Foreign languages being taught in school can only result in a positive impact in our society. Not only is it important specifically where we live, but it can help students in many professions they may seek after high school. For example, be bilingual can sometimes get you paid twice as much as someone who only speaks one language. In southern California there are a lot of Hispanic immigrants from Mexico that come to our country and our state. Due to this rising population of Hispanic Culture, it is important for people to learn to speak Spanish so that we can have a good line of communication and knowledge between the different cultures. Another large population would be Asian immigrants. Although they seem to migrate more towards Northern California it would still help if we all knew how to communicate. It is equally important for someone coming into America for the first time to learn our language to make sure that communication is spoken and understood freely. "Approximately 44 percent of all students in U.S. public high schools are enrolled in a foreign language course, with Spanish and french being the most popular languages taken."
No matter the translation, Spanish, German or Italian, California foreign language teachers say they're finally getting some respect.
This month, the State Board of Education for the first time adopted draft world language content standards -- putting the discipline on the same level as math, science, history and other core academic subjects.
"It's huge for us," said Nicole Naditz, a French teacher at Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks. "I've never had a document that told me what direction to take in teaching my students."
California schools chief Jack O'Connell applauded the board's action, noting the state has the most diverse student population in the country, with over 100 languages and dialects spoken by schoolchildren.
"It is important to recognize and appreciate the diversity in our schools by placing an added emphasis on the effective learning of these languages and the cultures from which they are derived," O'Connell said in a written statement.
Since 1997 California has been adopting academic standards for what public-school students must know in each grade level in core subjects. It also developed measurements for how students were being taught.
In 2001, the state board adopted a foreign language framework for public schools. But only now have content standards been adopted.
http://www.districtadministration.com/newssummary.aspx?news=yes&postid=51722
California Has Statewide Standard on Teaching Foreign Languages
scabee.com
1/21/2009
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