Living in the United States is often regarded as living in a melting pot containing people of all sorts of backgrounds and ethnicities. In some places, cultures blend so seamlessly that the melting pot is more like tomato soup. In other areas, the cultures are so strictly divided that the people seem to be a pile of ingredients that have yet to be put together into something delicious. To mix the ingredients in this area effectively, it is important that the area’s inhabitants can work together. Language plays a crucial role in this recipe. The study of foreign languages should have a more prominent role in the education of U.S. students because it would be to their benefit as citizens of a diverse and mobile country.

40.8 million immigrants are living in the U.S. today, accounting for more than 13% of the population (Frequently). Many of these immigrants are moving from countries whose primary language is not English. Often they face hardships that are only made worse by the discrimination they face at school, work, the coffee shop, or the park. For those whose English is shaky at best, being able to communicate with someone in their native language helps to ease the rough transition some immigrants are subjected to. A study referenced by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages shows that the study of a foreign language positively affects attitudes towards the speakers of that language. A united nation must be united, and language plays a pivotal role in this union by decreasing xenophobia-the fear of foreigners-in the U.S.

Liz Banda

Living in such a diverse society, students and their future careers will benefit from learning a foreign language.  A poll conducted by the executive search company, Korn/Ferry International found that “31 percent of corporate executives speak at least two languages (Ross).” Bilingualism can mean quicker advancement and higher salaries, as well as expanded career options. This rings especially true in companies working internationally, for whom a bilingual worker is a hot commodity (Ross).

Considering the close ties that American businesses enjoy with countries around the world, and the easy connections that today’s technology allows American citizens, it’s surprising that foreign language learning isn’t already as large a part of education in the U.S. as it is in European and Asian countries. Some may make the argument that in the United States, language study is a less pressing issue than in Europe, where citizens are a short bus ride or flight away from another country and a populace who speaks a whole different language. Indeed current standards in European countries compared to the U.S. would suggest that American lawmakers have come to a similar conclusion.  Out of the top 25 industrialized countries, 21 start language education in elementary school, whereas in the United States most students begin language education in high school, sometimes taking only a year if they choose to study it at all (Language). Technological advancements such as cell phones, airplanes, and email put U.S. citizens a short text message, letter, or flight away from countries all over the world, making the above excuse an invalid reason not to implement earlier or more intensive programs of language study.

Deciding whether or not education in foreign languages is a high school graduation requirement is the prerogative of the state and in some cases the local government. Additionally, a large number of colleges and universities require two or more years of language study for admission. This has made learning a foreign language somewhat of a social expectation for prospective college students, but doesn’t come close to being the cohesive legislation that the country needs.

To accommodate a diverse population and to enhance prospects on the global market, language study needs to have a more prominent role in the education of U.S. students. Although by themselves, the people are a pile of ingredients full of potential, when they are combined the chef has a delectable dish, and a recipe that will last for generations.