Peer Review

America's Languages:Investing in America's Languages for the 21st Century

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Reviewed:: Mar 15, 2022 by World Languages

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

A report on the status and importance of language learning in the United States of America, pointing to the increased need to foster second language acquisition in American schools:

"While English continues to be the most commonly used language for world trade and diplomacy, there is an emerging consensus among leaders in business and government, teachers, and scientists that proficiency in English is not sufficient to meet the nation’s needs in a shrinking world. And parents are beginning to understand that there are real benefits to teaching their children a second or third language in addition to English: cognitive benefits, important habits of mind, and new and valuable perspectives on the world.”

An important report for language advocacy.

Type of Material:

Case Study

Recommended Uses:

This report can be used for research on the history of language policy in the United States.
It can be used in language classes to promote the growth of language programs in American schools from Kindergarten to University levels.

Technical Requirements:

Chrome, Edge

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Understand the current state of foreign languages in the United States: how many different languages are being spoken at home, how many schools offer courses in a foreign language and to children of what age, how many Americans are capable of speaking a second language, and at what level of proficiency.
Learn the 5 key recommendations:
- Increase the number of language teachers at all levels of education so that every child in every state has the opportunity to learn a language in addition to English.
- Supplement language instruction across the education system through public-private partnerships among schools, government, philanthropies, businesses, and local community members.
- Support heritage languages already spoken in the United States, and help these languages persist from one generation to the next.
- Provide targeted support and programming for Native American languages as defined in the Native American Languages Act.
- Promote opportunities for students to learn languages in other countries by experiencing other cultures and immersing themselves in multilingual environments.

Target Student Population:

The report's target readership is undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in foreign languages
Also, educational administrators and government officials.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

None.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The accuracy of the research is clear given the documented participation of respected American language educators and leaders of the major American language organizations represented on the Commission.
The content of the report is complete and engaging, with numerous bar graphs and pie charts to aid in the comprehension of the data gathered by the committee.
The main text is also supplemented by profiles of several individuals whose language study has benefited them in their professional life.

Concerns:

None

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

The report can easily be integrated into an undergraduate or graduate foreign language course
Can be used in any courses that are part of the foreign language teacher preparation program.
Students of the American World Languages discipline would find a clear overview of the goals, progress, priorities, and challenges facing language educators in this report.

Concerns:

None

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The report is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate, with sections dedicated to the current state of foreign language in the U.S.
It is a clear easy to read the report.

Concerns:

None

Other Issues and Comments:: "America’s Languages: Investing in America’s Languages for the 21st Century" will be key in our efforts to advocate for the allocation of increased resources to foreign language instruction in the United States. It provides concrete data and expert opinions from educators, businessmen and government officials---all of whom concur that it is essential for the U.S. to produce multilingual citizens should we hope to remain competitive in the global marketplace, international diplomacy, and worldwide security.
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