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Abolishing Monolinguism

Abolishing Monolinguism. The Importance of Leaning Another Language. “The Sum of human wisdom is not contained in any one language.” Unknown. English The Official Language of the United States??. What do you think? Is it important to learn another language?

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Abolishing Monolinguism

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  1. Abolishing Monolinguism The Importance of Leaning Another Language

  2. “The Sum of human wisdom is not contained in any one language.” Unknown

  3. English The Official Language of the United States?? • What do you think? • Is it important to learn another language? • Why are we afraid of becoming bilingual? • Spanish is here to stay

  4. Find Out How Much You Know A little quiz

  5. 1. English became the official language of the Unites States by: • a) A Constitutional provision drafted by the Founding Fathers • b) A Supreme Court Decision • c) A bill signed into law by President Reagan • d) English is not the official language of the United States

  6. 1. English became the official language of the Unites States by: D English is not the official language of the United States

  7. 2. How many states offer driver’s license exams in languages other than English? • A) 4 • B) 14 • C) 24 • D) 44

  8. 2. How many states offer driver’s license exams in languages other than English? D 44

  9. 3. Under existing federal law, it is legal for state and local governments to declare Spanish their only official language? • A) True • B) False

  10. 3. Under existing federal law, it is legal for state and local governments to declare Spanish their only official language? A True

  11. 4. Endorsing legislation known as “English Plus” would: • A) Encourage people to learn more than one language • B) Prevent English from becoming the official language of the United States • C) Foster understanding between people of different ethnic groups • D) None of the above

  12. 4. Endorsing legislation known as “English Plus” would: B Prevent English from becoming the official language of the United States

  13. 5. Approximately what percentage of immigrants support laws to make English the official language of the United States? • A) 20% • B) 33% • C) 55% • D) 70%

  14. 5. Approximately what percentage of immigrants support laws to make English the official language of the United States? D 70%

  15. 6. Which of the following countries have an official language? • A) Israel • B) France • C) Mexico • D) All of the above

  16. 6. Which of the following countries have an official language? D All of the above

  17. More than two-thirds of the Web Pages are in English • A) True • B) False

  18. More than two-thirds of the Web Pages are in English A True

  19. 8. In order to become a U.S. citizen, an applicant must: • A) Demonstrate an ability to speak English • B) Participate in a swearing-in ceremony conducted in English • C) Have paperwork in order • D) All of the Above

  20. 8. In order to become a U.S. citizen, an applicant must: D All of the Above

  21. Foreign Languages Are Important Because… • Can improve SAT and ACT scores • Improve analytic & interpretive capacity • Can lead to future job promotions • Help in understanding other cultures • It will improve your English • Helps develop greater listening & Retention skills

  22. Foreign Languages Are Important Because... • Help language skills • Create positive attitude towards: • Other Languages • Other Cultures • Increase self-esteem

  23. Why Learn … • GERMAN • The largest,wealthiest nation in EU, 3rd in GNP • JAPANESE • Major trading partner • LATIN • Builds strong vocabulary and language skills

  24. What Are We Afraid of? El Cenizo • 1999 El Cenizo a Texas town adopted Spanish as the official language. • Many people were upset at this monolingual attitude • Why the double standard?

  25. Why Is Spanish a Detriment? • Is it wrong to speak to your child in Spanish? • According to a Texas court it is • Mother found guilty

  26. What do you think? “…It’s eminently fair that a country’s official language should be the language of the majority.” Ayn Rand

  27. Why Spanish Is Important • 250 million native speakers • In 20 years, 1/6 people will be Hispanic • 300 million people speak it • Travel • Large business market • $220.2 Billion in purchasing power

  28. Why Spanish Is Important • NAFTA • 3rd most spoken language in the world • After Chinese & English • 2nd in the world when: • Only native speakers are counted

  29. Did you know? • 27 states have an “English Only” policy • Michigan is not one of them • Hawaii is officially Bilingual • “English Only” has been declared Unconstitutional in two states.

  30. So What Is “English Only?” • Can establish English as the official language • Limits government assistance • Restriction of bilingual education • Forbid non-English government services • Courtroom translation • Emergency phone services

  31. The World Is Shrinking “… Economy and technology are fast creating an interdependent global village. Fluency in more than one language will be necessary for the average person wishing to maximize his/her potential.”

  32. Globalization • “Attitudes towards monolingual have no place in a global society.” • The world is getting smaller everyday • Big businesses work closely w/other countries • We can’t be left behind

  33. Is It Too Late? • It’s never too late in life to learn a new skill • For many, Spanish is a language with the most rewards and least effort

  34. What Does It Take To Be Successful • Rigorous Teacher Education • Effective Strategies • Strong Policy • Assessment • Maintenance of: • Heritage • Regional • Indigenous Languages

  35. What Does The U.S. Need To Do? • Start early • Learn from others • Research • Improve teacher education • Assessment • Designate foreign language as a core subject

  36. Final Thoughts • We need to stop having teachers defend foreign languages • Help our children learn the importance of language at a young age • Learn from other countries

  37. “Language is not merely the conjunction of grammar and vocabulary but also communication and better understanding among individuals and nations. No longer can we afford to live isolated in a monolingual society that is forever inward-looking. Great challenges lie beyond our shores, worlds to discover and know. Languages are the golden key to unlock these vistas.”

  38. WORKS CITEDHilt, Douglass. “Foreign Language Learning: Why Bother?” ADFL Bulletin #14, (September 1982) pg. 5-7. Pufahl, Ingrid and Nancy C. Rhodes, Donna Christian. “Foreign Language Teaching, What the United States Can Learn From Other Countries,” Website, December 2002. www.cal.org/ericcll/digest/0106pufahl.html Unknown. “Why Learn Spanish, Spanish for Beginners,” Website, 2002. http://spanish.about.com/library/beginning/nbl-beg-intro-why.htm. Vassen, Robert. Professor and Assistant Director of English Language Center, Michigan State University. Oral Interview, June 5,2003.

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