Why Learn Spanish

1. Why Learn Spanish Dr. Olenka Bilash University of Alberta obilash@ualberta.ca Robert Warren School Calgary February 24, 2011

2. This evening’s goals • Value of learning a SL • Value of learning Spanish • Question-answers at any time

3. Did you know that. . . • 12,965,495 Canadians speak a language other than English. • That’s 42% of the Canadian population • Your children can be a part of this growing number • Job market

4. Why learn Spanish? International understanding UN vision “Monolingualism will not serve the next generation well - it implies inflexibility and the presumption that others should always be prepared to communicate with us.”

5. Plurilingualism http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Welcome_multilingual_Guernsey_tourism.jpg http://www.flashmapped.com/enEN/features/multilingual.html http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=56003&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

6. Did you know that. . . • It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything (developmental psychologist Erik Erickson) • To form identity requires • Time • Agents of influence (people, places, music, heroes) • Symbols • Choice • Belonging

7. Did you know that. . . • It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything (developmental psychologist Erik Erickson) • E.g. hockey (skating as of 2-3 years of age • 2-3: Twice a week x 25 weeks = 50 hours x 2 yrs=100 • 4-5: 3hrs a week x 25 weeks = 75 hours x 2 yrs=150 • 6-9: 4hrs a week x 25 weeks = 100 hours x 4 yrs=400 • 10-12: 6hrs a week x 35 weeks= 210 hours x 3 yrs=630 • 13-16: 12hrs a week x 40 weeks= 480 hours x 4 yrs=1,920 } 650 }3,200

8. Did you know that. . . • It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything (developmental psychologist Erik Erickson) • E.g. dancing (as of 2-3 years of age) • 2-3: Twice a week x 25 weeks = 50 hours x 2 yrs=100 • 4-5: 3hrs a week x 25 weeks = 75 hours x 2 yrs=150 • 6-9: 4hrs a week x 25 weeks = 100 hours x 4 yrs=400 • 10-12: 6hrs a week x 35 weeks= 210 hours x 3 yrs=630 • 13-16: 12hrs a week x 40 weeks= 480 hours x 4 yrs=1,920 } 650 }3,200

9. Did you know that. . . • It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything (developmental psychologist Erik Erickson) • E.g. learning one’s first language (MT) • 0-2: 12 hrs x 365 days = 4,380 hrs x 2 yrs=9,660 (listening) • 0-5: 4hrs x 365 days= 1460 hours x 5 yrs=7300 (speaking) • 5-17: 5hrs a day x 5 days x40 weeks = 1000 hours x 12 yrs=12000 (academic literacy, writing, numeracy)

10. Did you know that. . . • It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything (developmental psychologist Erik Erickson) • E.g. learning Spanish in the bilingual program • 5-12: 2 hrs x 5 days = 10 hrs x 35 wks = 350 hrs x 8 yrs = 2800 hrs • You need more: • Summer camps • FUN Homework • Movies and music • Travel • Homestay hosts • Symbols of success • Agents of influence • Feeling of belonging

11. Why learn Spanish? International understanding UN vision Academic-Intellectual development

12. Alberta Education reports… • Second Language students have higher test scores in reading, language and mathematics • Second langauge education significantly strengthens first language skills in the areas of reading, vocabulary, grammar and communication skills • Students fluent in two languages score higher in both verbal and non-verbal intelligence… • Students studying a second language are superior in divergent thinking tasks and in memory ability and attention span • Students studying a second language display greater Cultural sensitivity…

13. National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL) reports • Foreign language learning is much more a cognitive problem solving activity than a linguistic activity, overall. • Studies have shown repeatedly that foreign language learning increases critical thinking skills, creativity, and flexibility of mind in young children. • Students who are learning a foreign language out-score their non-foreign language learning peers in the verbal and, surprisingly to some, the math sections of standardized tests. • This relationship between foreign language study and increased mathematical skill development, particularly in the area of problem solving, points once again to the fact that second language learning is more of a cognitive than linguistic activity.” • Therese Sullivan Caccavale, president of the National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL)

14. A Second Language ADDS to life • INCREASES • Social • Physical • Intellectual • Cultural • Emotional • Good ability in Mother tongue helps learn a new language. • Learning a new language helps mother tongue.

15. Why learn Spanish? International understanding UN vision Academic-Intellectual development Global communication

16. Spanish Language around the Globe • Spanish is the 3rd most used language in the world • NATIVE: 350 million • Second: 70 million • TOTAL: 420 million Spanish is the official language of 21 countries

17. Did you know that • The Hispanic population in the US has grown by 60% in the last ten years • US has the fifth largest Spanish speaking population in the world (behind Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Spain respectively).

18. International population

19. Why learn Spanish? International understanding UN vision Academic-Intellectual development Social-personal-travel Personal empathy Global lingua franca

20. “Language is culture” “and Culture is Language” Franz Boas There is an intimate connection between language and culture.

21. Social justice - Volunteer • Translators Without Borders: • A not-for-profit association which provides free translations for humanitarian organizations. • Witness repots, articles, field manuals, textbooks

22. Why learn Spanish? International understanding UN vision Academic-Intellectual development National-International Job mobility Social-personal-travel Personal empathy Global lingua franca

23. UK newspapers report • There is an urgent requirement for qualified speakers of languages other than English in the areas of science, technology, medicine, and global commerce… • However, no matter what career you enter, you will be interacting with others around the world on routine basis, and doing business locally with those whose native language is not English… -

24. Job opportunities • Government services • Education, • International business • Communication and radio • Intelligence or law enforcement • Service • Trades

25. Applying for jobs • Advantages of Knowing a Second Language when Applying for a job: • Cultural Sensitivity • Provide service to twice as many people • Leads to better career opportunities in all sectors of the economy – tourism, business, health care, the arts, and beyond.

26. Source: www.international.alberta.ca/608.cfm

27. Facebook See also: http://www.insidefacebook.com/2010/08/25/facebooks-spanish-language-market-marked-by-fragmentation-but-promises-opportunity/

28. How can we increase positive identity • To build identity • Time (It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything) • Agents of influence (people, places, music, heroes) • Symbols • Choice • Belonging • AND

29. Acknowledgement • Linguapax – UNESCO • Certificates to acknowledge growth and skill in languages and intercultural competency • Students • age groups • Under 12 • 12-15 • 16-18 • Parents - families • Teachers (language teachers, all subject teachers) • 5 tasks

30. 5 tasks • Language ability • Cultural knowledge and awareness • Intercultural communication • Project (with someone from another culture) conference • Essay • FREE! Register online • Special acknowledgement for schools with large percentage of students that complete

31. Through learning language Through learning language We learn about culture Through learning about culture We learn respect Through learning respect for others We can hope for peace.

32. “El quehabla dos lenguas vale por dos” (The person who speaks two languages is worth two) - Anonymous Thank you Gracias Questions??

33. References Alberta Education.Benefits of Second Language Learning. Retrieved January 15, 2010, from http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/resources/learnlang/benefits.aspx Baker, C. (2006). Chapter 7: Bilingualism and Cognition. In Baker, C. (4th ed.), Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. 135-161. North York: Multilingual Matters Ltd. Caccalve, T. (2007). Cognitive Benefits of Learning Language. Pulled from American Council of the Teaching Foreign Languages. Retrieved from : http://www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4724 Duranti, Alessandro. (1997). “Language is culture and culture is Language” Linguistic Anthropology. Cambridge University Press. Qtd. in blog by Sophia Danger Kunen. Retrieved January 16, 2010. http://sciencewhynot.blogspot.com/2009/03/language-is-culture-and-culture-is.html Fleming, Grace. Foreign Language Study. Retrieved January 16, 2010. http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworktopics/a/foreignlanguage.htm Ho, C. (2008, My big fat Greek lessons: Martina Faitakis gives up Saturdays to learn her hertiage languages. Edmonton Journal, pp. A1-A11. IHLA. (2010). Sikh Cultural and Spiritual Assembly. Retrieved January 15, 2010, from http://ihlamld72010.blogspot.com/2010/01/sikh-cultural-spiritual-assembly.html International heritage language association of Alberta. (2008). 30th anniversary gala program: 5th annual international mother language day. Edmonton City Hall. (February 22-23) 7-8. Mantell, R. (2008). Knowing a Second Language Pays Off. Recruiting Nevada. Retrieved from http://news.recruitingnevada.com/article.php?id=2237

34. References Perez, I. A. (2005/2006). Nonverbal Communication. International Journal of Learning, 12 (9), 285-295. Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tnh&AN=24953861&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site Omniglot. Why should I learn a language. Retrieved January 16, 2010. http://www.omniglot.com/language/why.htm Rollins, G.5 Benefits to Learning Spanish. Retrieved January 10, 2010, from http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Benefits-To-Learning-Spanish&id=647365 Saville-Troike, M. (2006). Chapter 4: The psychology of Second Language Acquisition. In Saville-Troike, M., Introducing Second Language Acquisition. 67-97. New York: Cambridge University Press. Schools. Retrieved from http://www.tfs.ca/academic-program/bilingual-advantage.html Translators Without Borders. Retrieved From http://tsf.eurotexte.fr/index-en.shtml Tychnowicz, W. (2008). Colorful Culture.(Sunday February 24,2008), A14. Vistawide: World Languages and Culture. Retrieved from http://www.vistawide.com/languages/top_30_languages.htm Weatherford, H. J. (1987). Personal Benefits of Foreign Language Study. ERIC Digests, 1-4. Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=ED276305&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site

35. References: Images • Spanish around the globe • Flags: http://osx.lps.org/manila/bmullen/countries3.jpg • What are the Overall Affects of Academics? • Brain: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-ca%3AIE-SearchBox&um=1&sa=1&q=smart+brain&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g1&start=0 • Volunteer • Trilingual Translators Without Borders logo: <Images: http://tsf.eurotexte.fr/downloads/MultiL-humanitariantrans.pdf

36. Spanish is the official language of the following countries… Argentina Bolivia Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Puerto Rico Spain Uruguay Venezuela