complete foreign language study. Part of the
rationale is a burgeoning to make our graduates
more globally savvy, but an equally important
part, is that through learning a second language
we better understand our own language. A real
testimony is how frequently we hear English
speaking students learning a foreign language
say, “I learned more about English in this class
[Spanish] than in all of my English classes.”
Additionally, foreign language learning has
ripple effects in students’ lives such as
improving cultural understandings,
communication skills, and political awareness.
In essence, foreign language learning not only
helps students’ language understanding and
learning, but it helps them become better
informed global citizens.
References
Association of American Colleges and
Universities. (2011). Liberal education and
America's promise. Retrieved from
http://www.aacu.org/
ACT. (2011a). History of ACT. Retrieved from
http://www.act.org/aboutact/history.html
ACT. (2011b). Preparing for the ACT.
Retrieved from
http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/preparing.pdf
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign
Languages. (n.d.). National standards for
foreign language education. Retrieved from
http://www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?
pageid=3392
Armstrong, P., & Rogers, J. (1997). Basic skills
revisited: The effects of foreign
language instruction on reading, math, and
language arts. Learning Languages,
2(3), 20-31.
Cade, J.M. (1997). The foreign language
immersion program in the Kansas City,
Missouri Public Schools, 1986-1996.
Dissertation Abstracts International-A,
58(10), 3838.
Carr, C.G. (1994). The effect of middle school
foreign language study on verbal
achievement as measured by three subtests
of the Comprehensive Tests of Basic
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