that time spent on foreign language study strongly reinforces the core subject areas of reading, English language literacy, social studies and math. Foreign language learners consistently outperform control groups in core subject areas on standardized tests, often significantly. (Armstrong & Rogers 1997; Saunders 1998; Masciantonio 1977; Rafferty 1986; Andrade 1989; Kretschmer & Kretschmer 1989)
Students who started kindergarten in the first Kansas City foreign language magnet schools in 1988 had surpassed national averages in all subjects by the time they reached fifth grade.These foreign language students performed especially well in mathematics. (Eaton 1994)
3. ... narrows achievement gaps
Children of color, children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and English Language Learners make the greatest proportionate achievement gains from foreign language study. Early foreign language study is less dependent on previous verbal learning than most other elements of the elementary school curriculum and this allows some students to succeed who have otherwise experienced repeated failure in school. (Curtain & Dahlberg 2004)
4. ... increases standardized test scores
Foreign language learners consistently outperform control groups in core subject areas on standardized tests often significantly. (Armstrong & Rogers 1997, Saunders 1998, Masciantonio 1977, Rafferty 1986, Andrade, Kretschmer & Kretschmer 1989)
Cincinnati’s Foreign Language Magnet Program has a student population that is 57% African American and 43% Caucasian, with 52% of the total receiving free and reduced lunch. Achievement for these children far exceeds national norms in both reading and math and participants in the foreign language magnet program on average score higher than the average of all Cincinnati’s many magnet programs. (Andrade, Kretschmer & Kretschmer 1989)
5. ... benefits basic skills development
There’s a high positive correlation between foreign language study and improved reading scores for children of average and below average intelligence. (Garfinkel & Tabor 1991)
Foreign language learners have better listening skills and sharper memories than their monolingual peers. (Lapkin, et al 1990, Ratte 1968)
6. ... fosters higher order, abstract and creative thinking
Several studies indicate that individuals who learn a second language are more creative and better at solving complex problems than those who do not. (Bamford & Mizokawa, 1991)
Language learners show greater cognitive flexibility, better problem solving and higher order thinking skills. (Hakuta 1986)
7. ... enhances a student's sense of achievement
Foreign language study is area where children not accustomed to achievement in school are able to excel. The resulting benefit to self-image, self-esteem and satisfaction with school experience are enormous. Evidence from several studies study show language students to have a significantly higher self-concept than do non-language students. (Masciantonio 1977, Saunders 1998, Andrade, et al. 1989)
Language study is an area in which ELL students can be successful in front of their peers, since bilingual children learn additional languages more quickly and efficiently than monolingual children. (Cummins 1990)
8. ... enriches cognitive development
Research indicates that children who are exposed to a foreign language at a young age achieve higher levels of cognitive development at an earlier age. (Bialystok & Hakuta 1994; Fuchsen 1989)
People who are competent in more than one language consistently outscore monolinguals on tests of verbal and nonverbal intelligence. (Bruck, Lambert, Tucker 1974, Hakuta 1986, Weatherford 1986)
9. ... promotes culture competency and awareness
In an age of global interdependence and an increasingly multicultural and multiethnic society, early foreign language study gives children unique insight into other cultures and builds their cultural competency skills in a way that no other discipline is able to do. “The age of ten is a crucial time in the development of attitudes toward nations and groups perceived as ‘other’ according to the research of Piaget, Lambert and others. At age 10, children are in the process of moving from egocentricity to reciprocity and information received before age 10 is eagerly received.” (Curtain & Dahlberg 2004)
Foreign language learners are more tolerant of the differences among people. (Carpenter & Torney 1974)
10. ... creates job opportunities - especially in critical languages!
In a survey of 581 alumni of The American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona, most respondents said they had gained a competitive advantage from their knowledge of foreign languages and other cultures. They said that not only was language study often a critical factor in hiring decisions and in enhancing their career paths, it also provided personal fulfillment, mental discipline, and cultural enlightenment. (Grosse 2004)
In recent years, the U.S. government has expressed a need for fluent speakers of languages other than English, particularly in less commonly taught languages such as Arabic and Chinese (U.S. General Accounting Office 2002).
Source: Regarding World Language Education, NEA Research, 2007.
Center for Applied Second Language Studies, Do Early Language Programs Improve High School Proficiency?, 2010
Helpful Links:
ACTFL What the Research Shows
ACTFL Cognitive Benefits of Learning Language
Why, How, and When Should My Child Learn a Second Language
Students who begin foreign language study in elementary school are 70% more likely to reach conversation-level skills than students who begin in middle school or high school (CASLS, 2010)
2. ... correlates to improved academic performance in other subject areas
Strong evidence shows that time spent on foreign language study strongly reinforces the core subject areas of reading, English language literacy, social studies and math. Foreign language learners consistently outperform control groups in core subject areas on standardized tests, often significantly. (Armstrong & Rogers 1997; Saunders 1998; Masciantonio 1977; Rafferty 1986; Andrade 1989; Kretschmer & Kretschmer 1989)
Students who started kindergarten in the first Kansas City foreign language magnet schools in 1988 had surpassed national averages in all subjects by the time they reached fifth grade.These foreign language students performed especially well in mathematics. (Eaton 1994)
3. ... narrows achievement gaps
Children of color, children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and English Language Learners make the greatest proportionate achievement gains from foreign language study. Early foreign language study is less dependent on previous verbal learning than most other elements of the elementary school curriculum and this allows some students to succeed who have otherwise experienced repeated failure in school. (Curtain & Dahlberg 2004)
4. ... increases standardized test scores
Foreign language learners consistently outperform control groups in core subject areas on standardized tests often significantly. (Armstrong & Rogers 1997, Saunders 1998, Masciantonio 1977, Rafferty 1986, Andrade, Kretschmer & Kretschmer 1989)
Cincinnati’s Foreign Language Magnet Program has a student population that is 57% African American and 43% Caucasian, with 52% of the total receiving free and reduced lunch. Achievement for these children far exceeds national norms in both reading and math and participants in the foreign language magnet program on average score higher than the average of all Cincinnati’s many magnet programs. (Andrade, Kretschmer & Kretschmer 1989)
5. ... benefits basic skills development
There’s a high positive correlation between foreign language study and improved reading scores for children of average and below average intelligence. (Garfinkel & Tabor 1991)
Foreign language learners have better listening skills and sharper memories than their monolingual peers. (Lapkin, et al 1990, Ratte 1968)
6. ... fosters higher order, abstract and creative thinking
Several studies indicate that individuals who learn a second language are more creative and better at solving complex problems than those who do not. (Bamford & Mizokawa, 1991)
Language learners show greater cognitive flexibility, better problem solving and higher order thinking skills. (Hakuta 1986)
7. ... enhances a student's sense of achievement
Foreign language study is area where children not accustomed to achievement in school are able to excel. The resulting benefit to self-image, self-esteem and satisfaction with school experience are enormous. Evidence from several studies study show language students to have a significantly higher self-concept than do non-language students. (Masciantonio 1977, Saunders 1998, Andrade, et al. 1989)
Language study is an area in which ELL students can be successful in front of their peers, since bilingual children learn additional languages more quickly and efficiently than monolingual children. (Cummins 1990)
8. ... enriches cognitive development
Research indicates that children who are exposed to a foreign language at a young age achieve higher levels of cognitive development at an earlier age. (Bialystok & Hakuta 1994; Fuchsen 1989)
People who are competent in more than one language consistently outscore monolinguals on tests of verbal and nonverbal intelligence. (Bruck, Lambert, Tucker 1974, Hakuta 1986, Weatherford 1986)
9. ... promotes culture competency and awareness
In an age of global interdependence and an increasingly multicultural and multiethnic society, early foreign language study gives children unique insight into other cultures and builds their cultural competency skills in a way that no other discipline is able to do. “The age of ten is a crucial time in the development of attitudes toward nations and groups perceived as ‘other’ according to the research of Piaget, Lambert and others. At age 10, children are in the process of moving from egocentricity to reciprocity and information received before age 10 is eagerly received.” (Curtain & Dahlberg 2004)
Foreign language learners are more tolerant of the differences among people. (Carpenter & Torney 1974)
10. ... creates job opportunities - especially in critical languages!
In a survey of 581 alumni of The American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona, most respondents said they had gained a competitive advantage from their knowledge of foreign languages and other cultures. They said that not only was language study often a critical factor in hiring decisions and in enhancing their career paths, it also provided personal fulfillment, mental discipline, and cultural enlightenment. (Grosse 2004)
In recent years, the U.S. government has expressed a need for fluent speakers of languages other than English, particularly in less commonly taught languages such as Arabic and Chinese (U.S. General Accounting Office 2002).
Source: Regarding World Language Education, NEA Research, 2007.
Center for Applied Second Language Studies, Do Early Language Programs Improve High School Proficiency?, 2010
Helpful Links:
ACTFL What the Research Shows
ACTFL Cognitive Benefits of Learning Language
Why, How, and When Should My Child Learn a Second Language